Pregnancy Announcement Ideas to Share the Big News

For most women, people begin asking about a baby soon after marriage. So, once you become pregnant, how do you tell people about it? Would dropping subtle hints be good enough, or should you go all out? Your first pregnancy announcement needs to be memorable. If you are already searching for “How to tell you’re pregnant?,” we suggest checking our post for DIY pregnancy announcement ideas. Whether you are looking for sneaky ways to announce pregnancy or want to make it a hilarious surprise announcement, our fantastic compilation of over 40 ways to break the news is just what you need. Ideas of pregnancy announcement don’t need to be expensive; they should fit in your budget as well. These custom announcement ideas are sure to make your announcement memorable in everyone’s hearts.

When and How to Announce Your Pregnancy?

Deciding when to share your pregnancy news is a personal decision. There is no right or wrong time. Many couples wait until after the first trimester (around 12 weeks), when the risk of miscarriage drops and early symptoms have eased. By then, you’ll likely have had your first ultrasound, giving you more confidence in the pregnancy (1).

However, there’s no hard rule: some choose to share earlier with close friends and family for emotional support, while others wait longer till the second trimester or even after the 20-week scan, especially if there’s a history of complications. What matters is your comfort level and medical assurance. If you feel ready and safe medically and emotionally, that moment is yours to decide.

Before sharing your exciting news with everyone, take a moment to plan how you’d like to announce it and to whom. You might choose to share the news in person, over a phone call, via video chat, on social media, or even by sending a beautiful pregnancy announcement card.

Here’s a general order that many people follow when revealing their pregnancy to loved ones, which might help you decide who to tell first and how to do it:

1. Partner

If you didn’t discover the news together, your partner is usually the first person you’ll want to tell. There are so many creative and heartfelt ways to surprise them with the big reveal—some of which we’ll share below!

2. Parents and immediate family

Every family is different, but most parents-to-be like to share the joy with their kids, parents, and in-laws, the soon-to-be grandparents, soon after. You could tell your children first, followed by your parents, siblings, and close relatives. If some family members live far away, a virtual pregnancy announcement can be just as special.

3. Closest friends

Your best friends deserve a memorable reveal as well! You can share the news with them one-on-one, during a group chat, or surprise them during a planned brunch or get-together.

4. Extended family

Next, you may want to share the happy news with your wider family, like grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. You can do this in person, over a video call, or by sending a personalised card.

5. Boss and colleagues

When it’s time to share your pregnancy at work, it’s best to start with your boss before letting others know. The timing will depend on your comfort level, your role, how supportive your workplace is, and any company policies regarding maternity or paternity leave.

6. Acquaintances and Others

For neighbours, distant friends, or people you see occasionally, a social media post is often the easiest and most fun way to spread the news. Of course, if you happen to meet them in person, sharing it naturally in conversation works just as well!

Unique Ways to Announce Pregnancy to Your Husband

Here are ten ways to break the news to your man:

1. Coffee Shop

Have a coffee-craving husband? Take him to the best coffee shop in town and make sure you have a pen with you. When you are ready, take his cup and scribble something onto it and keep him guessing. It can have a pregnancy quote, such as “Guess why I cannot have coffee?” with the doodle of a baby.

2. Bookworm Hubby

This is perfect for the bookworm husband! Get a hardcover book on parenting, such as the following, with a message scribbled inside! Try to figure out what he loves and buy a book based on that.

3. Ambitious Husband

Buy “Smart Money Smart Kids: Raising the next generation to win ”

4. Funny Husband

Buy “Reason My Kid is Crying” by Greg Pembroke. It will have him in splits!

5. Out of the Box Husband

Buy him the book, “The Myth of the Spoiled Child” by Alfie Kohn.

6. Grocery List

Is your husband the kind of person who helps you out with the groceries? The next time you hand him a list, feel free to pepper it with items such as baby shoes, toys, and a bouncy seat.

7. In The Form Of a Card

If you feel you would be too overwhelmed to say it in person, let a card do the talking for you. You can make a card and stick the pregnancy stick inside for effect.

8. Refer To Your Parents As Grandma/Grandpa

This is for those who do not want to beat around the bush but still want to have some fun.

9. Bun In The Oven Trick

Are you good at baking? Try making buns in the oven, signifying your baby growing inside. Take your time with it and make sure you drop in subtle hints like “just look at our baby grow”. This works best if he is already suspecting that you are pregnant.

