Friday, 29 June 2012

Pregnancy Etiquette Guide: When to Announce Pregnancy


Q. When should I tell people that I'm pregnant?

A. It is fine to share the news with family and friends whenever you want. Although some people wait until after the first trimester -- when there's less risk of miscarriage -- you don't have to keep the news a secret if you don't want to.

Still, there are some benefits to keeping quiet for a while. One disadvantage of telling everybody early is that they will be asking, how are you feeling? for months, and you may grow tired of answering. Holding off a bit may also spare some unnecessary worry. Because older relatives are from generations when things went wrong more often than happens now, they may be really anxious about your pregnancy.

As for coworkers and bosses, wait as long as possible. Hold off until the end of your first trimester -- even longer if you are not showing or if the news could interfere with a promotion. Then privately tell your boss. You could say I have exciting news to tell you: My husband and I are expecting a baby in [give the month you're due]. Reassure him or her that you will continue working for as long as possible and that you plan to return after the baby is born.  Because your boss may want to discuss matters immediately, be sure to have researched the company's maternity-leave policy beforehand.

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