The arrival of a baby is one of the most exciting moments in any couple's life. When you discover you're pregnant, your first instinct will be to share the news with your husband or partner. However, there are special and thoughtful ways to deliver this happy news. With a little planning and preparation, you can share with your husband that he’s soon to be a dad in a memorable way, ensuring that you both have special memories of this exciting moment.
How to Share the Big News
Step 1. Show Your Husband the Positive Pregnancy Test.
Present your husband with the positive pregnancy test. There are many creative ways to surprise him with the news, from showing him a photo to hiding the test among other items, so he’ll be taken by surprise.
- Take a photo of the test and upload it to your computer, setting it as the wallpaper.
- Tell your husband that you’ve been feeling unwell all day. Once he’s distracted, say you’re going to take your temperature, then return and ask him to help you read the thermometer, handing him the positive test instead.
- Ask him to sign a birthday card for a friend, and give him the positive test instead of a pen.
Step 2. Give Him a Special Gift.
Present a special gift to your husband to mark this important news. A personalized gift can enhance the surprise and the anticipation of the news, especially when the person is not expecting it, making the day even more special for both of you.
- Order a t-shirt with a cute, brief message. You can have a shirt made for anyone—like one saying “Dad” for him, or one for yourself saying “Expecting” or shirts for any older siblings saying “Big Brother” or “Big Sister.”
- Consider a keepsake for the baby, like a silver spoon or teether, and include a note saying, “In a few months, we can engrave our new family member’s name on this.”
- Think about what your husband enjoys and incorporate that into the gift. If he loves hiking, buy a pair of baby hiking boots and a small backpack, saying it’s for his new hiking buddy.
- Purchase a small ceramic piggy bank and label it: “Baby’s Education Fund.”
- Hide the gift in a closet, pantry, or his gym bag so he discovers it unexpectedly throughout the day.
Step 3. Plan a Special Dinner with a Surprise Element.
Organize a special dinner with a surprise element. You can either cook a special meal yourself or go to a favorite restaurant. Use the occasion to embed your surprise in the meal or to share the news at the right moment when you’re together.
- Prepare his favorite dish or something thematic like baby carrots, baby corn, or even baby food.
- To make the moment more special or memorable, you might go to a favorite restaurant.
- Deliver the news in various ways, such as buying a plastic baby figurine from a party supply store and placing it in a dish, or asking the waiter to put it in the meal he orders.
- Create a bottle of wine with a special label that says your husband is soon to be a dad. You can do the same with something you make at home.
- If your husband offers to toast with wine or beer, explain that you can’t and why, perhaps using a sweet phrase like, “Our little one isn’t fond of the taste of wine (or beer) just yet.”
- Share the news during dessert by baking or ordering a cake that says, “Congratulations, you’re going to be a dad!”
Step 4. Send Him a Card from the Baby.
Send your husband a card from the baby. Get a beautiful card or interesting decorative paper and write a message or letter from the perspective of your child. The text doesn’t need to be long or complicated; it should be fun, sweet, and to the point.
- You don't have to buy a card with a baby image; a regular card can increase the surprise.
- Mail the card so that your husband has no idea what’s inside. You can also ask someone else to sign it so he won’t recognize your handwriting.
- Write something like: “Dear Andrew, I can’t wait for the eight months to fly by until we meet. I know Mommy is excited for our new adventures together.” Sign it: “Your Baby.”
Step 5. Announce the News Through Another Family Member.
Announce the news through another family member. If you have pets or other children, let them deliver the happy news to your husband. This can catch him off guard and create an even greater surprise or simply be a fun memory.
- If you have a dog or cat, you can attach a small card with the news to its collar.
- You might find a special toy hinting at the arrival of a new family member that your dog or cat can bring to your husband.
- Ask one of your kids to deliver the message. It could be as simple as “Mom says she’s having another baby,” or a phrase that reflects your older child's personality.
Step 6. Buy a Badge or Poster Announcing the Baby’s Arrival.
Purchase a badge or poster symbolizing the baby’s arrival. Various badges can communicate the big news to your husband, like a large poster with bold letters or a small car sticker saying “You’re going to be a dad!”
