When the time comes to announce your pregnancy news to the world, you may be expecting just one or two standard reactions from your nearest and dearest; excitement and congratulations.
But in reality, from our experience there are actually a bucket load of unexpected responses you’ll receive from your family, friends, colleagues and even strangers…so far the tally is at 14 and counting!
Here goes…
Extreme excitement – from squeals of delight and excitable ‘whoops’ to tears of happiness and jumping for joy. Usually supplied in abundance by your family and close friends, especially if this is your first baby.
The sex crazed – “Is it a boy or girl?” “Are you going to find out?” “Is that a tiny willy on the ultrasound scan?!” Chill out guys, it’s still way to early to tell. And no, that’s the baby’s leg…
A buying opportunity – “We’ll buy you the pram!” “I’ll buy you the cot!” “Aaaahhh, let’s go shopping!” The standard response from your mum and other shopaholics.
The forward planners – “When’s the due date?” “I’ll start planning the Baby shower” “Are you going to be moving?” “Have you thought about schools? Hold your horses, people! Let’s get this baby born first.
The clueless – “Was it an accident?” Easily one of the most unwanted reactions in my book!
Congratulatory – “Well done old chap. Well done.” “Must be good to know the old pipes are working properly!” This crew of (mainly) older men, are always extremely proud and the first to crack open the champagne or a box of cigars.
The hand me downers – “I have everything you’ll need…just let me know and I’ll get it down from the loft.” Everything from baby grows and slightly-chewed toys to much-loved play mats and food-encrusted car seats, this lovely group are ever so generous.
The exhausted parents – “That’s it, you’re life’s over!” “Get as much sleep as you can now, because when the baby arrives…” Guaranteed to bring excited new parents back to reality with a bump.
The name grabbers – “You should call it [INSERT THEIR NAME]”
The experienced advisers – “Make sure you go to the cinema lots before the baby arrives!” “If you ever need a babysitter…” “Here are 15 different pregnancy to baby books you must read!” God, I hope there’s not an exam at the end of all this…
The Spanish Inquisition – “So, when did you do the deed?” Not want you want to be asked by anyone, let alone your parents! *cringe*
The pregnant friends – “This is so amazing…our babies will be best friends too!”
The secret baby carriers – “OMG! You’re pregnant?! So am I! But don’t tell anyone yet…” Oh don’t you worry; after all this time we’re now pretty good at keeping a secret.
The caring souls – “How are you feeling?” “Has the morning sickness get only better?” “Is there anything at all I can do to help?” Arguably the sweetest group of them all.
24 weeks and 6 days left to go…
Have you experienced any different reactions from your friends and family when announcing your pregnancy news?
As always, we’d love to hear about your experiences too so please do share your stories with the group via the comments section below.
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My sister asked me if I was worried about having the baby. Fairly standard, I guess. She then clarified that what she meant was whether I was worried that I’d have the baby and then realise that I wasn’t in love with my husband any more and I would ‘end up’ a single mum with a kid screwed up by a divorce. ‘Um, no’, was all I could manage…True story.
Author
There are no words…
I had every single one of these! I was asked by a colleague in front of several other people “was it planned?” That was the first thing she said, with a disgusted look on her face, no congratulations or anything!
Author
Bloody hell! Some people are just so thoughtless! #engagebrainbeforespeaking
This is all so true! Featuring you as one of my fav three on #thelist this week. Thanks for linking up 🙂
Author
Oh wow – what an honour! Thank you so much!
Ah I remember experiencing all of these. The repeated questions of the sex, due date etc used to get a bit tideous for me. #CoolMumClub
Author
Thanks Becky…yes, we’ve reached that point now too!
This is so spot on, as are all your posts I’ve read so far! Great news you have (I assume) gone public with the pregnancy – it’s so exciting! Can’t wait to watch your story unfold.
Thanks for popping along to #coolmumclub
Author
Thank you!! Well, we have gone live to most family and some friends too, but only really when we’ve seen them face to face. Plus, I’ve been banned from revealing my identity online (don’t worry, I’m not famous or anything) til after our 20 week scan! So no personal pics or FB updates til mid May!
Cool! So normally everyone is waiting for a gender reveal but we’ll be waiting for the whole family reveal!! Your blog is brilliant with or without your faces, give it some thought before you take the plunge 🙂 x
Haha Love it! Especially – the Congratulatory! Wow! Only Men! lol! Thank you so much for linking up your funny post with us again. 🙂 #FabFridayPost
Love this, I think we had all of these. As the pregnancy went on the exhausted parents became more common, or as my friend nicknamed them the ‘negative nellies’ who just want to tell you how hard it will be etc- that annoyed me a lot! #FamilyFun
So true, so true, we heard many of these. A regularly reaccuring one was ‘have you decided on a name’. We’d diplomatically say something evasive such as ‘yes, we’ve got a few ideas’, basically trying to politely put across that we’d prefer to keep that to ourselves. The less perseptive peeps would however always follow up with ‘tell us then’ – some people are so direct! #TheList
Author
Ergh, you’re so right! Nothing worse than people giving their opinions on baby names! Thank so much for sharing…
This is great! I hate it when people ask if it was planned or if it was an accident. I think that should not be asked!!!
I also hate the “well done” like it you have passed a degree or something
#FabFridayPost
Author
Haha…agreed! Little do they realise how fun it can be trying to get pregnant!
Oh goodness, like Catie, I felt that I was nodding to all of them … maybe it just depends on what day you catch people as I’m pretty certain I’ve been heard to say all of these … great post … too exciting #familyfun
Author
Haha…I think you’re right!
One reaction we got was “I am looking outside, right now! Nope, pigs are not flying, you have got to be lying!” Yeah, thanks for that! Oiy! Also another good one “Why?” What the…?
Author
Oh God – that’s the worst I’ve heard so far! haha OUTRAGEOUS!
Another brilliant post. You will be such a fun daddy! I kept thinking oh yes that ones me then I read on and thought no that one, no that one. TY for linking up with #FamilyFun
Author
Thanks Catie – you always know just what to say!
Yep, can recognise a lot of these. Some of them are so awkward! I hate the mental calculation you know everyone is doing…oh so they must have been on holiday when… etc.
Weirdest one we had was from someone in the family who was also pregnant (had to tell them before 12 weeks because I was immobile)…they didn’t want anyone to know, but stony silence, awkward looks and then not mentioning it again for 3 months sort of gave the game away for them!! Great post as ever #familyfun
Author
Thanks so much for sharing! So awkward in so many instances…we’ve taken to just blurting it out as soon as we see someone for maximum shock factor!
Haha love this. Why do men always have to comment on the pipes and congratulate each other on their ‘swimmers’? Had a lot of this from my hubby’s mates when I was pregnant. Bit weird your parents wanted to know when you did the deed!x #familyfun
Author
Thanks Wendy…yes, I’m afraid guys are all rather obsessed with their pipes!