When pregnancy announcements don’t go as planned—this mom’s viral video hits hard

Pregnancy announcements are supposed to be a joyful moment. But for one mom on TikTok, sharing her big news didn’t go quite as planned—and the internet has some thoughts.

Kait Ragland (@kait.ragland) posted a video three days ago that has since garnered 6.9 million views. In it, she shares her family’s hilariously underwhelming reaction to her pregnancy announcement, sparking a wave of conversation about why families sometimes respond awkwardly to such big news.

@kait.ragland Try not to cringe 🙃 to be fair we had joked around weeks before we even knew 😂 #pregnancyannouncement #pregnancyannouncementfail #failvideo #familyof4 #pregnanttiktok #2under2 #firsttrimester #pregnancyannouncementideas #relatable #fyp #stayathomemom #viralvideo ♬ original sound – Kaitlyn| SAHM 🩵

Luckily, Kait and her husband found the whole situation funny, taking the reaction in stride and laughing about it afterward. In a follow-up video, Kait shares that her family’s reaction wasn’t dismissive but part of their humor-filled dynamic. She and her husband found it hilarious and took it in stride, showing how they turned an awkward moment into laughter and love.

@kait.ragland Replying to @whitneyaelliott hope this helps your assumptions 💗 #pregnancyannouncement #pregnancyannouncementfail #failvideo #familyof4 #pregnanttiktok #2under2 #viralvideo #firsttrimester #pregnancyannouncementideas #fyp #stayathomemom #relatable ♬ original sound – Kaitlyn| SAHM 🩵

The original video, which features her attempting to share her joy, has racked up hundreds of thousands of likes and comments. Some of the top ones nail the humor—and the reality—of the situation:

• @Whitney B: “And the crowd went mild.” (46.7K likes)

• @kthoney: “Heavy on the ‘yikes.’ He’s a keeper 💚” (166.2K likes)

• @B: “Who needs enemies when you have family 😭💀” (27.1K likes)

If you’ve ever been in Kait’s shoes, you know the sting of someone else’s less-than-enthusiastic reaction. But Kait’s positive attitude reminds us all that sometimes, all you can do is laugh. So what’s really going on when family reactions fall flat? Let’s break it down.

Why do some families react awkwardly?

Not every pregnancy announcement is met with tears of joy, and there are a lot of reasons why. Sometimes, it boils down to the element of surprise—people might need a minute (or ten) to process the news. Other times, stressors like financial worries, personal struggles, or even unresolved family tensions can get in the way.

For Kait, commenters speculated that her family may have been dealing with their own concerns or simply didn’t know how to express excitement. But as many moms in the comments noted, that doesn’t make it hurt less—or any less funny in hindsight.

Related: Viral TikTok proves families will do *anything* for their only grandchild

The second (or third) pregnancy slump

Unfortunately, this type of reaction is even more common when announcing a second or third pregnancy. The novelty of a first baby often comes with extra fanfare, but subsequent announcements? Not always.

Society has this unspoken rule that parents should already have everything “figured out” by baby number two or three, making the excitement feel less urgent to some. This can leave expectant parents like Kait feeling unsupported, even when they were hoping for the same level of joy as before.

How to navigate disappointing reactions and protect your joy

Here’s the thing: No one can steal your joy unless you let them. If you find yourself facing a lukewarm (or downright cold) response, here are a few ways to keep the focus on your happiness:

1. Set boundaries. If family reactions tend to be a source of stress, consider sharing the news in a smaller, more private setting—or even via text if that feels safer.

2. Focus on the supporters. There’s always someone who will match your excitement. Lean into friends, partners, or even online communities who understand and celebrate with you.

3. Keep perspective. People’s reactions often have more to do with them than with you. Their concerns or lack of enthusiasm don’t diminish the beauty of your news.

Related: TikTok’s ‘normal home’ trend is going viral—and it proves your ‘average’ house is actually amazing

What NOT to say when someone announces a pregnancy

Kait’s video also sparked a conversation about what not to say when someone shares their baby news. Let’s all commit to avoiding these phrases:

• “Another one?”

• “How are you going to afford that?”

• “I guess you’ll be busy now!”

• “Was it planned?”

• Anything that starts with, “But what about…”

A pregnancy announcement is a deeply personal and emotional moment. If you don’t know what to say, stick to the classics: “Congratulations!” or “I’m so happy for you!”

Kait’s TikTok reminds us that moms deserve to feel supported and celebrated—whether it’s their first baby or their fifth. Even when reactions don’t go as planned, Kait’s humor and positivity are a great reminder to keep laughing and focus on what really matters: the exciting journey ahead.