How—and When—to Tell Work About Your Pregnancy

Telling friends and family you’re pregnant can be exciting—you’re finally no longer keeping it under wraps and you get to share your hopes and dreams for baby! But telling your boss? That can be a lot more stressful. While it’s illegal to discriminate against pregnant workers, you might still worry about how you’ll be treated at work, when to stop working during pregnancy and how you’ll feel about coming back post maternity leave.

“I’m so thrilled to be pregnant, but I’m so nervous about telling my boss,” shares The Bump community member MinnesotanMom. “I know he wouldn’t outwardly tell me that he’s upset about it, but I’m worried about secretly disappointing him. His good opinion and connections will be important for me in the future, and I also want the rest of my time at my job to go smoothly.”

Of course, your boss isn’t the only person you’ll need to tell. If you’re wondering when to tell work about pregnancy—and exactly how to tell your boss, direct reports and colleagues about your big news—read on for expert advice.

What to Know Before Announcing Your Pregnancy at Work

First, know your rights. Read your employee manual and look into company policies regarding pregnancy rights and maternity leave. Here are some key points to keep in mind off the bat:

• There’s no federal law requiring you to tell your boss about your pregnancy. But if you plan to use benefits such as those under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), short-term disability or other company-provided leave, there are timelines you’ll need to adhere to so you can fully benefit, says Margo Ross Pillischer, a partner and employment law attorney at Ross Scalise Employment Lawyers in Austin, Texas.
• Once you do tell your boss about your pregnancy, keep in mind that most employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). “If you’re experiencing complications or unpleasant symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out to your company and ask how you can be accommodated,” says Pillischer.
• The Pregnancy Discrimination Act prohibits employers from firing or discriminating against you due to pregnancy and childbirth.

When to Tell Work About Pregnancy

Many experts recommend telling your employer you’re pregnant between the end of your first trimester and the middle of the second. “Generally I recommend sharing between week 12 and 25 so that both you and the business have enough time to plan for your maternity leave,” says Brooke Taylor, a women’s career coach. “You’ll want to give your team at least three months to make a plan to backfill your work.” Be sure to tell your boss before you tell other coworkers.

How to Tell Your Boss You’re Pregnant

Now that you’ve learned about your rights, as well as what you can ask for from your company and what you might expect, you’re ready to share the news of your pregnancy with your manager. Take a deep breath—it’s not as scary as it seems, especially if you follow these simple steps.

When to deliver the news

Jessica Wilen, PhD, ACC, an organizational development consultant for new parents, agrees that it’s ideal to tell your boss as you’re approaching or beginning the second trimester, but she caveats that there’s truly no “right” moment. “It depends on your comfort, your relationship with your boss and your workplace culture,” she says.

You might also want to wait until after the first trimester because the risk of miscarriage decreases then, notes Kecia Gaither, MD, MPH, associate professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine and director of perinatal services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln. That said, if you’re experiencing uncomfortable symptoms and are looking for extra support, it’s okay to tell your manager earlier. You have to do what feels right for you!

How to approach the conversation

It’s best to deliver the news in person or in a video call, in a one-on-one meeting. “Be clear, direct and confident,” advises Adrienne Partridge, PhD, a somatic career and leadership coach. “If you tend to people-please under stress, plan what you want to say ahead of time so you can stay grounded.” She suggests starting the conversation on a positive note, such as, “I have exciting news to share.” Then, stick to the facts: Give your boss a general idea of your due date and let them know you’ll be proactive in planning for any transition or coverage needed while you’re away.

Make sure to discuss creating a maternity leave coverage plan, including training colleagues on your work if needed and “creating clear lines of communication for when you’re out,” says Taylor. You don’t need to have the entire plan laid out yet—but you can commit to creating that together. Your boss may direct you to your human resources team, who can help you hammer out the specifics of your leave.

