Finding out that you’re pregnant is one of the best feelings a woman can experience — especially if you’re like me, who waited 3 years before actually conceiving. Making baby announcements is just the kind of happy news that you just have to share with those close to your heart.
You also don’t need to be Kim Kardashian or Meghan Markle to make one. As a proud mother (or father), you have every right to tell anyone or everyone about this achievement in whatever manner you wish. You can blast a message to all your relatives and friends, post your first ultrasound scan on Facebook, or make a short video about it. Celebrations like this are meant to be shared.
When my obstetrician-gynaecologist finally confirmed that I was with a child, my husband and I immediately told our parents… for obvious reasons. But when it comes to telling other people — extended family and close friends included — we really had to pause and mull things over. We even asked our parents to keep it under wraps until we feel that the time is right to let the cat out of the bag.
It’s not that we think it’s none of other people’s business or anything, but we just didn’t want to put the horse ahead of the cart. For Salman and I, it was important to leave a room for all possibilities — including the unfortunate ones like miscarriage.
Previous Blog: So, when are you gonna have a baby?
It may sound a little bit pessimistic, but that was the reality for us at that point. I was 32 when I first conceived and being 33 now isn’t exactly considered as ideal for a pregnancy. We also knew some friends and relatives, who have had miscarriages or had experience pregnancy complications, and their stories reminded us that not every implantation leads to a smooth conception.
Yes, the probability of having a miscarriage may have significantly dropped after the 12th week. But even when I went past that stage, we still didn’t make a big reveal. The excitement was no longer there for me to make a dramatic baby announcement like I’ve always pictured in my head.
Things also started to get real for us. Me experiencing Hyperemesis Gravidarum or severe morning sickeness really made us worry about our baby’s safety. I was just feeling too sick to care. My husband was also the secretive type and he never liked bringing attention to himself. And since all the people that I’m closest to are in the Philippines, it was easier for us to keep the happy news to ourselves unless we are asked about it.
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Of course, I told a couple of friends over virtual chats and Skype calls about it. And for us, that was enough. We really didn’t feel the need to issue a Press Release type of statement published on our social media account.
I was actually in my fifth month into the pregnancy when, knowing that all those close to me were already privately made aware about it, that I began to talk about this wonderful journey publicly in a non-news, tongue-in-cheek manner. Looking back, it kinda makes me regret downplaying it. I can think of a lot of fun, creative ways to drop our baby announcement now. Sayang!
And it was only around the sixth month when we both completely processed the reality of my pregnancy. It eventually turned into an inspiration behind the existence of this very blog, which I have to admit is almost like an after-thought. Because I wasn’t able to document the early stage of my pregnancy, (I wasn’t able to take weekly photos of my baby bump or anything like that), I was hell bent on making up for lost time, and I’m glad to be able to share all these things with you through this blog.
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It can be very scary about the unknown especially when it comes to pregnancy. All you would want is a healthy child so it’s understandable, Great post thanks for sharing your experience!
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It’s exactly how I feel. Thanks for taking the time to read, Lanesha 🙂
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Awh I love this post! It is so exciting knowing you will be a mummy very soon! Congratulations xx
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Aww, you’re too sweet Liv! Thank you for dropping by 😀
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How exciting! Congratulations
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Thanks so much, Laura 🙂
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Congratulations! I think it sounds like you went about things in the most sensible way – personally I’ve become a bit jaded with the way everyone has to try and find a “cutesy” way to announce their pregnancies, trying to outdo each other with Pinterest-ability. People had babies for thousands of years without doing that!
I think if I ever get pregnant, I will probably follow your example. Those who need to know will know, and those who don’t will find out some other way.
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Hahaha I somehow feel the same way too. It’s just too much effort to execute and most of them are done in a very ostentatious way nowadays. Kinda takes away the profound joy of simply expecting, doesn’t it?
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It is very sensitive to wait a few months to make the announcement, specially since it is a private matter and you want to be sure everything is ok before talking family and friends. I truly hope everuthing is great, and wish you the best of the lucks.
