top

close menu

What Do I Tell People Who Ask Me About My Pregnancy?

If you’ve made the decision to place your child for adoption — or are considering doing so — it most likely wasn’t an easy choice. So when people ask you about your pregnancy and you know you're going to choose adoption, you may wonder, "What should I tell them?" This guide will help. Or, if you need immediate support, you can call 1-800-ADOPTION.

A woman who determines that adoption is the best way for her child to get all of the opportunities he or she deserves is frequently under a great deal of stress and pressure. If this describes your situation, that’s completely understandable.

There’s a lot going on in your own head, and it can be nerve-wracking to worry about the reactions of others. Unfortunately, because a pregnancy will eventually be very visible to onlookers, there will inevitably be people who ask you about it. At American Adoptions, our social workers field questions about this frequently.

If you’re wondering what to tell people who ask about your pregnancy, know that you are certainly not alone in this feeling.

We’ve got a few pieces of advice for you on this subject, and they are all centered around your sense of comfort.

If you are pursuing adoption for your baby and are nervous about what to say when approached with questions about your pregnancy, remember the following tips.

You don’t have to give a long, detailed answer.

If a stranger approaches you while grocery shopping and starts asking about your pregnancy, know that you don’t owe them anything.

For the most part, strangers will probably ask the same generic questions.

  • “When are you due?”
  • “Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?”
  • “Do you have a name picked out?”

If you want, you can answer honestly with your due date or the sex of the baby. If you don’t have a name picked out or they question something more detailed, like whether or not your baby’s room is ready yet, you can keep it short and simple. Give them a vague “no” and make your excuses to continue shopping.

If you want, you can have an excuse at the ready should anyone question you about your pregnancy. Apologize but say that you’re late for an appointment or something along those lines.

Generally, a stranger who approaches you to ask about your baby means well but doesn’t understand the sensitivity of the situation, and there’s no reason to make yourself uncomfortable by stressing about an answer to someone you don’t even know.

You get to decide what you share.

When someone approaches you to start asking about your baby and makes certain assumptions (like that you will be decorating a room for him or her, or that you’re ready and excited to be a parent), you’re faced with a choice.

You can either tell them you plan to pursue adoption, or you can let them assume that you’ve chosen to parent this baby. It’s entirely up to you.

Adoption is a personal decision, and there’s no reason a stranger in the grocery store — or wherever you happen to be — needs to know about it.

If you want to talk and be open about your decision, that’s completely okay. If you’d rather not get into it in the middle of the produce aisle, that’s fine, too.

It could be a good opportunity to be an advocate for adoption and how amazing it can be for everyone involved, but it’s also not your responsibility to educate someone at the cost of your own mental wellbeing.

You don’t have to tell them everything about your adoption plan, because it’s your right to keep that private.

If you do choose to let this theoretical stranger in on your intent to pursue adoption, it’s possible that they may have questions.

They may want to know what led you to that choice, why you feel it’s best for your baby, and more. That’s okay; even today, many people don’t understand the adoption dynamic and how it can benefit both the birth parents, adoptive parents, and especially the adopted child. It’s okay for them to be curious.

It’s also okay for you to not answer their questions. None of this information is actually relevant to their lives, and you aren’t obligated to share the details of your adoption plan with anyone beyond your adoption specialist and your child’s prospective adoptive parents.

If you are comfortable in the situation and are excited to talk about your plans, you are free to do so. You can also inform this person that you’d rather not discuss it and move on with your day without feeling guilty.

In asking yourself what to tell people who ask you about your pregnancy, the most important thing to remember is to put yourself first.

You can divulge as much or as little as you want to, and you don’t owe anything to anyone.

For more tips on what to say to people who comment on your pregnancy, please don’t hesitate to reach out to American Adoptions at 1-800-ADOPTION to more information and support.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.

Request Free Information

View Waiting Families
Want to speak to someone who has chosen adoption?
Meet Michelle — A Proud Birth Mom
Ask an Adoption Question
View More Waiting Familes
Frequently Asked Questions

Why is American Adoptions the right adoption agency choice for many birth mothers?

American Adoptions is one of the largest licensed adoption agencies in the United States. Each year, we work with thousands of women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy and offer assistance to these women. Our large, caring staff is able to assist you seven days a week and provide you with one-on-one counseling about your pregnancy and available options.

You should choose an adoption agency where you feel completely comfortable with their services and staff. With American Adoptions, you will work with an Adoption Specialist who is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Adoption Specialist will be your advocate and will provide support and guidance as you create an adoption plan that is right for you.

How will the family tell my child about me and the adoption when my child is older?

Each family has their own style of introducing adoption to the child. When you are matched with an adoptive family, you can ask them this question. If you would like your Adoption Specialist to discuss it for you, just let her know. He or she can share your wishes or provide good ideas from other adoptive families.

You will also be able to share what you want your baby to know about you. You can complete a keepsake booklet to share hobbies, stories, photos of you and your family and a letter to your baby. The adoptive family can provide this to your child as he or she grows older. Be as creative as you like! Some birth mothers have even knitted a special blanket as a gift to their baby or given a similar symbol of their love.

The father of your baby can fill out the birth father's keepsake booklet or write a letter too. You may have other family members who would also like to share photos or a letter to the baby. This is your opportunity to pass on your and your family's love and to share your personality, history and reasons for choosing adoption. The adoptive family will treasure whatever information you provide and will share it with the baby at an appropriate age. In most adoptive homes, the word adoption is in the child's vocabulary early on, and adoption is celebrated in their lives.

Additional Resources

Teen Pregnancy - Information for Young Women

While not every woman who chooses adoption is a young mother, many are. Through adoption, many young women have found an ability to give their babies the best life possible, while finding the opportunity to realize their own dreams, as well. Call American Adoptions today at 1-800-ADOPTION.

Read More

Adoption Glossary

Do adoption terms and phrases leave you feeling confused? Learn the meaning to key adoption words and phrases with our comprehensive adoption glossary.

Read More