Pitfalls to avoid

Wilen recommends not waiting too long to share the news, especially if it limits your ability to ask for extra support or necessary accommodations. She also says you don’t need to commit to a specific post-leave plan while announcing the news to your manager. “This can box you in before you know how you’ll feel,” she explains. “You don’t have to have all the answers upfront—and it’s wise to give yourself leeway as things unfold, both emotionally and logistically.”

Avoid sharing the news in an email or via Slack message unless absolutely necessary. “Given how impersonal and transactional email is, I don’t recommend sharing such big news in that forum,” says Taylor. Adds Jess Feldt, a career coach for working moms navigating parental leave: “This is a moment that deserves more care and connection.”

Finally, resist the urge to over-explain or apologize. “There’s no need to over-accommodate or minimize your news—this is a significant moment, and you deserve to share it without apology,” says Partridge. “You’re sharing something significant and personal—own it with pride.”

How to Tell Your Direct Reports You’re Pregnant

Being a boss comes with plenty of responsibilities—and that includes telling your employees or the people you manage that you’re pregnant in a timely and professional way.

When to deliver the news

It’s important to tell your direct reports as soon as you can, says Wilen. “They’re likely to be most impacted by your absence, so loop them in early once your boss is aware,” she says.

How to approach the conversation

Set up meetings with your staff so they know what to anticipate now that you’re expecting, and give them an opportunity to raise any questions or concerns. “Emphasize that you’re committed to supporting a smooth transition and invite their input,” says Wilen. Have a plan in place, and make sure your direct reports feel supported and have clear direction. Says Feldt: “If your pregnancy will impact someone’s work, such as direct reports or cross-functional teammates, it’s important to let them know directly. Give them clarity on timing and what to expect.”

Pitfalls to avoid

First off, make sure that your direct reports don’t feel overwhelmed and that tasks are clearly delegated. Also, make sure you tell your team first to keep rumors from spreading. “While it’s totally okay only to tell some coworkers, you want to be mindful of how your news can spread without you being in charge of the messaging,” says Stevie Blum, LCSW, a psychotherapist and relationship specialist. “Tell your boss first and collaborate on what they believe is best practice for communicating with your direct reports or relevant colleagues.”

How to Tell Your Coworkers You’re Pregnant

Sharing the news that you’re pregnant with colleagues is usually less stressful than telling your boss or direct reports, but it still comes with a few professional guidelines.

When to deliver the news

There’s no single set of guidelines when it comes to telling your coworkers you’re pregnant. “For peers and broader coworkers, it’s okay to share on your own timeline,” says Wilen. “Some women prefer to tell close colleagues early, others wait until it’s public. Just be intentional about the order and avoid leaving anyone out who may feel surprised or excluded.” Adds Taylor: “I would recommend sharing with people when you feel ready and ideally before you start to really pop so that you can claim the narrative and there’s no gossip.”

How to approach the conversation

This really depends on your company culture and the dynamics of your team. In some situations, one-on-one conversations are the way to go, while in others a group announcement is best. “While selective sharing is certainly an option, I’ve found it’s often better to share with your full team once you’re ready,” suggests Victoria Thain Gioia, cofounder and co-CEO of Perelel, an ob-gyn-founded prenatal vitamin company. “This helps prevent unnecessary whispers or gossip about something that should be celebrated! With close coworkers, you might share earlier and more personally as you would with friends. For your broader team, focus on the practical aspects—when you’ll be out, how work will be handled in your absence and how this ensures you can fully disconnect when the time comes.”

Pitfalls to avoid

Everyone has their work friends, but it’s important to still keep things business-appropriate. “Of course, you’re entitled to tell close work friends, especially if you’re looking for support, but keep in mind that the more streamlined your communication is, the easier the overall process will be to manage,” says Blum.

Pregnancy’s an exciting and overwhelming time—there’s no need to complicate things when it comes to taking time off from work for maternity leave. As long as you tell your boss in a timely manner and help create a coverage plan, things should go smoothly. Be sure to read up on your rights and what accommodations you can expect too—it’ll go a long way in planning for baby’s arrival.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.