Going to your first ultrasound after a miscarriage can be a nerve-wracking experience. Whether it’s weeks or months later, walking back into the scan room can bring a lot of emotions, from fear and grief to hope and guarded excitement. If you’re reading this because you’re approaching your first ultrasound after miscarriage, know that you’re not alone and that there are communities and compassionate professionals who understand what this moment means.
This blog will go over some of our best tips for soothing scan anxiety and getting ready for scan day so that you can feel as emotionally and physically prepared as possible.
Leading Up to the Appointment
For many expectant mothers, waiting for the scan is often the hardest part. For expectant mothers who have previously experienced a miscarriage, the wait can be filled with dread and anxiety: What if it happens again? What if I get bad news?
To help manage this pre scan anxiety, it can be helpful to talk to close friends and family about how you are feeling or use techniques like journalling to process your emotions. If you are worried your emotions will get the better of you on the day, try practicing relaxation techniques and breathing exercises beforehand so they are familiar and can be used during the appointment. Writing down any questions you may have can also be a good idea as you may forget them in the moment.
Some mothers may find that scheduling the scan early in the day can help to reduce wait time anxiety. When you’re booking in, be sure to let the clinic know that you have previously experienced a miscarriage so that they can be prepared for your anxiety and tailor the experience to make it more emotionally manageable.
It is completely normal to feel hopeful, distracted or paranoid before your first ultrasound after miscarriage. You may feel hyper-aware of your pregnancy symptoms or be replaying your previous scan experiences in your head – this is all part of the process, there is no ‘right’ way to feel before that first scan.
The Day of the Scan
On the day of the scan, it is a good idea to bring a support person with you, whether it’s a partner, friend or family member. This person can help to comfort you and process the information you receive. If you want to have the screen faced away from you or be told immediately about any heartbeat, let the sonographer know ahead of time – don’t be afraid to communicate your needs and ask for things that will make the experience more comfortable for you.
Whatever happens, your emotions and reactions are valid. If there is a heartbeat, you may feel relief but also guilt, disbelief and grief for your previous miscarriage. If the scan brings unexpected or unclear results, you may feel completely numb or like you have been thrown back into the unknown. Once again, there truly is no ‘right’ way to feel or behave during the ultrasound, you may want to ask questions, stay a little longer or say nothing at all and leave quickly – whatever you feel and want to do is okay and your sonographer will never judge your reactions.
Your First Ultrasound After Miscarriage with First Encounters
At First Encounters, we have plenty of experience supporting mothers through their first ultrasound after miscarriage, so you can trust that our sonographers will be professional, welcoming and ready to support you no matter what the scan result may be.
Here are some testimonials from women who have visited First Encounters after losing a prior pregnancy:
“You guys were absolutely wonderful, very friendly and knowledgeable. I was extremely scared and on edge due to previous miscarriages, but you made us both feel at ease. The ladies were amazing, they were very reassuring and understanding when I got emotional and immediately gave me tissues and comforted me. They were patient and kind and explained everything with detail. Thank you so so much for this great experience.” – Anya, September 2023
“All staff encountered were incredibly professional and caring. The sonogapher was excellent, and worked very quickly to reassure us as soon as he noticed my nerves due to a previous miscarriage. Exceptional service that makes such a difference during what can be a very stressful time.” – Anna, May 2023
“Such a welcoming, caring environment. I felt at ease straight away. I was anxious after two previous miscarriages but as soon as we got there, we were made to feel relaxed. The gentleman we saw was very professional and informative and helped put us at ease. I would recommend First Encounters Ultrasound to all my friends and family. Thank you for making our experience special.” – Angelique, March 2025
To book your scan, use the link below.
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