Telling people you’re pregnant
You might be felling excited and want to tell everyone straightaway about your news. Or you might feel happier waiting to tell people after you’ve seen your baby on the first scan. It’s totally up to you and what you are comfortable with.
Telling your friends and family about your pregnancy
You might have noticed that lots of couples wait until the three month mark before sharing their pregnancy news. The risk of miscarriage goes down from this point in the pregnancy.
If you do have a miscarriage though, you’re likely to need close family and friends’ support. For this reason you could think about telling just a few people early on.
Confiding in a select few might also help if you’re struggling with exhaustion, sickness or anxiety in the first trimester. They might be able to help out or just be there to listen.
When should you tell your boss that you’re pregnant?
You don't have to tell your employer about your pregnancy until 15 weeks before the beginning of the week the baby is due (around 25 weeks). It’s usually a good idea to let them know sooner though, so they can support you and make any adjustments you might need.
Your employer is required to give you time off for antenatal appointments. If they know about your pregnancy it will be easier for you to make arrangements.
If you work in a job that might be unsafe in pregnancy, you should tell your manager early on. Once you tell your employer about your pregnancy and put it in writing, they need to do a risk assessment. They will need to make sure the kind of work you do, the amount you are expected to do and the place you work in are not harmful to you or your baby.
If you are suffering from morning sickness you might also want to let them know so that they can support you if you’re feeling nauseous or throwing up.
Read more about early pregnancy
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Dos and don'ts for a safer pregnancy
Congratulations on your pregnancy! This page covers the evidence-based recommendations from midwives of things to do and not do in pregnancy
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Check how healthy you are
Find out how healthy you are with our simple calculator tools and see what changes you can make to help you have a healthier pregnancy.
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First trimester worries
Smoking, drinking, folic acid and miscarriage. Get answers to some of the common worries in the first trimester of pregnancy
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First trimester trials
Nausea, extreme tiredness, sore breasts, cramps... the first trimester is not always easy. Here’s some advice to get you through the first 12 weeks.
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10 pregnancy myths
You don’t need to kick your caffeine habit completely. Flying is fine. And sex actually gets better (for some). The truth behind 10 of the most misunderstood pregnancy myths.
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10 common pregnancy complaints
You may have heard about morning sickness and extreme tiredness, but what about these other common but less talked about pregnancy symptoms.
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The booking appointment
Your first antenatal appointment with a midwife is called a 'booking' visit and will take longer than later visits.
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Morning sickness - information and support
It's very common to feel sick during the first few months of pregnancy, and sometimes for a bit longer.
Sources
- NICE (2014), Clinical Guideline 194, Antenatal and postnatal mental health: clinical management and service guidance: http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg192 [accessed 29/03/2018]
- Macdonald S, Magill-Cuerden J, Mayes’ midwifery, fourteenth edition, London Balliere Tindall, 2011: 235
- Gov.uk, 'Pregnat employee rights': https://www.gov.uk/working-when-pregnant-your-rights [accessed 29/03/2018]
ℹLast reviewed on April 10th, 2018. Next review date April 10th, 2021.
Comments
Please note that these comments are monitored but not answered by Tommy’s. Please call your GP or maternity unit if you have concerns about your health or your baby’s health.
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