10. ‘Welcome Home Daddy’ Banner

Is he a workaholic and works late? That is perfect because it gives you enough time to set up a banner at home. It is a good way to break the news to an unsuspecting husband.

11. Sports Fan Hubby

Is your hubby a sports junkie? What’s his favourite team and sport? You could buy him a kiddie football or cricket set, and he is bound to be excited!

12. Takeaway Food

You could hide a pregnancy stick in one of the boxes of the takeaway food.

13. Reverse Proposal

Buy a ring, get down on one knee, and ask him if he is ready to be a Daddy.

Amazing Ideas to Reveal Your Pregnancy to Your Family

When we talk about breaking it to the family, it refers to your parents, siblings, and kids. Here are a couple of cute ways to tell parents you’re pregnant:

1. Baby Books

The arrival of a baby can be difficult for a child in the family who gets all the attention. Buying a book that can help them instill the values of a good sibling can go a long way. Books like “The New Baby” by Mercer Mayer and “I am a Big Brother” by Caroline Jayne Church are good options for breaking the news.

2. Stories

It can be challenging to break the news of the pregnancy to a toddler, as they may not grasp the concept. An ideal way to get them involved is to compare the foetus’s weekly growth to that of fruits or vegetables. A weekly narrative is bound to make them eager to have a sibling.

3. Custom Mugs

Get some custom-made mugs with the following quotes from a different family member:

Grandparents: “Let the spoiling begin!”

Your Kids: “I’m going to be a big sister/brother.”

Uncle: “I’ve been promoted to uncle.”

4. Cakes

Who does not love cake? Get a baby-themed cake and break the news to your family!

5. Name Tags

A fun little exercise to break the news to the kids is getting some name tags. Involve your parents, siblings, and the kids by giving them name tags. This idea has the added advantage that it familiarises them with the family tree.

6. Napkin Effect

Call the family over for dinner. Place a napkin under each of their plates with the new designations that they now carry. For example, your sister’s napkin would read, “You have been promoted to ‘Best Auntie”. Your parents could get something like “From Best Parents to Best Grandparents”.

7. Scrabble

Is your family the type that loves to play Scrabble? You and your spouse can drop some high-value hints such as “BUMP” (worth 10 points),” BABY” (worth 11 points), or MOMMY (worth 14 points).

8. Treasure Hunt

A great way to break the news is a treasure hunt, as it is a fun activity for the entire family. You could use clues like a pregnancy stick, an ultrasound image, or baby clothes as a final hint.

9. SMS Baby Delivery

Are any of your parents avid online shoppers? When they are not looking, change your contact name on their phone to an online shopping platform such as Flipkart, Snapdeal, or Amazon. Then send a message from your phone like, “Your delivery for One Sweet Loving Grandchild will be delivered in 9 months”.

10. Lockets

Get some custom-made lockets for your parents with the engraving “It is unexpected, but we are expecting”.

Pregnancy Announcement Ideas for Grandparents

Telling your favourite people that they’re going to be grandparents is one of life’s most heartwarming moments. Check out these sweet and creative ways to share the big news with the to-be grandparents!

1. Custom Grandparent T-Shirts

You can get T-shirts custom-printed for your parents that say “Promoted to Grandma” or “Soon-to-be Grandma.” Watch their expressions change from confusion to pure joy as they realise the message on the gifted T-shirts.

2. Personalised Photo Frame

Frame a photo that says “Coming Soon – Your Grandbaby” or include an ultrasound image. It’s a keepsake they’ll treasure forever. Photo frames are perfect physical gifts that people can keep as a keepsake for a long time.

3. Surprise Gift Box

Turn gifts into a surprise by wrapping a tiny onesie, pacifier, or baby shoes in a gift box. When they open it, let them piece together the surprise themselves. The moment will be priceless!

4. Family Dinner Reveal

What’s better than any gift? A family time. Yes, host a family meal and slip in subtle clues, like “Baby on Board” napkins or baby-themed desserts. The moment they catch on to your clues will be unforgettable!

5. Scratch Card Surprise

If your parents are a fanatic for scratch cards (yes, some do), then try this pregnancy reveal idea. Give them custom scratch cards, like lottery tickets, where beneath the silver scratch area lies the message: “You’re going to be grandparents!” “We’re expecting!” or “Baby due [month].” Watch their surprise when you gift them scratch cards, and even a bigger surprise when they see the hidden message.

