How to Share That You’re Expecting at Work

Sharing pregnancy news at work can evoke a mix of excitement and anxiety. However, in some workplaces, it might evoke a very different feeling: dread. 

Grab scripts you can use to deliver the news!

While you’re celebrating this significant life milestone, you may also be concerned about how your announcement will be received professionally. In a world where job uncertainty is high, sharing the happy news of your pregnancy might feel like a game of professional roulette. 

The first time I shared pregnancy news was 10 years ago and my head was spinning with questions, will it affect my career trajectory? How will my team respond? When is the “right” time to share?

Now a decade later, not much has changed.  We’ve worked with hundreds of new mothers navigating sharing their news and their concerns are still front and center.  

Yet with the right plan, you can navigate this important transition with confidence and professionalism. 

Every workplace culture and pregnancy journey is unique—your announcement can (and should!) reflect your specific circumstances and needs.

You’ve got this. Now, let’s get to it. 

In many workplaces, a pregnancy announcement is met with joy and congratulations. Even if this is the case, planning to make the announcement is nerve-wracking—and a gleeful response from everyone isn’t guaranteed. 

Depending on your workplace you might choose to deliver your news a little more casually. In this pregnancy subreddit, many contributors recount how they slipped their pregnancy announcement into the end of a meeting or as a fun “btw” in casual conversation. 

A remote worker, ciabattaloaf-13, created a custom background that announced her pregnancy for her during a virtual meeting. 

If your workplace is a little more buttoned-up or formal, you might want to be more strategic in sharing your news. In these cases, you might want to share your news alongside your plans for the pregnancy and your upcoming maternity leave. 

Here are four areas to prepare if you feel your announcement should come with working plans:

Maintaining Professional Relationships During Transition
A thoughtful announcement demonstrates your commitment to transparency and helps preserve the professional relationships you’ve built. This is where you might share how you expect to interact with existing clients, any work travel that you may have coming up, and how you see your pregnancy and leave playing out. 

This gives colleagues and leadership time to process the news and plan accordingly.

Ensuring Legal Protections Are Activated
Once you officially disclose your pregnancy, workplace protections under laws like the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Pregnancy Discrimination Act are formally activated. 

Before sharing—especially if you feel nervous about an organizational response—familiarize yourself with your company’s maternity/paternity leave policies, short-term disability options, and other benefits. 

Securing Appropriate Accommodations
If your pregnancy requires workplace accommodations (flexible scheduling, remote work options, physical modifications), official disclosure is necessary to initiate those conversations.

Setting Expectations for Team Coverage
Depending on when you share your news, this might also be the time to start setting expectations for coverage. 

Thoughtful timing gives your team adequate opportunity to plan for project continuity during your leave.

WHEN: The “Perfect Timing” to Share Your Pregnancy News at Work

There’s no universal “right time” to share your news. Consider these factors when determining your announcement timeline:

Your Health and Pregnancy Progression
Many expectant parents wait until after the first trimester (around 12-13 weeks) when the risk of pregnancy loss decreases significantly. However, severe morning sickness or other complications might necessitate earlier disclosure.

Workplace Culture and Relationships
In close-knit environments where your absence would be immediately noticeable, earlier disclosure might make sense. In more formal corporate settings, you might prefer waiting longer.

Upcoming Projects and Responsibilities
Consider the timing of major projects, leadership transitions, or fiscal year planning. Announcing before significant project kickoffs allows for better succession planning.

Career Advancement Opportunities
If you’re pursuing a promotion or new role, consider how your announcement timing might impact these opportunities (while recognizing that pregnancy discrimination is illegal).

Signs it might be time to share your news:

• Your pregnancy is becoming physically apparent
• You need immediate accommodations for health reasons
• Your performance is affected by pregnancy symptoms
• Company planning cycles necessitate advance notice

WHO: Creating an Announcement Strategy

The order in which you share your news matters. Instead of sprinkling the news to a few colleagues and risking that it spreads without your knowing, create a trickle to share your news. 

Consider this approach:

Start With Your Manager or HR
Your direct supervisor or HR representative should generally be the first to know. This demonstrates professional courtesy and allows leadership to prepare appropriate responses.

In some cases, particularly if you have concerns about your manager’s reaction, starting with HR can provide an added layer of protection and documentation.

Navigating Matrix Management Structures
If you report to multiple leaders, plan to inform your primary manager first, followed quickly by other supervisors—ideally within the same day to prevent information asymmetry.

When to Loop in Team Members
After informing leadership, decide whether to share with your team all at once or individually. Consider which approach aligns best with your workplace culture. This might be a good opportunity for a “fun” share. 

Many women have shared stories about the creative and lighthearted ways they shared the news with their team. 

Here are a few fun one-liners:

• Manager: “This summer, I’ll be welcoming a new little assistant to the team.”
• Graphic Designer: “I have a new graphic I’d like to share with you all” (shows sonogram in a slideshow) 
• Copywriter: “After months of brainstorming and creative development, I’m excited to announce my latest and greatest project: Baby [Last Name], launching [due date]!”
• Software Engineer: “System update: A new user is being added to our home network. Estimated deployment: [due date]. Bug fixes and sleepless nights expected post-launch!”
• Financial Analyst: “Breaking news in my personal portfolio: A major acquisition is in progress! Baby [Last Name] is expected to go public in [due date]. Analysts predict a strong growth trajectory with increased expenses in the diaper sector.”

