How to Tell Your Family You're Pregnant

Last Updated: January 13, 2023 References

If you are excited about your pregnancy, you want to tell your family in a fun way. Fortunately, social media and email make it easy to make the announcement through pictures. You can also use other cute ways to announce it to your family. On the other hand, if you're a teen, you might not be quite so excited, in which case, you may need to have a serious conversation with your parents and the rest of your family.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Photos to Make the Announcement

1
Take a picture with baby shoes. One way to make the announcement is to use tiny baby shoes. You don't even need to include text. The shoes pretty much say it all.
- If you want to include some text, you could include something like "Due in October 2018."
2
Try a digital pregnancy test. Digital tests actually say the word "pregnant" on the test. What's nice about that is you can take a picture of it to share with your family on social media.^{[1]
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3
Use a copy of the first sonogram. One way to announce your pregnancy is to take a picture or make a copy the sonogram. You can send it by mail to your family members. You can also post it on social media or send it by email.^{[2]
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4
Put siblings in t-shirts. If you already have kids, you can use them to make the announcement. You have many fun options available to you when it comes to t-shirts. The shirt could say things like "I'm going to be a big sibling!" or "I'm number 1! Number 2 is coming!" You can also put shirts on your pets, as well. Take a picture of your kid or pet, and send it out to your family.^{[3]
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5
Use a pun. For instance, you could make a picture that depicts "Ice, ice, baby" from Vanilla Ice's song. Just hold up to bags of ice and point to your pregnant belly. Another way to use this method is to buy jar of Prego sauce to make the announcement, as "preggo" or "preggers" is slang for being pregnant. Take pictures with the announcement, and send it out to your family. It could be something as simple as taping an "I'm" above the "Prego" on the jar.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Other Fun Methods

1
Try a custom puzzle. At craft stores, you can buy blank puzzles. Paint or write the message that you're pregnant on the puzzle, then have your family put it together.^{[4]
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2
Use dessert. Spell out the fact that you're pregnant on a cake or with cookies. You can even do it on pie. You could write, "We're pregnant!" or "We're expecting!" Just wait until the last moment to take the lid off so it's a surprise.^{[5]
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3
Drop hints with books and movies. Try leaving books that are pregnancy-themed around your family's house. If you don't live nearby, you can try sending the books or movies to them instead.
- Some ones to try are What to Expect When You're Expecting (book) or Knocked Up (movie).
4
Address cards to "Grandparents." One way to tell your parents is to send cards to them addressing them in their new role. This works especially well if it is on Parent's Day.^{[6]
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- This suggestion works even better if you write the card as if it were from the baby.^{[7]
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- You can also send cards to new aunts and uncles.^{[8]
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5
Use a calendar. Print out a calendar that has your due date on it. Circle your due date on it, and include a message about the arrival of your new little one.
6
Bring balloons. At your next big family event, bring a big bunch of pink, blue, and white balloons. Hand them out to people, and ask them to guess what the baby will be.
7
Say it big. Try making the announcement through a big sign. For instance, sometimes you can get ballparks to put the announcement up or a favorite restaurant you frequent to put it on the company's sign out front. You could also have signs made for your family's yards, so they see the announcement in a big way.^{[9]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Having a Serious Conversation