6. Photo Session Reveal

A photo session reveal is one of the quickest, simplest, and most subtle expecting announcement ideas. During a group photo, ask everyone to say “We’re having a baby!” instead of “Cheese.” Capture your parents’ reactions when they realise what they just heard and click those candid smiles, as they will be worth their weight in gold.

Cute and Funny Ways to Announce Your Pregnancy to Friends

Looking for cute expecting announcements to reveal your pregnancy? Announcing your pregnancy to friends is one area where you can try out daring and funny ways without worrying about social repercussions. Here are some cherry-picked funny pregnancy announcement ideas:

1. Pregnancy T-shirt

Call your friends over and surprise them with a custom-made T-shirt with the print “Napping for two”. Your husband can join in too, with a T-shirt saying “Man behind the bump”.

2. Kiddie Themed Restaurant

Take your friends out to a kids’ restaurant and break the news to them.

3. Using Cards

This is ideal for sending to friends who stay in different cities.

4. Dinner

Sometimes, the best way to break the news is a good meal. Call your closest friends’ homes for a meal, and you can start by saying something like “I will be eating for two today”.

5. Use Baby Riddles

Is your friend circle the type that loves asking riddles to one another? Pick up the phone and ask them questions like “What gets a shower but never gets wet?” or “I am twelve weeks old and as big as a plum, what am I?”

6. Writing a Letter

Do you belong to a club/group with loads of friends? Rather than calling them individually, you could write a letter which can then be stuck on the notice board. Some of the writing tips include:

• Write with an element of surprise (keep them guessing)
• The tone should be happy
• Thank them in advance for their support

7. Gift Wine

Are you and your friends the drinking type? Buy some wine in a bottle and gift it to them with the quote “Drink this on my behalf.”

8. Yell ‘I am Pregnant’

When you go out with a large group of your friends, you are bound to take a group photo. Instead of saying cheese, yell “I am Pregnant!” just before the photo gets clicked.

9. Recruiting the Kids

No one says it better than kids do. Get your little son or daughter to hold up a toy stethoscope against your belly when you are busy talking to your friends.

10. While You are Shopping

When you are out shopping with your girlfriends, you can stop by the baby section with a dramatic pause and make the announcement.

Twin Pregnancy Announcement Ideas

It’s an absolute joy when we hear about a baby incoming, but how about two? Revealing that you’re expecting twins is a double blessing, and that news deserves a fun, creative reveal! Try these playful twin birth announcement ideas to reveal that you are expecting double trouble.

1. “Double Trouble” Onesies

Take a picture of two matching onesies that say “Double Trouble” or “Copy + Paste,” and share it with your loved ones, either in person or on social media. Onesies are a classic and adorable choice for baby announcement photos.

2. Ultrasound Reveal with a Twist

Want nothing fancy-schmancy? Frame your twin ultrasound with a caption like “Two little miracles are on the way.” Simple, emotional, and clear.

3. “Eating for Three” Photo

For this idea, pose with your partner holding a sign that says “Eating for Three.” It’s a lighthearted way to drop the hint that two babies are coming.

4. Balloon or Box Reveal

Fill a big box with two sets of baby balloons or tiny shoes. When opened, the visual of “two” makes the reveal instantly clear.

5. Twin-Themed Pet Announcement

If you have pets at home, you can include them in your pregnancy announcement. Place two collars or baby bibs near them with a sign saying, “Guard duty x2 starting soon!”

6. Puzzle Reveal for Family

Send your family a jigsaw puzzle that, when completed, reads “We’re having twins!” It’s thoughtful and interactive.

Sibling Pregnancy Announcement Ideas

Including your kiddo in the pregnancy announcement is a heartfelt way to announce the good news. It makes the older child feel part of the celebration, instead of feeling left out. Check out these oh-so amazing sibling pregnancy reveal ideas.

1. Big Brother/Big Sister T-Shirt

Dress your child in a shirt that says “Promoted to Big Sister/Brother” and share a photo or video with your family. Their innocence adds charm to the reveal.

2. Sibling Photoshoot

Do a photoshoot where your child holds a sonogram or baby shoes with a caption like “My playmate arriving soon!”

