Shared with friends & family
She did it! Baby’s arrived.
Lilly and Charlie are resting and soaking it all in. Thank you for all the love—we’ll share more soon.
One click. Back to what matters
Tell everyone once. Then put the phone down.
Share one pregnancy, labour or birth update with the circles you choose—without repeating yourself or managing a group chat.
Private by default. You choose who, when and if.
Why First Light
Six people, six replies, six times explaining the same thing.
When something happens—a scan, the start of labour, the birth—the instinct is to tell everyone straight away. That can mean repeating yourself and answering well-wishes one by one, when you have the least capacity for it. First Light turns it into one update, shared with the circles you choose.
How it works
Set it up before you need it.
A little preparation now means one less thing to manage when labour finally arrives.
01
Build your circles
Start with Inner Circle, Family and Friends—or add your own, such as work, the yoga girls or the football club. Share an invitation link and approve the people who request to join, ahead of time.
02
Prepare your messages
Write updates ahead of time—especially your labour message—so when the moment comes you only choose who sees it and send. You can always edit before sharing.
03
Choose who hears it
Tick the circles for this update. Different news can go to different people—so Mum and Dad hear first, and your yoga group only hears what you choose to share with them.
When labour begins
One message. Shared with your circles.
When labour starts, choose your circles and send the message you prepared ahead of time—the one you wrote when you had space to think. Then put the phone down. People can read your updates, but cannot reply while labour mode is on, so nothing else needs managing.
Share again only when you feel ready. One click lets everyone know how you are and allows you to get back to being present together.
First Light update
Friends & family
A little update from Lilly & Charlie
We’re in labour and feeling the love. We’ll share more when we can—thank you for holding us in your thoughts.
Friends and family can read the update
No replies in labour mode. The phone can go down.
The honest comparison
Why not just use WhatsApp?
In a group chat, every reply is visible to everyone, and there's a felt pressure to respond—especially once people can see you're online. First Light is a broadcast, not a thread: your update reaches only the circles you choose, with no shared conversation for anyone to keep up with or feel obligated to join.
And in labour mode, there are no replies.
- No replies in labour mode. Friends and family can read your updates, but cannot send replies while labour mode is on.
Group chat
Sarah: is there anything you need us to do??
Dave: how is Lilly feeling?
Mum is typing…
Even in broadcast-only WhatsApp groups, there is no option for differing levels of privacy.
First Light
A little update from Lilly & Charlie
We're in labour and feeling the love. We'll share more when we can—thank you for holding us in your thoughts.
Friends and family can read the update. Replies aren't possible while labour mode is on.
Share on your terms
Every circle sees only what you choose.
Family might get a scan update. Work friends might just hear the essentials. Add the circles that matter to you, then choose which ones can see each update.
- You approve who joins your circles.
- You choose the circles for every update.
- You can share less, later—or not at all.
Everything looked good today. We’re going to enjoy this quietly for a little while.
Inner circle
We’ve got the essentials covered. If you’d like to help, meals for the freezer would be lovely.
Family
We’re taking things slowly and will share here when we’re ready.
Friends
When words are hard
First Light follows your lead.
Some days take more than others. Share a short note, pause for a while, or say nothing at all. There is no right amount to share.
- ✦Use a few prepared words
- ◌Share only with your inner circle
- —Wait until you are ready
First Light
A private invitation
You’re invited to join.
Request to join a private space for updates from someone you care about. Once they approve you, you’ll see what they choose to share with your circle.
A small kindness: please keep anything shared here within this circle.
For friends and family
Kept close, without needing to check in.
The app is the best way to receive updates. Friends and family can also follow in a browser: they open your invitation link, sign up or sign in, and request to join. Once you approve them, they can see updates shared with their circle—no app required.
- Best in the app. Notifications are discreet: they never show an update title or message.
- A browser option too. Open your invitation link and request to join in a browser—no app required. They can follow once you approve their request.
- Clear boundaries. They see only the updates you chose for their circle.
- Private from the start. An invitation link lets someone request to join. They cannot see your updates until you approve them.
Best experience
Once you’re approvedFollow the journey in your browser, or sign in to the mobile app with the same account if you prefer.
Private by design
Your story is yours.
First Light is built around boundaries, not broadcasting. You decide who comes in and what you share.
No public profile or searchable feed
People request to join through an invitation link. Your updates stay private to the circles you choose.
You approve who joins
Anyone with your invitation link can sign up or sign in and request to join. You approve each new person before they can see your updates, so a forwarded link alone does not give access.
Sharing is always a choice
No update goes to friends or family unless they are in a circle you have shared with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you invite anyone.
Are replies held back during labour?
No. Friends and family cannot send replies while labour mode is on, so there is no queue of replies waiting for you afterwards. They can read your updates. When labour mode ends, they can send replies again.
Why not just use WhatsApp?
Group chats are good for conversation. First Light is for one private update reaching the circles you choose, without a shared thread everyone has to keep up with. While labour mode is on, people can read your updates, but cannot reply.
Do I have to share dates or pregnancy details?
Your due date is private. You may be asked for it when setting up a parent journey, but First Light never shares dates or personal details automatically.
Can different people see different updates?
Yes. That is the heart of First Light. You can choose your inner circle, family or friends each time you share. You can also set up your own circles for yoga or work friends, for example.
Do friends and family need the app?
No. Friends and family can open your invitation link, sign up or sign in, and request to join in a browser. Once you approve them, they can follow without installing the app. We do recommend the app for the best experience, but it isn't a necessity.
Your journey, your way
Start your journey.
Create your First Light account, then choose the people and moments you want to share.