Explore Your Interest
Starting a family is a really big step. Subsequently telling your partner about your pregnancy is also a major moment. It is a time filled with various emotions, from joy to nervousness. Whether the pregnancy was planned or unexpected, having this conversation requires thoughtfulness, openness, and support from both of you.
All in all, this does not have to be a boring and exhausting endeavour. There are different ways you can share the big news with your partner whilst making core, fun memories out of it!
How to Prepare Yourself for Your Pregnancy
First things first, confirm your pregnancy. Make sure you are absolutely certain before telling the father. While at-home pregnancy tests are generally reliable, it’s best to get confirmation from a doctor. Blood tests are done at hospitals to confirm pregnancies but might take a few days for the results to be out.
The emotions from a pregnancy, whether planned or unplanned, can be complex. It’s important to acknowledge these emotions. If you’re not ready personally, financially, or in your relationship, you might feel negative emotions. Even if you can afford to support a child, you may still have mixed feelings. An unplanned pregnancy can be very disruptive, and it’s normal to feel a range of emotions.
Your feelings about a pregnancy will be influenced by various factors, including your age, circumstances, whether the pregnancy was planned, how prepared you feel for pregnancy and parenting, and how the pregnancy occurred. All these elements will shape how prepared, anxious, or uncertain you and your partner may feel. Once you’ve processed your initial reactions, you can think about practical considerations.
How to Choose the Right Time and Place to Tell Your Partner
Choosing the right time and place to tell your partner about your pregnancy is crucial. A private, comfortable setting and timing when your partner is relaxed and receptive ensures a positive and memorable experience, enhancing the joy of sharing this life-changing news.
Tell your partner as soon as possible: Before planning a creative pregnancy announcement, you might wonder about the timing. It’s common to question how long to wait and how to tell your partner, especially if it’s unplanned. The timing is personal, but it’s typical to tell your partner as soon as possible, as they can support you during the early stages of pregnancy.
Let your partner be calm and relaxed: In truth, there is no ‘perfect’ time to tell your partner, but you should at the very least try to wait for your partner to be slightly calm and relaxed. If either of you is stressed or busy, it’s better to wait. Avoid discussing an unexpected pregnancy right after an argument or before an important yet stressful situation.
Tell them in a private setting and in person: It’s best to tell your partner about your pregnancy in person and in a private, comfortable setting, like your home, for an honest and open conversation. If you don’t want to do it at home, you can choose a comfortable spot for the conversation, like a coffee shop or restaurant. Overall, it’s best to have this conversation in a quiet, private place.
Choose a distraction-free time to focus on each other: When you talk with your partner, stay calm and be ready to listen. Select a time when you can focus on each other without distractions, instead of during dinner with friends or while watching TV. Sharing the news in person is ideal, but if your partner lives in a different city entirely or is deployed, using a phone call or video chat is perfectly fine.
8 Creative Ways to Announce Your Pregnancy
If you and your partner have been trying for a baby and have been planning a pregnancy, you are most likely to be much more excited than nervous. For that reason alone, sharing the news with your significant other does not have to be a straight and boring affair. You can put a creative and fun spin on it without spending too much money.
8 Creative Ways to Announce Your Pregnancy
Find or design a clever t-shirt to announce your pregnancy with a cute and straightforward message like “Best Dad!”. You can also customise jerseys of your favourite football team for you, your partner, and the baby. If you already have kids, you can have your children wear shirts with messages like “Big Sis!” to reveal the news to your partner.
A cute and lasting way to share the news of your pregnancy with your partner is by customising a coffee mug, wine glass, pieces of cutlery or plates. You can add messages like “Promoted to Dad” or “World’s Best Dad” on the side of the drinkware, arm of a spoon or in the middle of a plate.
You can get your partner’s favourite dessert and have a message written on it. Bake a cake, cupcakes or doughnuts and spread the news along their top with the icing. If your significant other likes chocolates, for a sweet announcement, you can have a message imprinted on the chocolate pieces. Syrup can also be used to write “About to be a Dad” on an ice cream sundae bowl.