3. Puzzle Reveal with a Twist

Commission a custom jigsaw puzzle whose completed image or message reads, “Baby arriving [due date].” But add a twist: hide one or two “decoy” pieces that don’t belong, so the puzzle seems unsolvable until you slip in the final correct piece, and the message is clear. The message may read like, “You’re going to be a [brother/sister]!” or “Mom and Dad are adding another player to our team!”

4. Board Game Reveal Night

Host a custom board or card game night. In one of the game cards or on the game board’s final square, include the reveal message: “We’re having a baby!” or “You’re going to be a [brother/sister]!” For example, adapt a “trivia night” to include a surprise question that concludes with your pregnancy. Your child(ren) will play along expecting fun, but the reveal sneaks into the game’s climax, leading to a genuine surprise amidst laughter and competition.

5. Toy-Themed Reveal

Line up your child’s favourite toys, ending with a tiny pair of baby shoes or a rattle. When they inspect and say that the toy isn’t theirs, you can say something like, “Yes, it’s for your playmate.” 

6. Baking Together Reveal

Let your little one help you bake cookies shaped like baby bottles or rattles. Share the sweet treats (and the news) with family afterward.

Ideas to Announce Second or Third Baby

Announcing that your family is growing again can be equally exciting! Try these fun and sentimental maternity announcement ideas to share the news that baby number two or three is on the way!

1. Message in a Time Capsule Reveal

Create a small time capsule box (or jar) filled with baby-related items such as tiny socks, a pacifier, an ultrasound scan print, or a letter to your future child. During a family gathering or dinner, present the box and invite loved ones to open it together. As they dig through the keepsakes, the ultrasound or the letter revealing “surprise, we’re expecting” becomes the final reveal.

2. Fortune Cookie Fortune Reveal

Order (or bake) custom fortune cookies whose hidden slip reads something like, “Your new grandchild arrives [due date]” or “Baby on the way.” Serve them at the end of a family dinner in place of dessert. As everyone cracks open their cookie, the reveal feels like a fun twist on a familiar tradition. It’s surprising, low-pressure, and allows you to capture reactions in the moment.

3. Photo Film Strip Reveal

Design a mock “film strip” (horizontal or vertical) of sequential photos: first of everyday moments, then a blank frame, then the scan or baby shoes. Present it as a framed set or in an album and let viewers flip through. At first glance, it looks like a regular photo strip, but when they see the ultrasound or baby items at the end, the reveal is subtle yet powerful. You can even hang it in a place where people naturally glance (for example, a hallway wall) to spark curiosity before they study it.

4. Countdown Clock Gift

Give your family member a decorative countdown clock or digital countdown widget, set to the expected due date. Let them notice it on their own: the clock might display days, hours, minutes until “Baby arrives.” As they ask or probe, you can reveal the meaning behind it. This method is subtle and elegant with no immediate dramatic moment, but once noticed, the reaction is genuine.

5. Hidden Message in a Book

Take a meaningful book (maybe a favourite children’s book, parenting guide, or photo book) and insert a small, printed “announcement page” towards the middle, like a page that says, “Chapter beginning: new baby arriving [month].” Gift it wrapped and suggest reading it together. As the recipient flips pages, they reach that surprise message and realise the news. The cover looks innocent, and the reveal comes organically during a quiet reading moment.

6. Shadow-Box Silhouette Reveal

Create a shadow-box frame (depth box) with layered silhouettes. For example, cut out shapes of two hands forming a heart, and behind (at a deeper layer), place an ultrasound image or a tiny pair of baby feet. Under natural light or with a backlight, the silhouette pops first, but when the viewer looks deeper, they see the baby reveal. This artful method feels elegant and delicate—less of a prank, more of a reveal to be discovered at one’s own pace.

Cool Ways to Announce Pregnancy on Social Media

Whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, or even WhatsApp, photos and words together are crucial in conveying the online pregnancy announcement effectively. Here are ten ideas for pregnancy announcements on Facebook that you can employ over social media:

1. Movie Theme

Posters in the form of a movie release, such as “Baby’s Day Out”, “Parenthood: Part 2” (for those with a second child), and “Daddy Day Care” for the Dads who go above and beyond when it comes to kids.

2. Cover Photo

A photo of baby shoes on Facebook with the quote “Our family will grow by two feet” is enough to get hearts melting.

3. Mobile

Put up a photo with three mobiles – two identical and one a bit smaller with a kiddie cover. The caption can read, “The next generation series is due in 9 months”.

