Is This Stealing the Spotlight?

A standard rule when it comes to lifting things is about 30 lbs, if say what you are lifting is normal for you then continuing to lift it while pregnant is fine. You wouldn't want to do it like an assembly line, but there is no real harm to the baby. Unless you are high risk. The risk is really to you as you get bigger and more awkward. Just thought I'd put that out there...

As others have said, I would tell the MIL at the very least and then wait until mom and baby have basked in the new mommy glow.

please wait until after 10-12 weeks. Allow the family the joy of having a new baby, allow yourself time to make it thru the 1st trimester, & then share the wonderful news!

I would wait until the end of 1st trimester, which is what I would do anyway regardless of someone else's events. But in your case, it would be extra considerate. If you need to, then tell your MIL but do it like Sherri G suggested.

Could you tell your MIL in private, and wait until you are three months along to make the big announcment? Just tell her that although it is to soon to announce your pregnancy, you feel she needs to know because it affects your ability to do certain duties at work.

Wait till the end of the first trimester. That, I believe, is the end of the "danger zone".

The not picking up heavy things happens a little latter in pregnancy. Either try to tell a whole week before the birth of your niece/nephew or wait a whole week after. I have also lost three pregnancies, but I don't let that stop me from telling family before the fetal pole. I just don't tell friends and acquaintances until after a confirmed heart rate.

ETA: for those who say wait until after first trimester to tell, they clearly did not have pregnancy nausea or see much of their families. I had to tell, I was non-functionally sick in the first trimester and there was no hiding it from family we saw often. If you work with your MIL, chances are you are going to have to tell her before first trimester is over. If nausea kicks in it will be about the time of the birthday. If thats the case tell MIL when you can no longer hide it and tell SIL a few weeks later.

I'd rather wait until I was 12 weeks along before announcing, if it were me. Not because of the spotlight issue (though that's a good point), but because it's "safer" to wait until the first trimester is done.

Also, it might hurt YOUR spotlight if you announce too soon. How will you feel if no one pays any attention because they're so busy oohing and ahhing over the new baby?

As far as your MIL is concerned, I have to say that when you have a hurt back, it takes a LONG time to heal. Two months is nothing! So keep complaining about back twinges. I wouldn't be surprised if your back starts to hurt you anyway!

Dawn

Congratulations!!!

Not to rain on your parade...but I've lost 3 pregnancies...one at 12 weeks, one at 22 weeks and one at 14 weeks. I would wait until after 14 weeks to make an announcement - but that is ME...

If your doctor told you not pick up heavy things - then you need to tell your MIL and ask her to keep it on the down-low until you are past the point and your BILs child is born....she should be able to keep that - right??? Or is she the gossipy type of girl!?

I love how you are being considerate of your SIL and her feelings...but in all honesty? I think it's a time for EVERYONE to be happy... I don't think timing really matters about that...I don't think you would stealing the spotlight at all...I would HOPE that the whole family would be happy about the family growing!!

There is no rush. To me. To "announce it."

You are only 5 weeks.

Me, I waited until about 3 months, before making announcements.
But then again, I had had a miscarriage before.

Does your MIL have a big mouth or is a gossipy type?
If so, I wouldn't tell her until YOU are comfortable doing so and have no problem with *HER* telling everyone. Despite your own privacy.
Hopefully, she lets you... tell everyone.

Wait until 12-13 weeks.

I think it's super considerate of you to think of your SIL's feelings - kudos on that!

I would try to wait a couple or a few weeks after she's had the baby, if I could.

I wouldn't care. My sisters and SIL were all pregnant / delivering around the same time and we all rejoiced with each other.

The hardest was when I was delivering my still born son and my SIL went into labor the same night and had her beautiful, healthy baby the day after.

Life doesn't always respect the "right" timing for things.

I don't really know what the family dynamics are like for you guys. It wouldn't be a problem for us, but if you feel it might be, maybe keep it somewhat quiet until you hear the heartbeat? Only you can know what might be best in your relationship...

Congratulations!
You can lift what you normally lift with no problems.. You need to stay as active as you have been.

Heck I was able to set up a whole Christmas dept while pregnant with no problems. Walked a whole market for 10 days while 8 months pregnant.

i would wait until you are at least 12 weeks to share the good news. We did not tell till I was past 12 weeks and the pregnancy seemed to fly by...

You will look like lady gracious, for allowing SIL baby to get all of the attention for a long time..

Then you will get to have all of the attention when your baby arrives.

If you can't wait the full 3 months to tell the family, I would tell them now, not after the baby's birth. Telling soon after would be stealing the spotlight just a little and although you won't mean it that way, your SIL may see it that way because afterall she will be tired and emotional.

Maybe tell SIL and ask if she would prefer you tell now or after the baby?

I would simply wait until you feel comfortable and let that be your time table. I really dont get why it would stealing the spot light at any time, unless you announce in your SIL's hopital room!!
When I was about to deliver my middle son, my best friend had found she was pregnant after trying for YEARS. She wait to tell me until my baby was a few weeks old, and told other people before telling me, because she didn't want to "steal the spotlight"..... I was a little miffed at that lol, I NEVER would've felt like that! A pregnancy is such an awesome thing, that everyone should be ecstatic no matter when you tell them!! It's not a contest, it's a wonderful happy blessing! So when you feel "safe" to announce, do it! And CONGRATS :)

I like Sherri G's idea. You can't really get around telling your MIL, but just make sure she knows you'd rather not have anyone else know until *you* make the announcement.

Personally, I would either tell them NOW, or wait a week or two after the baby is born.

That way, by the time the baby is born, your news will not be so 'brand new' any more, and people will focus on the new baby more... OR the baby and your SIL has a chance to be the 'stars' for a while. :)

I don't think it would hurt anything at all for you to tell everyone, even right now. I don't think you are stealing the spotlight. I mean, I think if your SIL knew, she could help answer any questions that you have, and it would bring you all closer together! How nice that you will have kids so close together!! Congrats!!

Depends on how much of an announcement you make of it. If you just tell people in our family (like your MIL) in person, I don't think it's and issue. If you make it a big announcement at a family gathering...yes, that would be a bit over the top.
Good luck.

My SIL announced her pregnancy (around 5 weeks along) a week before I gave birth. The focus turned to her and all of her drama instead of me. After I had the baby, the nurses were more concerned about her because she made a big show about having pain (it was gas). I don't know what your relationship is with your SIL, but I would definitely wait until she has had the baby. I think around 3 weeks after delivery is fine--that way you will also be almost past the danger zone. BTW--the same SIL was pregnant again when I found out about being pregnant. She asked me not to tell the labor and delivery staff that I was expecting because she wanted all the focus to be on her--hello, I was 16 weeks and it was pretty obvious.