Ideas for Announcing You're Expecting

Telling Your Spouse or Partner

• Tell your spouse or partner you are pregnant by leaving hints around the house, in his car or other places he frequents. Hang a pacifier from the rearview mirror in his vehicle with a little note attached such as, "You will need this in nine months." Write him a letter from the baby about her excitement at meeting him in nine months. Scatter baby-related items around the house for him to find such as bottles, diapers, baby clothes and socks. Place the positive pregnancy test in his briefcase to find when he gets to work.

Telling Your Kids

• Telling your kids that you are expecting is a discussion that should not be taken lightly. Try to wait until your second trimester when the risk of miscarriage is lower to announce the good news, preferably not until after you start showing. Don't attribute morning sickness, fatigue and other symptoms to the pregnancy so your child won't associate this pregnancy with bad feelings. Give your kids a gift such as a book that explains what being a big sibling means when announcing your pregnancy, and explain that Mommy and Daddy will need their help with the new baby.

Telling Your Close Family and Friends

• Holidays and special occasions provide for an opportunity to tell your close friends and family. Choose the holiday nearest to the time you got your confirmation of pregnancy when your loved ones will be getting together. Have the ultrasound picture framed, and give to your mother, aunts or other family members. Include a pregnancy announcement card in your holiday card for Christmas. On the Christmas tree, hang a pacifier, ultrasounds picture or positive pregnancy test. Wear a shirt announcing your pregnancy such as "Baby On Board" with an arrow pointing to your belly. Get your kids or nieces and nephews involved with T-shirt announcements like "I'm Going To Be a Big Brother" or "I'm The Big Cousin."

Telling Your Distant Relatives

• Announcing your pregnancy might prove to be more difficult for your distant relatives and friends. Send out printed pregnancy announcement you made yourself or purchased at a gift shop with the ultrasound photo. Use the Internet as a means to make the announcement with e-card pregnancy announcements, or post an ultrasound picture or picture of your positive pregnancy test on a social networking site such as Facebook. Post these photos to your blog as well to let the rest of your online friends know.