So, you’re pregnant! Or your wife is pregnant. Or someone you know is pregnant. Whether it’s you or a loved one, there’s a new pregnancy in the family, and you’re trying to think of some fun and unique ways to share the news.

Announcing the pregnancy is an exciting time for any mother, spouse and family. It’s a unique moment when you get to share the joy with others who come to celebrate. Of course, there are things to consider when planning your big announcement. Who do you need to tell? How should you do it? Are there any big “no-no’s”? Fortunately, we have some pregnancy announcement ideas for you to share and celebrate with loved ones in your life.

First and foremost, announcing your pregnancy is definitely an exciting time, but be careful to take a breath before shouting it from the rooftops. Chances are you and your partner will know about the pregnancy early on. Still, a general rule of thumb for most women is to wait until you’re 12-14 weeks into the pregnancy before telling others. If you simply cannot wait that long, keep the circle of people you tell before that mark relatively small. Some women even wait until the 20 week mark—or, four to five months—to make sure the baby’s ultrasound findings are normal and the gender is confirmed.

Once you’ve reached a point in your pregnancy when you’re able to start telling people, make sure to tell the most important people first—family members, close friends, etc.—before announcing it to the whole world. You definitely do not want to create a situation where you accidentally tell a random coworker the news before your grandmother even knows. Feelings can quickly get hurt if friends and family feel left out, so it might be helpful to create a list of who needs to be told personally before announcing the pregnancy publicly.

When you’ve taken a breath and made sure all the bases are covered, now is the time to shout it from the rooftops! What are some great pregnancy announcement ideas?

One fun announcement idea is the gift form. Oftentimes, women use this idea when surprising their partner with their news. Whether it’s a T-shirt with the words “World’s Best Dad” on it or a pair of coffee mugs printed with “Grandma” and “Grandpa,” gifts are an exciting way to share the wonderful news with the loved ones in your life. Surprise them with a present, then be sure to snap a picture or video of their faces as they open it up and the realization comes.

Another idea involves a photo shoot. This can either be the surprise moment when you tell your loved ones, or planned out beforehand as a way to share on social media. Some women choose a photo shoot as the perfect opportunity to surprise their partner with the news of the pregnancy. Of course, this captures the genuine moment of joy on a partner’s face. Other women may have already told their partner, and instead choose a photographer to help capture a funny, sweet or romantic moment when they share the news with other family, friends or social media. Either way, a photo shoot is a fun way to share with others because it captures the pure moments of excitement between loved ones.

Of course, there’s the medium to consider when telling others about a pregnancy. For close friends and family, it may be best to either meet in person or give a quick phone call. For others in your life, social media is a fun way to announce the news.

Many women choose to post a sweet picture of them and their partner on social media to share the pregnancy. Oftentimes, a sonogram is shown, giving people a peek at the new little one joining the family. If there is an older sibling or even a pet involved, some women choose to incorporate them into the pregnancy announcement, holding signs that proclaim “I’m going to be a big sister!” or T-shirts which share “There’s a new pup on the way.” Ideas like these are a great way to get the whole family involved, and especially make older siblings feel excited and helpful during the pregnancy process.

Sometimes women even choose to go the funny route when announcing their pregnancy on social media, like the announcement “We’re eggspecting” with the picture of an egg, or the “I’m eating for two; he’s drinking for two” T-shirts. There are lots of cute ways to incorporate humor into a pregnancy announcement, which is a great way to get a good laugh out of people in their excitement for you. Whether it’s your first, second or nth child, a funny pregnancy announcement always brings joy to others in your life.

No matter how you choose to announce your pregnancy, be true to your personality and what is most comfortable for you and your family. Pregnancy is a special time in your life, and you want the announcement to fit in perfectly with it. Whatever you decide, celebrate your pregnancy with loved ones and prepare for the new bundle of joy in your life.

Get more ideas through our Pinterest board. Happy planning!