5 Reasons Not to Post a Fake Pregnancy Announcement for Laughs

Out of Respect for Your Infertile Friends and Those Who Have Lost a Baby

The number one reason you should not post a fake pregnancy announcement? Out of respect for all of your infertile friends and all those who have lost a baby.

Your joke is going to be very, very painful for them.

Odds are—because most people dealing with infertility or experiencing early miscarriage keep it a secret—you won’t even know who these friends are.

Baby pictures, ultrasound scans, and pregnancy announcements... these kinds of Facebook posts bring a heaviness in the chest that you just cannot understand unless you’ve experienced it. And that's talking about the real ones.

So, first, your friend or family member is going to think you’re truly pregnant.

They will be happy for you, but heartbroken for themselves. They will once again be reminded that people around them are having babies seemingly with ease, while they fight and fight.

If they lost a child, they may remember when they first got pregnant. Then, remember losing that baby.

They may cry.

Then, you will post it was all a joke...haha.

And they are going to be so angry. And hurt.

Don’t. Do. It.

You'll Be Answering Questions for Days

You post your prank: “I’m pregnant!”

Some of your friends see your post. Some don’t. But usually, the Facebook algorithm will boost this sort of life announcement. (Facebook doesn’t know you’re “just kidding.”) Therefore, a lot of your friends may see it. In fact, it’s likely that friends of friends will see it, too. (That includes people you may not know.)

Some people will comment, some won’t. But most of those who do comment will not come back to read follow-up comments.

So... when you make the big reveal 15 minutes or 50 minutes later that it was all a joke, especially if you make that reveal in the comment section, most of your friends won’t see it.

Even if you make a separate Facebook post that it was a joke, there is no way to guarantee that all of your friends will see it.

All those people who saw your original post and never saw your admission that it was all a prank?

They still think you’re really pregnant.

This means tomorrow, at work, people will be congratulating you... even people you are not connected with on Facebook.

“Congratulations! Wow, I see you’re already showing a bit, hey!”

“No, no, I’m not pregnant.”

“But I heard, I saw...”

“No, it was a joke.”

“Oh.”

Yeah. Awkward. Awkward for days.

When You’re Actually Pregnant, People Won’t Believe You

You know the story of the boy who cried wolf, right?

Well, now you’re that person.

When you’re actually pregnant, whether it’s months or even years later, instead of getting a stream of congratulations, you’ll get at least some comments like this:

Really?

Show us the ultrasound! I want proof!

Sure you are...

Don’t ruin your big moment in the future with a petty prank today.

Some of Your Friends Will Be Hurt You Didn’t Tell Them First

There are some things you don’t want to find out via Facebook.

Family deaths.

Engagement announcements.

And pregnancies.

Remember that when people first see your prank post, they will believe you are serious. Your closest friends and family may feel hurt. They will wonder why you didn’t tell them first. How did they not know already? When you finally reveal that it was all a joke, those negative first feelings are going to linger.

You don’t want that.

You May Break Your Mother’s Heart

You know why you shouldn’t post a fake pregnancy announcement? Your mom.

Oh my goodness, your poor mom.

Let’s assume your mom would be happy to hear you’re pregnant. Let’s assume she’s dying to become a grandma.

Your fake post is going to make her heart soar. She’s going to scream, and pick up the phone, and call your father, your grandmother, your aunts, your uncles, your siblings, all your cousins, and her hairstylist.

Basically, in less than five minutes, the entire world is going to know. Then when you reveal it was all a joke? You’re going to break her heart. (And piss off all your family.)

On the other hand, let’s say she would be very unhappy to hear you’re expecting. You’re going to give her a heart attack. And while she is fainting over this shocking news, you know what she’s going to do?

She’s going to call your father, your grandmother, your aunts, your uncles, your siblings, all your cousins, and her hairstylist.

Don’t do this to your mom. Or anyone else, for that matter.