Seeing extended family over the holidays when you haven’t told them about your pregnancy can cause anxiety. What will you tell them? How will they react? You may have many questions running through your mind.
Turlock Pregnancy and Health Center is here to help you. Before speaking to your extended family, verify your pregnancy with free pregnancy testing and an ultrasound. These steps will give you a clear picture of your situation and help you understand your available options.
Schedule your free and confidential appointment today. We may have a same-day appointment available if you’re trying to get information before an upcoming event.
Tips for Talking with Your Extended Family
Whether your extended family is local or they are traveling from out of town, telling them about your pregnancy can be nerve-racking. Here are tips for planning your conversation.
Decide Who to Tell What
Will you share the news with everyone at once during a gathering, or plan to tell a few people first? Maybe you are hoping to speak confidentially with a grandparent, parent, or close aunt or uncle.
Decide who you want to tell what before you see them. This will help you navigate how to talk with them. If you want to share the news with a few close relatives first, they may be able to support you through a conversation with others.
You will also want to think about how much information you want to share. This is a personal preference and based on your relationship with your family. You can alleviate pressure to share more by planning answers to questions you think they may ask after you break the news.
Make it More Comfortable
You can make the conversation more comfortable by…
- Choosing the ideal time, maybe right after dinner or when everyone seems relaxed
- Bringing a support person with you to the event, maybe even your partner, if he’s ready
- Acknowledging that you don’t have all the answers now, to limit invasive questions
- Making an exit plan in case you’d like to leave the event early or need a breather
Get the Details First
Verifying your pregnancy will help you learn essential details, allowing you to understand your situation fully. Pregnancy testing and an ultrasound scan at Turlock Pregnancy and Health Center will help you know…
- Your pregnancy’s gestational age and estimated due date
- The location of your pregnancy (in the uterus or ectopic)¹
- The presence of a heartbeat (and not miscarried)²
Before sharing your news with everyone, it’s advisable to make sure your pregnancy is progressing normally. If you miscarry or require medical treatment for an ectopic pregnancy, you may make a different decision about sharing this news.
Here for You During the Holidays
You’re not alone, even during the busy holiday season. Turlock Pregnancy and Health Center offers essential services and support to help you with an unexpected pregnancy.
Schedule your no-cost appointment today. Our caring team is here to help with the information, services, and resources you need to feel ready for an important family conversation.
- Cleveland Clinic, “Ectopic Pregnancy”
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9687-ectopic-pregnancy - Mayo Clinic, “Miscarriage”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/symptoms-causes/syc-20354298