1
Pick a good time. If you're going to have a serious conversation, it's always best to pick a time when everyone is calm and not distracted by something else. Ask your family when a good time to talk would be, if you can't seem to find a time.^{[10]
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- In addition to considering your family's schedule, think about when in the pregnancy feels right for you. Some people opt to wait until the end of the first trimester for medical reasons. Pick a timeframe that lets you feel comfortable.
- However, don't let finding a good time deter you. You have to tell your family, and if you wait until everything is perfect, you may have waited too long. It will be harder if you keep pushing it aside.
2
Start with the easiest person first. If you think telling your parents will be especially hard, it's fine to tell someone else you trust, especially if that person is in the family. Plus, that person can offer support when you do decide to tell your parents.
3
Understand how the conversation may go. If you're a teenager telling your parents about your pregnancy, it's going to be a little bit harder for you. Guessing how your parents will react can give you a chance to prepare your mind and help steer the conversation when you do have it.^{[11]
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- Think about how your parents view you having sex. If they have been adamant about you not having sex, they may react more negatively to your announcement than if they've been a bit more supportive.^{[12]
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4
Go with the main points. That is, you don't have to elaborate at first. Just get the main news out. If you're not sure if you're pregnant yet, you could say when your last period was. If you've taken a test, you could say that you've done that, and it came back positive.^{[13]
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- You could say something like, "Well, what I wanted to tell you is I think I'm pregnant. I've missed two of my periods, so I took a pregnancy test. It came back positive."
5
Stay calm. Your parents may get angry or yell. If they do, you have to try to calm your emotions. If you yell back, it's only going to make the situation worse, not better.^{[14]
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- Don't try to talk them out of their feelings. Just like you're allowed to feel how you want, so are your parents. They're just human, and they need time to process what you've said.
6
Don't be afraid to talk about your emotions. Whether or not your parents get mad, you have a right to express how you're feeling, too. Maybe you're angry at yourself or maybe you're scared but a little excited. Your parents are supposed to be there for you, even when you do something that may upset you.^{[15]
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- For instance, you could say, "I know you all are upset right now. However, I want you to know that even though I'm scared, I'm also happy."
7
Wait until everyone calms down to discuss options. If your parents start talking about what you are going to do, such as having an abortion or giving the baby up for adoption, you can ask to wait to have that part of the discussion. You should already have an idea of what you want to do, but you should give your parents a few days to calm down before you continue the discussion.
8
Remember, it's your choice. Your parents are there to guide you when it comes to your choices about your body. When it comes down to it, it's your body. What you do with your baby is ultimately up to you.
- However, some states restrict your right to have an abortion without your parents' consent under a certain age (usually 16). Some states require that your parents be notified, while others require you to have your parents' consent. If you want to have an abortion but your parents are against it, you need to check your state's laws to figure out if you can have one.^{[16]
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Expert Q&A

Question

How do I tell my grandma I'm pregnant?

Klare Heston, LCSW
Licensed Social Worker
Klare Heston is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. With experience in academic counseling and clinical supervision, Klare received her Master of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. She also holds a 2-Year Post-Graduate Certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, as well as certification in Family Therapy, Supervision, Mediation, and Trauma Recovery and Treatment (EMDR).

Klare Heston, LCSW

Licensed Social Worker

Expert Answer

Pick a quiet time away from others. You can preface your talk by letting her know you need her support and love and that you asking her to listen until you are finished talking. Convey your excitement if that's how you feel. If you aren't sure what to do about your pregnancy, express your worry or confusion.
Question

How do you tell your employer you're pregnant?

Klare Heston, LCSW
Licensed Social Worker
Klare Heston is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. With experience in academic counseling and clinical supervision, Klare received her Master of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. She also holds a 2-Year Post-Graduate Certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, as well as certification in Family Therapy, Supervision, Mediation, and Trauma Recovery and Treatment (EMDR).

Klare Heston, LCSW

Licensed Social Worker

Expert Answer

You don't owe your employer any personal details. You do, however, owe them information about any time you are planning to take off. Many women choose to not inform employers until their second trimester.
Question

How do you tell your parents?

Klare Heston, LCSW
Licensed Social Worker
Klare Heston is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. With experience in academic counseling and clinical supervision, Klare received her Master of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. She also holds a 2-Year Post-Graduate Certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, as well as certification in Family Therapy, Supervision, Mediation, and Trauma Recovery and Treatment (EMDR).

Klare Heston, LCSW

Licensed Social Worker

Expert Answer

This will vary depending on if you are excited or worried about your pregnancy and whether you are open to it or it is unplanned. If the news is not necessarily happy and clear, just do it directly and remind them that you need their love, support, and guidance. If you are excited, you could give them a grandparent onesie.