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Congratulations! You're pregnant. And you're so excited to let other people know.

But wait—when should you tell people you're expecting? Is there any reason to wait awhile before spreading the news?

There's no definite answer to that question. When and how you tell family and friends is up to you. But there are some things to consider.

Reasons you may wait to announce

First, you should know that most miscarriages occur during the first trimester (weeks 1–13). That's why some women wait until the first three months of their pregnancy have passed before telling people the happy news.

That may ring especially true for you if you've had problems early in past pregnancies. It's enough to cope with your own anxiety. You may not want to spend a lot of energy calming other people's well-intentioned worries.

But it's also OK to hold onto the news well beyond your first trimester. Pregnancy should be a special time for you and your baby. And if you'd like to have your privacy, then that's perfectly fine. 

What about work?

Fortunately, discrimination in the workplace against pregnant women is illegal. So you shouldn't have to worry about losing your job if you tell people at work.

But even if you aren't ready to tell all of your coworkers that you're pregnant, you may want to consider telling your boss. Depending on your job, he or she may need to assign you to other duties until you give birth. Tasks such as heavy lifting or working with pesticides could be harmful to you and your baby. 

Being open with your boss might also make it easier to take time off work for your prenatal checkups. You can expect to have prenatal checkups about once a month early in your pregnancy. They'll come more often as you get closer to your due date. You and your boss can discuss how you'll make up any time you miss from work.

Worried about a potential miscarriage? Learn about the signs and symptoms to watch for.  

Sources: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; March of Dimes

Reviewed 12/22/2023