Afraid of the ultrasound? How to prepare

The ultrasound appointment is in the diary. You want to know how your baby is doing, and at the same time you’d rather skip the day altogether. Maybe you remember an examination where you were given bad news. Maybe this is your first pregnancy and the uncertainty is frightening.

You do not have to feel calm or full of anticipation before the appointment. But you can prepare which questions you want to ask and who will support you. Here you’ll find questions for the conversation and suggestions for the time before and after.

Why an ultrasound appointment can feel frightening

After a miscarriage, a new pregnancy can bring hope and worry at the same time. Miscarriage UK explains that even normal check-ups only reassure some people for a short time. Others find extra appointments more of a strain. Talk to your care team about how appointments feel for you. Miscarriage UK: Pregnancy after miscarriage.

A phrase like “You just need to think positively” does not answer your questions. You’re allowed to hope for a good outcome and still feel afraid. Your feelings do not tell you how the examination will turn out.

A short note for your appointment

You do not need a full list of every worry. Start with three points: What is weighing on me? What do I want to know? What should the team know about me?

• My biggest worry: “At the last examination I found out about the loss. Since this appointment has been getting closer, I’ve been sleeping badly.”
• My question: “What can you assess today, and what can’t be said for certain yet?”
• My request: “Please briefly explain at the start how the examination will go. If you’re quiet for a while, please tell me what’s happening.”

These sentences are made-up examples of what you might say. Even one sentence can be enough for your appointment. If speaking in the examination room feels difficult, show your note or ask the person with you to start.

Tommy’s recommends saying if you’re feeling tense before the examination and planning support for the appointment. You can also say whether you want to look at the screen straight away. What is possible during the examination is something you can discuss with the person doing it. Tommy’s: early ultrasound appointments after a miscarriage.

Four things you can sort out beforehand

Who is coming with you?

Ask the clinic whether someone can come in with you and whether you’ll need childcare for an older child. Tell the person coming with you as clearly as possible what helps: “Please listen carefully when they explain things” or “If I go quiet, please ask what the next step is.” If you’re going on your own, you could arrange a phone call for afterwards.

What do you need for the journey?

Write down the address, time and any paperwork. If you can, allow a bit of extra time for travelling there. Ask the clinic what preparation is needed; guidance can vary depending on the examination. You do not have to work it out from other pregnant women’s experiences.

What do you say in the waiting room?

You’re allowed to say at reception: “This appointment is hard for me because of my history. Could you please pass that on?” If you need support, you do not have to wait until someone notices how tense you are.

Who is expecting a message afterwards?

If five people are waiting for news, you may also feel under pressure to reply to everyone. One possible message beforehand is: “We’ll get in touch when we’re ready. Please don’t ask one by one today.” You can also ask one person to pass on a message you’ve approved.

If everything is not clear straight away during the examination

An ultrasound shows what can be seen at the time of the examination. It cannot predict everything that will happen afterwards. In very early examinations, another check is sometimes needed before the findings can be understood. Your medical team will decide when that makes sense based on your situation. Tommy’s explains unclear early findings.

NHS information about ultrasound scans also explains that the baby’s position can make it hard to get a clear view. So a longer examination or a repeat scan on its own does not tell you what is going on medically. Ask for the specific assessment. NHS: Ultrasound scans in pregnancy.

Before you leave, these questions can help: “What do we know now? What is still unclear? When will I know more? Who can I contact if I have new symptoms?” Ask for a written summary if you’re not able to take in the information well right now.

Plan for the time after the appointment too

You may feel relieved. You may need some time even after a normal result. Or some questions may still be open. If you can, try not to plan any other commitments straight afterwards.

You might have something to eat with the person who came with you, go home or have a short walk. Only then decide who you want to tell about how it went. If you write things down, separate the medical information from your reaction: “The next check-up is on Tuesday” and “I can feel that waiting is hard for me” are two different pieces of information.

For the days between examinations, you’ll find gentle wording in the article Affirmations after miscarriage. If the same questions go round and round in your head in the evening, you could try the writing exercise for overthinking.

When you need extra support

If the anxiety is seriously affecting your sleep, eating or everyday life, talk to your midwife, doctor or a psychotherapist. Emotional strain can be part of your pregnancy care.

If you have bleeding or abdominal pain that worries you, contact your medical team. If you have abdominal pain together with bleeding, or severe or ongoing pain, you need medical advice straight away. If the pain is very severe, the bleeding is heavy or you faint, call your local emergency number. Do not wait for the planned ultrasound appointment. NHS: Stomach pain in pregnancy and Warning signs that need immediate help.

Keeping track of your thoughts between appointments

In MomMirror, you can say in text or voice what is on your mind before an appointment. In the check-in, you can also record your mood, sleep, energy and stress. That way, you can find the words later that might be hard to come up with in the conversation.

Download MomMirror and try your first check-in. For iOS and Android, with optional in-app purchases. The conversation note works just as well on paper.

Sources

• Tommy’s: Early pregnancy scans after a miscarriage. Coping with tension, and the possibilities and limits of early examinations.
• Miscarriage UK: Pregnancy After Miscarriage. Feelings, uncertainty and support in a new pregnancy.
• NHS: Ultrasound scans in pregnancy. What happens during ultrasound examinations and how to understand them.
• NHS: Stomach pain in pregnancy and Ectopic pregnancy: Symptoms. When symptoms need urgent medical assessment.

Current as of: 9 September 2026. Conversation guide and examples: MomMirror editorial team. Created with AI support; not medically reviewed by a specialist. Images: AI-generated illustrations.

Note about MomMirror

MomMirror is an app for self-reflection. It does not make diagnoses, assess ultrasound findings or replace medical or psychotherapeutic treatment. The sources mentioned do not prove the app’s effectiveness.