How do I tell clients struggling with infertility that I am pregnant?

[aw9870]

So I own a skin clinic, All my clients are women from all walks of life but I have quite a few clients of mine have a history of infertility/miscarriage etc. I am 14 weeks pregnant and wondering what the best way to let them know I am pregnant is as I am a private person so won't be making an announcement on my business Instagram etc until I am almost due when I will take maternity time off.

Is it best to say in person? However I don't want them to feel they have to have a forced reaction and my space and treatments are for them to forget their worries etc and relax when they're having a facial so don't want to upset anyone.

Is it better to say over text? Although that seems so odd to pop them a text!

Do I just wait until I start showing? I'm already getting a bump! This is my first child so expected to show later on but I definitely am getting a bump, and don't know if that's a strange way for them to figure it out by just seeing my bump and me not saying anything when I see these clients every month once a month.

I just want to be as kind and sensitive as I can, can anyone give me any advice at all? I'd greatly appreciate it.

I wouldn't say anything they will work it out from your bump eventually. Later on you will either be informing clients personally or by email about your maternity leave plans.

Thank you for this take, I would never want to come across as patronising or pitying etc! I just really truly do care, it's coming from a good place. However I can totally see how it may come across so thank you for this.

Another one agreeing with - don't say anything. Some will comment when you start showing and you can tell them then. Certainly no texts.

Whatever you do don’t make a thing of it and I wouldn’t target the specific women. Getting a personal text from a business I go to about this would make me so uncomfortable and I might be put off going back as I’d be thinking of the text and whether I should bring it up.

The email sent to all about not being able to make appointments at x date because you have a maternity scan might work as it’s not targeting anyone and gives the news indirectly for those to know before they see you again.

Personally I’d just wait until I was showing and then people will figure it out. Some might mention it and others won’t either way they’ll be unsurprised if you mention you were decorating he nursery at the weekend or plan to start maternity leave in X months etc

It is a weird relationship because you are not friends but it's weirdly intimate and I'm sure your clients tell you all their deepest secrets. I mean so so many people are pregnant at any one time, it's just something you expect of most women so it won't be a massive surprise. I honestly would just don't announce and then slip something into the conversation eg if they ask you what you have been up to mention a midwife appointment. If they want to congratulate you they will, if its too hard to discuss then they won't. No one wants to feel like someone is pitying them.

I remember 2 weeks after my miscarriage my DH booked me a haircut to cheer me up and as soon as I sat in the chair a lovely lady who was around 9 months pregnant came over to start my haircut. It was nice to just be excited for her as a stranger and chat about her upcoming bundle and for 1 hour of my life pretend I wasn't dealing with infertility and miscarriage.

The relevant context for them is what services will be available while you're on mat leave.

Are you getting cover? Will you recommend anyone else? Will want to give them the opportunity to get a final appointment in before you finish up?

Don't say 'some of you might find this difficult but ....'. When this type of question is asked lots of women who've struggled with infertility say that would rub them up the wrong way.