NewMom: Where’s My Ticker Tape Parade?

Here it is, the hard and fast truth about the most exciting news of your life. Telling people you’re pregnant just ain’t what you thought it would be. I waited those 12 critical weeks in great anticipation of the parade I’d throw to finally announce to the world that I was pregnant. Everyone would be so excited. Well wishes would fall like confetti from the hallways and conference rooms that line the office. Hugs would crowd the cafeteria, and squeals of excitement would play over the PA system.


But what really happened was this. The day after I got the good news from that little blue stick, I got on a plane to London for a business trip with my close friend and colleague. I couldn’t hold back, and I told her right away. We laughed, we cried, we reigned in our excitement because, after all, even the doctor hadn’t confirmed it yet. And then as the weeks passed, I booked a meeting with my boss to tell him when the time was right. After all, he had a right to know before others. Then I would tell the people on my team.

It was all so calculated, making sure to do everything in the right order. And then when we finally got through all that, and passed the next round of critical tests, well, all the air had gone out of the announcement. It felt weird and awkward to just tell people. Announcing my news to the world suddenly seemed unnecessary and strange. My parade was over before it started, and the reality that the world just goes on pretty much as it always has is now kicking in.