Plan for Different Reactions
Prepare for a range of responses. 

While many colleagues will be supportive, others may have questions about work coverage or responsibilities. Some may share unsolicited advice or personal stories. You can always politely accept advice and/or decline to hear someone’s horror stories. 

Having prepared responses can help navigate these conversations gracefully.

WHERE: Creating the Right Environment for the Conversation

The setting of your announcement contributes significantly to how it’s received.

Private vs. Public Announcement Strategies
Initial conversations with management should occur in private settings. Team announcements might happen in regular meetings or dedicated gatherings, depending on your workplace culture.

Virtual Announcement Considerations
In remote workplaces, consider whether a video call provides the personal touch you want for this news, or if a combination of calls and written communication works better.

Creating a Comfortable Setting
Choose a time when your manager isn’t rushing between meetings. Consider scheduling a dedicated meeting with a neutral title like “Planning Discussion” rather than surprising them during another conversation.

Following Up in Writing
After verbal announcements, follow up with written communication to document your disclosure and any discussions about accommodations or leave planning. 

This creates a paper trail that protects both you and your employer.

WHAT: Crafting Your Perfect Announcement Message

The content of your announcement should balance personal excitement with professional reassurance. Again, you know more about your workplace than we do. 

If there’s a way to discreetly connect with folks who have welcomed children within your organization, ask for their advice. They will be the best resource when it comes to this scenario. Ask them questions about how they shared the news, when they shared it, what the response was like, and don’t forget to ask them about any regrets or things they wish they had done differently. 

Now, let’s get back to what you’ll want to include in your formal pregnancy announcement! 

Essential Information to Include:

• Approximate due date
• Initial thoughts on leave timing (with the understanding this may change)
• Assurance of your commitment to a smooth transition
• Request for discretion if you’re not ready for company-wide announcement

Sample Scripts for Different Workplace Cultures:

Corporate/Formal Environment: “I’d like to share some personal news that will affect my schedule later this year. I’m expecting a baby, due around [month]. I’m committed to ensuring a smooth workflow during my absence and would like to begin planning my leave and transition strategy. I’ve researched our company’s parental leave policy and would appreciate discussing how we can best prepare the team.”

Startup/Casual Environment: “I’m excited to share that I’m pregnant! The baby is due in [month], and I’m starting to think about how to handle projects during my parental leave. I’m really committed to making sure nothing falls through the cracks, and I’d love your input on how we might structure things while I’m out.”

Client-Facing Role: “I wanted to let you know that I’m expecting a baby in [month]. I’m already thinking about how to ensure our clients receive uninterrupted service during my leave. I’d like to discuss a transition plan that introduces clients to their interim contact well before my departure and ensures a smooth handoff of key relationships.”

What Not to Do When Sharing Your News 

• Apologizing for being pregnant – It’s a personal milestone, not something to feel guilty about.
• Over-explaining or oversharing – Keep it professional and relevant to work by avoiding too much personal detail. Nobody needs to know the ins and outs of your health during this time. 
• Assuming the reaction will be negative – Let leadership and colleagues process the news without preempting their response.
• Overpromising when it comes to availability post-birth – Be clear about your plans for maternity leave and transition. This is not the time to over-promise.
• Acting as if work is now secondary – Of course, it’s a balancing act. Assure your commitment to your responsibilities until your leave begins.
• Being defensive or confrontational – If concerns arise, address them calmly and professionally.
• Announcing too early without a plan – We know it’s an exciting time, and you might be itching to share the news! Consider sharing after the first trimester with a basic transition plan in mind.
• Downplaying your ability to manage work – Maintain confidence in your ability to perform until your leave.
• Ignoring company policies – Be informed about parental leave, benefits, and HR procedures before sharing.
• Leaving colleagues uninformed about workload distribution – Proactively discuss delegation and transition plans.
• Taking on horror stories – This is basic pregnancy advice, but we think it’s golden. For some reason, folks will want to share the most horrific stories about their pregnancy (or their friend’s, or their friend’s cousin’s friend’s) and it is not yours to take on. Each pregnancy is different. Don’t let anybody scare you. 

Instead, focus on collaborative planning language that demonstrates your professionalism while acknowledging that some details will evolve as your pregnancy progresses.

Prepare for Parental Leave With Wrk360

Sharing pregnancy news at work represents an important professional milestone that deserves thoughtful preparation. By considering the why, when, who, where, and what of your announcement, you position yourself for a positive transition experience.

Remember that your careful planning benefits both you and your workplace. It demonstrates your professionalism, activates important legal protections, and provides your organization with valuable time to adapt to your temporary absence.

Above all, approach this announcement with confidence. Your pregnancy does not diminish your professional value or contributions—it’s simply a life transition that, with proper planning, can be navigated successfully within your career journey.

Download WRK/360's Parental Leave Workbook