- The badge should suit your husband’s personality. For instance, if you’ve been trying to conceive for a while and your husband is very outgoing, you might display a poster with the news on his way to work for him to see when he least expects it.
- If your husband is shy and wouldn’t want the news broadcast to everyone, you could opt for a subtle car sticker saying “We’re expecting.” Slip the badge into his vehicle or casually leave it at home for him to find.
- Write the good news on a small piece of paper that will fit inside a fortune cookie. Buy some cookies or candy with fortunes and replace the fortune with your note. Make sure your husband reads the fortune and gets his surprise! You might even find special fortune cookies designed to tell him he’s going to be a dad.
Step 7. Stage the Scene.
Stage the scene. Borrow baby items from a friend or buy some at a nearby store. Scatter these items around the house while your husband is at work. When he returns, let him figure out what’s going on or prompt him with a question before sharing the amazing news.
- You could also take toys and transform the living room into a “playroom,” or place baby bottles or sippy cups around the kitchen for a similar effect.
Step 8. Set Up a Scavenger Hunt for Him.
Create a scavenger hunt for your husband. Buy a few inexpensive items that hint at your pregnancy and hide them around the house. Leave him a note with clues on where to find them, ultimately leading to the news.
- Place the hidden items around the house and accompany each clue with hints. Hopefully, he’ll catch on before he finds you!
Step 9. Park in a “Expecting Mother” Spot.
Park in an “Expecting Mother” spot. Invite your husband to a big supermarket and take the wheel. When you get to the parking lot, park in the designated expecting mother spot.
How to Prepare Together for the Baby's Arrival
Step 1. Understand That Your Life Will Change.
Understand that your life will change. The arrival of a baby significantly alters a couple’s life. Acknowledging and discussing the inevitable changes that will happen in the future will help avoid misunderstandings and issues in your relationship later on.
- Women instinctively shift their focus to the baby in the first months of their life. Knowing this and all other inevitable changes will help your husband mentally prepare for the baby’s arrival.
- For instance, many women don’t feel like having sex in the first months after childbirth, and some don’t want it during pregnancy. But men aren’t affected by this change. Understand that this is all related to hormones, and come up with a plan on how you will handle this issue.
Step 2. Arm Yourself with Information.
Arm yourself with information. There are various books and websites that can help you prepare for the baby’s arrival. Gather important information from your doctor, friends, books, and websites to make the journey through pregnancy smoother for both of you.
- Ask your doctor and friends for advice that may be helpful during pregnancy and after.
- You might want to consult sources that explain what happens to your body at each stage of pregnancy so your husband understands the changes you’re going through.
Step 3. Work on Your Relationship.
Work on your relationship. The best gift you can prepare for your baby is a strong relationship with your husband. Maintaining a healthy and solid relationship throughout pregnancy and after childbirth will effectively prepare you for the baby’s arrival and subsequent care.
- It’s important to take time to discuss various issues, including expectations of each other, family values, and parenting methods. Even if you have some disagreements on certain topics, compromises can be reached to avoid undermining your relationship.
- Spend more time communicating to enjoy life as a couple. Take walks, plan date nights, or even go on vacation to strengthen your bond.
Step 4. Discuss Family Budget and Divide Responsibilities.
Discuss family budget and divide responsibilities. A baby requires a lot of time and attention, and their care can be quite costly. Discussing financial matters and dividing responsibilities for childcare in advance will help avoid misunderstandings later.
- You might want to discuss the division of household chores during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester when you’ll find it harder to move. Talk about cleaning up after pets and feeding them, as well as other household work you do.
- Try to discuss how the situation will change after the baby arrives and how responsibilities for caring for the newborn will be divided. This will help prevent feelings of resentment.
Step 5. Get Your Husband Involved as Much as Possible.
Involve your husband as much as possible. His active participation in preparing for the baby’s arrival is key to maintaining your relationship and fostering his attachment to the baby. Make sure to schedule doctor’s appointments so he can accompany you, and shop for baby items together so he can share in the excitement of expecting.
- It’s not necessary to design a nursery with a special touch, but you should prepare it together. Purchase furniture, clothing, and other essentials as a team.
- Ensure that your husband can accompany you during important doctor visits, including ultrasounds or listening to the baby’s heartbeat.