If you usually have a game night, let your partner piece together the news with a custom puzzle. You can customise a jigsaw puzzle that has “Dad” right in the middle or fake a crossword puzzle with the different words in a sentence like “You are about to be a dad”. You can also reveal the news yourself through a game of scrabble.
You can spell out “We’re pregnant!” on a pizza with toppings like pepperoni, pineapple or colourful peppers. You can do the same thing with whatever you order e.g. spaghetti sauce or with ketchup. You can also make dinner reservations for three at your favourite restaurant and have the staff write “Our Baby” at the third-place setting.
If you used a home test kit to confirm your pregnancy, you can tie the end of the stick with a little bow and give it as a gift. You should probably clean it slightly with a wipe first. Also, if you had a blood test done, you can put the result of the test in a mini gift bag or box. You could also write “I’m pregnant!” on a chalkboard or whiteboard and place it somewhere your partner will easily see it.
If your partner’s love language is words of affirmation, they might appreciate one of these methods more. You can write a heartfelt love letter or a little poem to your significant other announcing your pregnancy. If you have another young one in the home and you constantly have story times, you can insert your own pregnancy announcement into a children’s book and ask your partner to read it.
Pottery, painting and candle making classes are fun activities and, if they are things you and your partner enjoy, perfect ways to share the news of a baby with your person. You can paint a picture of a baby, paint the cute message on its own, imprint the message on a vase made in pottery class or give a funny custom candle to share your news in a lighthearted way. Another thing to do is paint a “nursery under construction” sign and place it in front of a spare room or customise a bookmark that announces the pregnancy.
8 Creative Ways to Announce Your Pregnancy
Find or design a clever t-shirt to announce your pregnancy with a cute and straightforward message like “Best Dad!”. You can also customise jerseys of your favourite football team for you, your partner, and the baby. If you already have kids, you can have your children wear shirts with messages like “Big Sis!” to reveal the news to your partner.
A cute and lasting way to share the news of your pregnancy with your partner is by customising a coffee mug, wine glass, pieces of cutlery or plates. You can add messages like “Promoted to Dad” or “World’s Best Dad” on the side of the drinkware, arm of a spoon or in the middle of a plate.
You can get your partner’s favourite dessert and have a message written on it. Bake a cake, cupcakes or doughnuts and spread the news along their top with the icing. If your significant other likes chocolates, for a sweet announcement, you can have a message imprinted on the chocolate pieces. Syrup can also be used to write “About to be a Dad” on an ice cream sundae bowl.
If you usually have a game night, let your partner piece together the news with a custom puzzle. You can customise a jigsaw puzzle that has “Dad” right in the middle or fake a crossword puzzle with the different words in a sentence like “ You are about to be a dad”. You can also reveal the news yourself through a game of scrabble.
You can spell out “We’re pregnant!” on a pizza with toppings like pepperoni, pineapple or colourful peppers. You can do the same thing with whatever you order e.g. spaghetti sauce or with ketchup. You can also make dinner reservations for three at your favourite restaurant and have the staff write “Our Baby” at the third place setting.
If you used a home test kit to confirm your pregnancy, you can tie the end of the stick with a little bow and give it as a gift. You should probably clean it slightly with a wipe first. Also, if you had a blood test done, you can put the result of the test in a mini gift bag or box. You could also write “I’m pregnant!” on a chalkboard or whiteboard and place it somewhere your partner will easily see it.
If your partner’s love language is words of affirmation, they might appreciate one of these methods more. You can write a heartfelt love letter or a little poem to your significant other announcing your pregnancy. If you have another young one in the home and you constantly have story times, you can insert your own pregnancy announcement into a children’s book and ask your partner to read it.
Pottery, painting and candle making classes are fun activities and, if they are things you and your partner enjoy, perfect ways to share the news of a baby with your person. You can paint a picture of a baby, paint the cute message on its own, imprint the message on a vase made in pottery class or give a funny custom candle to share your news in a lighthearted way. Another thing to do is paint a “nursery under construction” sign and place it in front of a spare room or customise a bookmark that announces the pregnancy.