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Thanks so much, Allegra 🙂 So far, so good. I hope it stays that way until my due date end of this month 🙂
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Congratulations to you both
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Thanks, Siobhain. 🙂 You have such a lovely name 🙂
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First of all, Congratulations! Loved this post. You have a great blog, Looking forward to read more posts.
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Awww, that’s really flattering to hear 🙂 Thanks so much, Annabelle. Glad to hear you enjoyed dropping by 🙂
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I love baby announcements but it’s a very personal thing and people should do it as big or as little as the want to. I didn’t use Facebook when I first found out and I knew from 3 weeks do we just told close friends and family and it got around by word of mouth.
When we adopted our daughter we couldn’t make big announcements and can’t put photos out there until her adoption order is complete so the day she came home I just changed my cover photo to a Lego family – it let people know it had happened.
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Yes, I agree. To each his own, I guess. A Lego family photo is so cute! 🙂 My husband would approve LOL Very creative.
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It’s the only way we can keep the super hero’s identity secret 🤣
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Thank you for sharing this! Morning sickness was no fun especially at work… watching my favourite food go down the drain was so sad…and I love to eat! I had seen a traditional chinese medicine and acupuncturist for years so that helped quite a bit especially after I developed sciatica… and till this day it still can act up…
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It was so tough for me, it was hard not to cry after every throw up. 😦
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Firstly, a huge CONGRATS, I love hearing baby news. I would probably be the same, keeping it quiet for as long as possible, because it is such a scary time and I think as a pregnant mother too I would always be weary! This is fabulous news and thank you so much for sharing with us!!
Charlene McElhinney
https://charlenemcelhinney.co.uk
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Thanks, Charlene! Even now I’m almost due, I’m still worried. I guess, that’s always gonna part and parcel of becoming a mom.
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As exciting as pregnancy is, it’s also a scary time, full of unknowns. I lost my first baby at 8 weeks, so when I got pregnant again, I waiting to get excited about it. I was 4 months before I started to announce it. Announcing pregnancy is different for everyone. Great post!
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I’m sorry to hear about your loss but am glad to hear you still got your bundle of joy soon after. Hope your child is doing great!:) Thanks for dropping by 🙂
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This is still very cute and charming, done in your own way. Congratulations! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
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Thanks, Savannah! 🙂
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Congrats girl!!! Don’t throw out your pre-baby clothes just yet, I did that (sold them) and now almost 2 years later, I have nothing nice to wear!
I totally get not wanting a big announcement. We didn’t have one either, hehe. Just posted an ultrasound scan at 6 months on fb. 🙂
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Haha nice advice 🙂 I haven’t got the time to do that yet but I’m actually hoping breastfeeding will make me payat 😝 so Ill keep them around for awhile I guess LOL
If I get another chance, I’ll probably get more creative with my next announcement on FB too. But that’s just about it hehe
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Or how about a “welcome to the outside world baby ezra” kind of post? Since you’re so close to the finish line. 🙂 Just make sure you tell anyone who visits you not to post ahead of you. My SIL posted Maxie’s pictures on FB while I was still asleep at the recovery room, I was so pissed. Everyone has seen my baby before I did. 😀
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OMG, that’s so annoying! She was probably so excited to see your baby she didn’t realize the privilege she robbed you off. I’ll start printing cards reminding them to not take photo of the baby. LOL.
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Love this- I think I’m more like you… the idea of a big announcement really isn’t my thing either. I’m getting married next summer and we want to try after that, and I’ll be around the same age too. I think you should do what feels right to you. For me, I think it’ll be the same. Nothing big. Just the close people in my life and then eventually the rest! 🙂 Congrats and best of luck!
xo Chelsea | https://completelychelsea.com
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Oh congrats on your engagement and upcoming wedding! A really exciting time 🙂 Hope everything goes smoothly for you and your fiancé.
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Thank you!
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Thanks for your kind words. So flattered to hear this!
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Congratulations! Pregnancy is a very personal experience, and it’s great that you chose to disclose it how you wanted to and when you were ready.
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