How to Talk with My Extended Family About My Unexpected Pregnancy Over the Holidays 

November 17, 2025

Family dynamics can be complex and stressful, especially during the holiday season. If you are pregnant during the holidays, it’s wise to anticipate certain questions and reactions and create a plan for how you feel about discussing your pregnancy.

Continue reading for practical conversation pointers and boundaries to consider as you approach the holiday season. You can also schedule a no-cost appointment to discuss your situation with a caring advocate. 

Decide What You are Comfortable Sharing

Defining your scope lets you decide in advance what you are comfortable discussing and with whom. Here are a few things to consider:

• Are there only certain family members you want to share the news with? If you are asking for privacy, can you trust them not to share with the others?
• What level of detail are you comfortable sharing? 

If you are still weighing your options, be cautious in how much you share or know how you’ll respond if they ask a question you are not comfortable sharing.

A few polite responses to those sorts of questions include:

• “I’m not ready to talk about that yet, but I appreciate your understanding.”
• “I’m still figuring things out, so I’d prefer not to discuss it right now.”
• “I’m keeping that private for now.”

Also, consider if you want to share the news in a group setting or just one-on-one.

Gather More Information about Your Pregnancy

At Heart to Heart, we provide evidence-based information that offers critical details about your pregnancy, enabling you to enter those holiday conversations with greater confidence.

We offer no-cost pregnancy testing and ultrasounds, which can give you peace of mind while also confirming details like how far along you are and whether the pregnancy is still viable, which are likely the sorts of questions your family members may ask.

You will find a safe space to ask questions and get answers about your pregnancy. Contact us today!

Heart to Heart does not provide or refer for abortions.