How to Tell Your Friends You're Pregnant

Post an announcement photo.

Reach tons of friends at once with your sweet, creative announcement. If you’re looking to let as many friends know as possible in as cute of a way as possible, then stick with a classic, public IG or Facebook post. Or, if you love the hands-off approach but just want to reach a few close friends, create a group with a cute name (Sally’s Squad, maybe?) and post it there. Pose with your partner or a best pal with cute signs to hint at your pregnancy. Yours could point to your partner and say “Soon-to-be parent,” and theirs could say, “Bun in the oven.” Use a theme close to your heart. Dress up in Harry Potter attire, hold your sonogram, and caption the pic, “Mischief managed.” For a funny twist, post a photo of you eating tons of notorious craving foods (think, pickle juice, ice cream etc.). Give it a mysterious caption: “Guess what…”

Send out an announcement card.

Share your adorable message from the comfort of your home. Send out announcement cards with a sweet photo to reach all of your favorite people super easily. Then, wait for the excited calls to start rolling in. The benefit here is that this ultra-sweet announcement idea lets you get creative—but it’s also still super hands-off. For a classic pose, hold your sonogram over your bump in a beautiful or sentimental location. Your next beach vacation would be perfect! Send a photo that highlights your little baby’s future shoes. Hold a super cute pair of tiny tennis shoes, have everyone else hold theirs for comparison, and smile big. Use a seasonal theme. Send a photo of you two in front of a Christmas tree with a present in front of your belly. Caption the photo, “New gift on the way…”

Have your friends “cheers” the baby.

Kick off a cute celebration with personalized champagne labels. Invite your friends over for an exciting soiree to celebrate your news. Tons of companies allow you to personalize your own label—just find one with your favorite design options (or price!). From there, select your message and template. You can keep a bottle as a special keepsake, so get creative and make a label you love! There are tons of adorable messages you can use to tip off your friends. Try something mysterious and cute, “Someone in the room can’t drink me…” Use a subtle, champagne-related pun, “Dom Pregnant-non.” Or if you’d rather cut to the chase, choose a straightforward message: “Drink up! We’re celebrating :) Lola is PREGNANT!”

Serve a baby-themed meal.

Invite your friends over for lunch—but make food with a secret meaning. Baby-back ribs paired with baby carrots may strike your friends as an odd combination. But you’ll send your friends into an excited frenzy when they slowly realize your lunch menu has a secret meaning: you’re pregnant! Spend the rest of the meal chatting about the exciting news. Or, make your message extra cute (and obvious) with foods made to look baby-related. For example, deviled eggs can be hollowed out to look like a crib. Stick a hotdog slice inside and use chocolate sprinkles as a face. Now you've got a baby.

Treat your friends to a “bun” from the oven.

Offer your friends a cute, clever (edible!) announcement for the ages. Invite them over for a fun hangout and when they get there, announce that the food isn’t ready just yet. There are so many directions you can take this one; just make sure that you introduce the idea of a “bun in the oven” at some point. Simply say the phrase and see if they get the picture: “Sorry, guys! Foods not ready. Still have a bun in the oven…” Or, ask a friend to check on the food. Inside the oven, leave a bun with a frosted message: “Bun in the oven!” Wait for your pal to come spread the news. Bring a roll or “bun” to each of your friends. Frost a letter on each baked good and make them unscramble the message to uncover your special surprise.

Create a special code for them to solve.

Turn your announcement into an exciting group puzzle activity. Invite your friends over and let them know that you have an activity planned for them. When they arrive, have your puzzle, code, scavenger hunt, or crossword all ready to play. Keep it as simple as you want—or get as wild as you want. This is your exciting announcement. Your friends will love all of the fun! Have your friends embark on a crazy scavenger hunt through your neighborhood, home, or city. On each clue, include a new letter: “P, R, E, G, N, A, N, T…” Prepare a giant crossword for your friends to work through together. Throughout the puzzle, circle certain letters that’ll go on to spell out your special message. Or, send your pals on a wild goose chase. Hide scrolls with letters around your house. When they collect enough, they’ll discover your message.

Leave a pregnancy clue in a group photo.