4. Word Play with photos

Those who love to act and have a good sense of humour can try the following quotes:

• I Got Knocked Up: You pose with your husband, and he has got his boxing gloves on, aimed right at you!
• Bump Ahead: You stand next to a road sign that says “Bump ahead”. If you cannot find a road sign, you can Photoshop it next to you.

5. Photo Next to a Crib

This is a straightforward but cute way of letting people know that you are pregnant.

6. Recruiting Grandpa and Grandma

Are the grandparents-to-be also fond of social media? Recruit them as a part of your social media army with the following for each parent:

• Grandpa: The Grandpa standing proudly with the quote “Grandpas are Dads without Rules.”
• Grandma: The Grandma could be standing holding the quote “I cannot keep calm, I am going to be a Grandma.”

7. Recruiting the Family Pet

If you think recruiting your kids is cute, the family pet is not far behind:

• Dog: A picture of your pet with the caption, “Guard Dog duty begins in 9 months”.
• Cat: A picture of your pet looking at a crib with the caption, “Looks like the cat is out of the bag.”
• Hamster: A picture of your pet with the caption, “I am not the youngest anymore”.

8. Status Using Subtle Pregnancy Jokes

For those of you who like to use words rather than pictures to make an announcement, try out some funny quotes. These include “Today I learnt that 1+1=3” or “What’s better than eating for two? Shopping for two!”

9. Online platform

You can build your website chronicling all your thoughts about the impending pregnancy. You can post it on any social media and wait for all the likes and comments to come pouring in!

10. Pregnancy Stick Photo

For those who do not like to be subtle, this should be enough to get the point across.

Virtual Ways to Announce Pregnancy

If your loved ones stay away and there’s only a virtual connection between you, then don’t worry. These virtual pregnancy announcement ideas will help.

1. Video Call Surprise

Schedule a “family catch-up” video call, then hold up the ultrasound photo or a sign that says “We’re having a baby!” Watch the reactions in real-time. You can send them hints or clues first to get your vibe and what you’re hinting at. Once they do, you can show them the ultrasound photo or simply announce the good news verbally.

2. Digital Greeting Card

Animated e-invites and digital cards are today’s reveal ideas for the grand news announcement in a creative, heartfelt way.

3. Social Media Post

Share a creative photo or short video on your social handles, like a baby onesie next to your shoes with a caption, such as “Our family is growing!” You may go ahead with a collage giving a glimpse of you and your husband’s journey so far, and then in the next slide, announce the good news.

4. Reveal Through Song or Playlist

Create a custom playlist for family or friends (e.g., on Spotify) and name it something innocent like “Sunday Brunch Tunes.” At a key moment, cue a song whose title or lyrics hint at the pregnancy, such as “We’re Having a Baby” or “Bundle of Joy.”

5. GIF or Meme Reveal

Take your pregnancy announcement from boring to hilarious with Memes and GIFs. Create one or share from thousands of memes or GIFs that hint at pregnancy. GIFs are trendy, casual, and instantly shareable!

6. Emailed Ultrasound Announcement

Yes, there are some people who still have a knack for email communication. If you are connected to someone over email, send them a sweet email with your ultrasound photo attached and a note that says, “Someone can’t wait to meet you soon!”

FAQs

1. What is the best time to announce your pregnancy?

Several couples wait until the end of their first trimester (around 12 weeks) before making an announcement, as the first 12 weeks are a highly delicate time. This allows time for early scans and ensures both parents are comfortable sharing the news.

2. How can I make my pregnancy announcement more personal?

Personal touches like inside jokes, family photos, or handmade gifts make announcements more memorable. Customise your reveal to reflect your relationship and family style.

3. How can I include pets in my pregnancy reveal?

Have your pet wear a bandana that says “Guard duty starts [due date]” or “Big Brother/Big Sister.” It’s a cute and heartwarming way to involve them.

4. What are some simple but meaningful announcement ideas?

Sending a handwritten note, a video message, or showing an ultrasound photo are simple yet popular ways to announce a pregnancy.

You can use the ideas above with modifications of your own. So go forth and make the announcement!

Infographic: Unique Pregnancy Announcement Ideas

Also Read:

Second Pregnancy Announcement
Pregnancy Announcement Captions
Fall Pregnancy Announcement Ideas
Big Brother Pregnancy Announcement Ideas

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Sources References

1. NHS – When is the Best Time to Tell People You’re Pregnant?