10 Women Share the Most Unexpected Responses They've Gotten to Pregnancy Announcements

Pregnancy announcements are often met with joy, tears, and heartfelt congratulations. However, not every reaction follows the expected script. Some women have shared the most surprising, awkward, and even downright shocking responses they have received when breaking the news. Whether it was an unfiltered remark from a friend, a baffling reaction from family, or a workplace response that left them speechless, these stories prove that not everyone reacts to pregnancy news the way one might hope.

1. My mother-in-law gasped—but not in a good way.

My mother-in-law had always been supportive of my career, so it never crossed my mind that she might have believed having a baby would jeopardize it. When I told her we were expecting, I had expected enthusiasm. Instead, she gasped, her expression shifting to anger.

I stood frozen as she stepped forward, placed a hand on my belly, and softly said, “What about your career? Women who have babies always lose their careers.”

2. My boss thought I was joking.

I walked into my boss’s office, excited to share my news, but as soon as I said, “I'm pregnant,” he burst into laughter. I stood there, waiting for him to realize I was serious. When he finally saw my face, the color drained from his. “Oh, wait... you're not joking?” he stammered. He immediately started backpedaling, saying how happy he was for me, but the initial reaction stuck with me.

3. My best friend made it about herself.

I couldn’t wait to tell my best friend I was pregnant. We’d talked about our future kids for years, so I assumed she’d be thrilled. But as soon as the words left my mouth, she sighed dramatically and said, “Wow, must be nice. I wish I had my life together enough to have a baby.”

I didn’t know how to respond. I wanted her to be happy for me, but instead, she turned my moment into a reflection of her own struggles. It put a weird strain on our friendship for a while.

4. My dad's reaction was...just confusing.

I told my dad I was pregnant over the phone, expecting a classic “Congratulations, sweetheart!” Instead, he paused and said, “Huh. Well, that's interesting.” Interesting? I wasn’t sure what that even meant.

He followed it up with, “You know, I never thought of you as a mom type, but I guess we'll see!” I laughed it off, but it stung a little. I guess he thought I was more of a career woman than a parent, but why not both?

5. My sister asked if it was an accident.

The second I shared my pregnancy news, my sister blurted out, “Was it planned?” I was stunned. I mean, does it even matter? A baby is a baby!

I told her it was, in fact, planned, and she just nodded and said, “Oh, wow. I just didn't think you'd want kids.” It felt like she was questioning my life choices instead of celebrating with me. It was definitely not the reaction I had hoped for.

6. My brother’s first question was about my dog.

When I called my brother to tell him I was pregnant, I expected some version of “Congratulations!” Instead, there was a long pause, followed by, “So... what are you going to do with your dog?” I was so caught off guard that I just stared at my phone in disbelief.

My dog is like family, and I had no intention of giving her up. I assured him that the dog was staying, but the whole conversation left me bewildered. I hung up wondering why that was his first concern.

7. My co-worker asked if I knew how it happened.

During a lunch break, I casually told a few co-workers that I was expecting. One of them, a guy from accounting who I barely talk to, chuckled and said, “Wow, do you even know how that happens?” The whole table went silent.

I managed an awkward laugh, but inside, I was mortified. It felt like the kind of joke a middle schooler would make. I quickly changed the subject, but for the rest of the day, I couldn’t shake off the cringe.

8. My grandma wanted to know if I was sure.

Telling my grandmother I was pregnant was something I’d been excited about for weeks. I pictured her clapping her hands in delight or tearing up. Instead, she squinted at me and asked, “Are you sure?”

I assured her I was, indeed, sure, but she kept pressing, “Well, you never know. Those tests can be wrong!” I appreciated her concern, I guess, but it was definitely not the warm response I’d imagined.

9. My friend’s husband blurted out "Oh No" immediately.

I was out to dinner with a couple of friends and decided it was the perfect time to share my news. As soon as I said I was pregnant, my friend’s husband’s eyes went wide, and he said, “Oh no!”

My friend smacked him on the arm while I tried to laugh it off. He stammered something about how surprised he was and quickly followed up with a “Congratulations!” but the damage was done. That “oh no” still echoes in my head sometimes.

10. My mom suggested baby names—for the wrong gender.

The moment I told my mom I was having a girl, she gasped and said, “Oh, wonderful! You should name him after your grandfather!” I gently reminded her that I was having a girl, but she brushed it off, insisting that many boy names could be unisex. I know she meant well, but the whole conversation ended up being more about convincing her my baby was actually a girl than celebrating the news.

Pregnancy announcements can bring out a wide range of emotions, and sometimes, the responses are not at all what one expects. While most people react with excitement and joy, others reveal their personal biases, worries, or even insecurities in the moment.