Plan a shocking surprise that'll make your friends completely freak. Ask your friends to take a photo with you at your next gathering. Make sure you’re standing in the back for an extra element of surprise. When the photo is snapped, hold up a sign that says: "I’m pregnant!" When you all look back at the photo, they’ll see your surprise announcement. Or, as the group photo is being taken, yell out your news. You’ll have the moment (and your friend’s stunned reactions) captured in a snapshot forever!

Give your friends a silly gift.

Let a playful present announce your pregnancy to your pals. Invite your friends over and let them know they have a little surprise waiting for them. Pass out your gifts, have them unwrap them, and wait for them to figure out the gifts’ meaning. If it’s hard to corral your friend group, send out your gifts instead! Give them earplugs and a sleeping mask. Share that they're going to need all the help they can get trying to sleep while they babysit for you… Gift them a rain shawl to wear for all of their future visits to your soon-to-be messy household. Or, give them a photo of you. Explain that this is how you’ll have to participate in all their future antics after the baby comes. Note that for these, a little explanation may be needed. Feel free to explain however you want. Come right out and tell them or make them guess!

Play “Read My Lips.”

Ask your friends to play a hilarious, exciting guessing game. Have them bring over noise-canceling headphones (or provide a few of your own) and make sure they can’t hear anything you say. Then, straight to their faces, tell them your message. You’re pregnant! Ask them to keep guessing by reading your lips until someone gets it. Then, share in the excitement together.

Get help from your other kids.

To make your announcement even cuter, include your other little ones. If you already have a child at home, let them tell your friends for you. Even if they’re too little to talk or join in on a complicated plan, they can still add an extra cute touch to your announcement. Buy your child a shirt that reads, “Only child” with the message crossed out. Simply bring them in the room and let your friends figure it out. Or, help your kid bake “Big brother” cupcakes to pass out to your friends. Wait for the realization to set in and get ready to celebrate. You can also work this idea into a card or post. Instead of having your little one tell your friends in person, take a video or a photo to share instead.

Let your pet announce your pregnancy.

Your furry friend is the perfect addition to your sweet, wholesome news. Wrap an embroidered bandana or collar around your pet's neck. Choose your special message: "I’m pregnant!" Invite your friends over and wait for them to notice. This works especially well if they're special fans of your pet. Dog and cat enthusiasts are the perfect friends for this announcement idea!

Record pregnancy reactions to share.

Let pals experience your exciting family announcements first-hand. Record your partner, parents, siblings, or other childrens’ reactions to your pregnancy and use that to announce to your friends. Post your reaction video on social media, send it into your group chat, or invite your friends over for a surprise screening.

Show off your positive test.

Send a classic, casual announcement: a photo of your pregnancy test. One glance at that little pink plus sign and your friends will absolutely lose it. Send it to your group chat without any context. Or, include a cheeky, cute message with your test to add to the fun. This is perfect if you’re looking for an announcement that’s low effort but high excitement. “So…????‍????‍????” “Guys…I have a little something to share.” “Anybody know what this means?? ????”

Write your friend a contract.

Take your friend by surprise and ask them to sign an adorable contract. Write a heartfelt, silly letter in contract form, asking them to be an important figure in your baby’s life. If you’re asking your friend to be a godparent, use that as your contract’s theme. This’ll totally inspire a smile—maybe even some laughs and tears, too. Start with a jokingly serious opener: “You’re required to disclose whether or not you’re able to perform the following duties…” Explain that you’re pregnant: “Because Charlie is pregnant. And she loves you so much—so she wants you in her baby’s life forever.” List out silly, sweet “duties” you hope your friend will help with: “Be a role model, buddy, babysitter, and the adult who scoops extra ice cream when we say no…” Finish by asking them to sign: “If you are willing and able to perform these duties, sign here:”

Announce that you're welcoming a baby via surrogacy.

If you’re using a surrogate, don’t let that stop you from your dream announcement. Tailor your message to focus on welcoming a baby rather than being pregnant. Incorporate little shoes, sweet baby toys, etc. Try posting a photo with you and your partner wearing parent shirts. Send an incoming-baby announcement card with a sign in hand that reads, “Soon there’ll be 3!” Alter an in-person announcement idea so that it's about your new baby—not pregnancy. Swap the message, “I’m pregnant” with, “Baby on the way!”