If you’re newly pregnant and struggling with when to share the news, you’re not alone. Most couples are cautiously optimistic at the start of their pregnancy—wanting to be the bearers of great news, but not wanting to dish too soon. The trend of waiting until the end of the first trimester comes from the statistics surrounding miscarriage. About 10 to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage and more than 80% of those losses happen before 12 weeks. “Because of these numbers many couples want to wait until they’re out of the woods before opening the channels of communication,” says Ann Douglas, author of The Mother of All Pregnancy Books. “Though, many others know that they’ll want the support of family and friends no matter what happens and choose to share right away.”
There is no right or wrong way to handle this, says Douglas. As long you realize that once the news gets out, word will spread—quickly. Especially in the digital age, good news can travel like wildfire. “If you’re going to make your pregnancy public knowledge, you might want to notify your boss and colleagues, before they find out from someone else.”
Many women worry about sharing this news at work because they fear it will influence how they are treated. However, there are a number of reasons why keeping your boss informed is a good idea. “First, you want to give them lots of time to plan and prepare for your maternity leave,” says Douglas. “Second, if you’re feeling tired or suffering from morning sickness, your colleagues are bound to be more understanding if they know what’s going on. And finally, pregnancy is good news! If your employer takes a day or two to process don’t take it personally. There is a good chance he or she is dealing with this as a management challenge and is not angry or frustrated with you.”
You’re pregnant! Now what?
This list will help you navigate through pregnancy by offering remedies, treatments and products you’ll need to stay healthy and feel good. If you’re not sure if a product you want to use is safe, contact the Shoppers Drug Mart Motherisk Helpline at 1-877-439-2744.
1st Trimester:
- For morning sickness try Gravol® or talk to your doctor about the prescription drug Diclectin®.
- Up your folic acid intake with a Life Brand Prenatal Multivitamin.
- For constipation chose high-fibre cereal or use a bulk forming agent such as Metamucil® or the Life Brand equivalent.
2nd Trimester:
- To help prevent stretch marks try Bio-Oil®.
- Fighting a headache? Tylenol® is safe to take throughout pregnancy. Advil® and Naprosyn® are safe for the first six months only.
- Dry, itchy skin? Life Brand Cocoa Butter skin cream is sure to soothe.
3rd Trimester:
- To relieve heartburn opt for Tums® or Rolaids®.
- For swollen, tired feet try a relaxing lavender or peppermint foot soak.
- To unwind and relax try Life Brand Epsom Salts in a warm (not hot) bath.