When you are discussing this with a partner, consider using pronouns that highlight your shared involvement, such as “we’re pregnant” or “we’re having a baby.” This can help remind your partner that it took both of you to create this new life.
How Your Partner Might React to the News
If your partner’s reaction to your pregnancy isn’t what you expected, it can be upsetting. They might feel differently—maybe they’re excited and want to tell everyone while you’re not ready, or they’re nervous and want to keep it secret while you want to share the news. Men and women often respond differently to pregnancy news.
- Your partner might be confused, angry, scared, or even excited.
- Men don’t experience hormonal and physical changes, so the pregnancy might feel more abstract to them. It might take a couple of doctor visits before it feels real.
- They might focus on practical concerns like finances, while you may need time to process the news more emotionally.
- Men can have mixed feelings about becoming fathers, often fearing they’ll fail, which shows they care. Most parents worry about falling short, which is natural. Parenthood involves learning as you go.
Remember, your partner’s initial reaction isn’t necessarily final. They might react with panic because they’re unprepared. With time, openness, and gentleness, you can understand their true feelings.
An unplanned pregnancy in a healthy marriage is common. Marriage doesn’t automatically mean you’re ready for a child, but it means you can have a respectful conversation and support each other through this surprise.
How to Deal with Your Partner’s Reaction to the News of Your Pregnancy
- Be prepared for this and try to stay calm, even if they say hurtful things.
- Give them time and space to adjust.
- If the conversation becomes very negative or you feel threatened, remove yourself from the situation.
- Follow up and focus on the future. Your partner will probably feel overwhelmed and scared, just as you did when you first found out. Pregnancies, whether planned or unplanned, are completely life altering.
- Allow your person to work through their own thoughts and feelings before you ask how they want to proceed.
- It’s also important in this stage to be a good listener, and to allow them to be open with you.
In many cases, when unmarried, your partner may feel differently about the pregnancy than you do. This is natural, and you will need to work through these differences together.
What to do After Sharing the News of Your Pregnancy
Once you have informed your partner of your new addition to the family, the next thing to do is focus on how to keep yourself and the baby in tip top condition for the next couple of months.
- Reach out to your medical practitioner as soon as you learn you’re pregnant, ideally before the 8th week. Pregnancy may influence the treatment of any current or future health conditions.
- Initiate your antenatal care as soon as possible. Early contact ensures you receive the necessary antenatal care and information for a healthy pregnancy.
- Talk to someone and read about mental health during pregnancy, especially if you’re feeling anxious or worried. Discovering you’re pregnant can evoke a range of emotions, from joy to shock. Hormonal changes can heighten these feelings.
- Adjust your diet to meet pregnancy needs. Eat more protein, iron, and calcium. The Centre for Disease Control advises taking 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, which is often included in prenatal vitamins, to prevent birth defects.
- Focus on food safety. Steer clear of raw fish, undercooked meat, cold deli meats, and unpasteurized cheese. Limit the intake of high-mercury fish like swordfish, shark, marlin, and king mackerel to a minimum.
- Quit smoking. Smoking during pregnancy raises the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight, and birth defects. Seek help from your healthcare provider if you are finding it hard to quit and avoid secondhand smoke.
- Stop drinking alcohol. Alcohol during pregnancy can cause lifelong learning disabilities and health problems for your child. If you struggle to stop, talk to your healthcare provider or seek treatment.
- Stay physically active. Regular exercise helps prepare your body for pregnancy, labour, and delivery. It also helps to boost your self-esteem and overall mood.
- Avoid toxic exposures. Steer clear of pesticides, solvents, lead, and radiation. If your job involves these, keep your healthcare provider and employer in the loop to help stay safe.
- Review your medications and discuss all prescriptions, both over-the-counter, and herbal products with your doctor to ensure they are safe for your unborn baby.
- The decision on when to tell family and friends is personal; you might choose to tell them immediately, wait until you feel ready, or until your first ultrasound around 12 weeks.
