There is nothing more exciting than making the big announcement, “I’m pregnant!”  Here are some cute ways you can tell everyone that you are expecting.  And for some of these, don’t forget to have someone there with a video camera!

1. Purchase a classified ad that states something like, “To the Smith and Harper Families:  I am pregnant!  Susie” Then tell everyone on Saturday to be sure to check the classified ads for Sunday.  You can even make up a story like, “I am selling my old <item here> and want to be sure the ad looks alright. Look under “Miscellaneous” and find my name.”   Expect many excited phone calls to follow!
2. Purchase a bottle of champagne (or bouquet of flowers) and tie a pacifier on to the neck with ribbons and bows.  Wrap the bottle up and give it as a gift at Christmas, on a birthday or other holiday.  Watch the confused looks until they see the pacifier.  If there aren’t any birthdays in the near future, simply visit someone’s house and bring the bottle (or flowers) as a gift.
3. Facebook?  Why not!  Imagine everyone’s surprise at your Wall Announcement that you are expecting!
4. If you have a Myspace or blog, consider posting an animated pregnancy countdown ticker and see who notices first!
5. Why not hold a small party for special family and friends.  Then make the big announcement just before dessert.
6. Buy a flip camera and make a video of yourself announcing your good news.  Then post it on Youtube and send everyone the link.
7. Purchase or print up t-shirts with “Grandma” and “Grandpa” on them.  Wrap them and deliver them in person.  Remember the video camera!
8. During the next family gathering, explain that you would like to take a family photo.  When everyone is lined up and you are behind the camera, make your announcement.  As the joyous reactions start, snap the picture!
9. Send a text message to your special contacts.  You can try a few things.  “In case anyone is interested, we are registered at Babies R Us,” or “What rhymes with Maybe and starts with a B,” or “Roses are red, violets are blue.  I’m going to have a baby, whether pink or blue!”
10. Buy a package of diapers.  Use a pretty permanent marker color to write the day you are expecting on each diaper.  Mail the diapers to special family members, making sure your return address is on each envelope.  You can even place these in mailboxes or inside of screen doors for local family.  See how long it takes for people to figure it out!

A study has been published in the Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease about the possible risk of future heart disease when prenatal exposure to H1N1 occurs.

The study looked at 100,000 people born around the time of the United States influenza pandemic in 1918.  The men in this group who were born in 1919 were 17 percent more likely to have heart disease as adults.  Their mothers were in the second to third trimester during the height of the epidemic.  Even more interesting, men who were born in 1919 did not show the average height growth that men in previous and later years had.

Women born in the second quarter of 1919 were 17 percent more likely to have heart disease later in life.  However, those women born in the first quarter did not have an increased risk of future heart disease.  This may show a gender difference regarding how the virus attacks males vs. females.

Currently, more than 100 women have been hospitalized due to the H1N1 virus.  Furthermore, twenty eight pregnant women have died.  It is recommended that pregnant women get the H1N1 vaccination, but not the nasal spray.  Looking back to the 1918 flu pandemic, there are signs that even mild maternal flu cases may result in long lasting health problems for their children later in life.