Pregnancy Announcement Cards

Dear Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee,

We have received more than one card from expectant friends signed "from John, Jane, and Baby Doe." One even had the actual baby's name that they planned on giving their unborn child. Is this a new trend?

Signed,

Just Curious

Dear Just Curious,

Pregnancy announcement or baby due cards are a new trend. First time parents are especially eager to share their joy with everyone.

However, announcing that a baby will be due is normally done by word of mouth. In addition, a pregnancy is often disclosed after the first and second trimesters. The reason to wait to let everyone know about a pregnancy until the third trimester is because the possibility of miscarriage is higher in the first and second trimesters. In the third trimester, the baby has a better chance of survival if born early.

So, if pregnancy announcement cards are mailed, they would be sent within a few months of the baby's birth. Therefore, it might be more convenient to wait another few months and simply send out birth announcement cards after the baby is born. Pregnancy news can still be spread by word of mouth, letters, and emails.