Key Facts
- Confirm the pregnancy and ensure you have a confirmed pregnancy through a doctor’s test, as at-home tests might not always be reliable.
- Recognise that your feelings about the pregnancy will depend on various factors like your age, circumstances, and whether the pregnancy was planned.
- Acknowledge mixed feelings as it’s normal to feel a range of emotions, especially with an unplanned pregnancy. Accept these emotions before addressing practical matters.
- Choose a calm and relaxed time to tell your partner. Avoid stressful moments and select a private, comfortable setting for the conversation.
- Remain calm and ready to listen to your partner’s reaction, and ensure you have no distractions. Be prepared for various reactions from your partner. Give them time and space to process the news, and remember that their initial reaction isn’t always final.
- For planned pregnancies, you can use creative ways to share the news, such as customised shirts, drinkware, desserts, puzzles, or simple gifts like a positive test kit.
- During pregnancy, seek medical care before the 8th week and start antenatal care. Eat more protein, iron, calcium, and take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. Review all medications with your doctor to ensure they are safe for your baby.
- Avoid raw fish, undercooked meat, unpasteurized cheese, and high-mercury fish. Quit smoking and drinking. Stay active with regular exercise. Avoid toxins like pesticides, solvents, lead, and radiation.
- Decide when to tell family and friends based on your comfort level, and seek support if you receive mixed reactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your partner is not ready for parenthood, it’s essential to have an honest discussion about your options and future plans. Respect their feelings and perspectives while expressing your own, and explore supportive resources and counselling if needed.
Every individual experiences pregnancy differently, and it’s natural for partners to have varying emotions. While you may feel excited or anxious, your partner might need time to process the news. Respect their feelings and provide support as they navigate their emotions.
Feeling overwhelmed or anxious about sharing the pregnancy news is common, especially if it’s unexpected or if you’re unsure of your partner’s reaction. Take time to process your emotions and seek support from trusted friends, family members, or healthcare professionals.
Reassure your partner by expressing your confidence in their abilities and emphasising your commitment to supporting each other through the challenges of parenthood. Encourage open communication, validate their feelings, and offer practical assistance and reassurance as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your partner is not ready for parenthood, it’s essential to have an honest discussion about your options and future plans. Respect their feelings and perspectives while expressing your own, and explore supportive resources and counselling if needed.
Every individual experiences pregnancy differently, and it’s natural for partners to have varying emotions. While you may feel excited or anxious, your partner might need time to process the news. Respect their feelings and provide support as they navigate their emotions.
Feeling overwhelmed or anxious about sharing the pregnancy news is common, especially if it’s unexpected or if you’re unsure of your partner’s reaction. Take time to process your emotions and seek support from trusted friends, family members, or healthcare professionals.
Reassure your partner by expressing your confidence in their abilities and emphasising your commitment to supporting each other through the challenges of parenthood. Encourage open communication, validate their feelings, and offer practical assistance and reassurance as needed.
1. A Woman’s Pregnancy Centre. “How To Tell Your Partner You’re Pregnant”.
2. Alpha Pregnancy Centre. “I’m Afraid of How My Partner Will React to My Unplanned Pregnancy”.
3. American Adoptions. “How to Tell the Father About an Unplanned Pregnancy.”
4. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. (May, 2024). “About Folic Acid”.
5. Centre of Perinatal Excellence. “Coping with different reactions when sharing pregnancy news.”
6. Life Charity. “Telling Your Partner About Your Pregnancy”
7. National Health Service – NHS. (December, 2022). “Finding out you’re pregnant”.
8. Overlake Hospital Medical Center. (July, 2022). “10 Things to Do When You Find Out You’re
9. The Royal Women’s Hospital. “Now You Are Pregnant”.
10. TopLineMD. “The Best Pregnancy Reveal Announcement Ideas: 15 Ways to Share Your News”.
11. Willow Women’s Center. (May 5, 2021). “How to Tell Your Partner About an Unexpected Pregnancy”.
12. Women’s Aid Center. (March 14, 2017). “How to Discuss an Unplanned Pregnancy.”
