If you have an ultrasound scan coming up – whether it’s your very first pregnancy scan, a follow-up appointment or a 4D bonding scan – it is perfectly normal to feel a little nervous or anxious beforehand. In this blog, we will discuss some common questions about scan anxiety and share some great anxiety management techniques that you can use to help reduce nerves before your ultrasound appointment.
Common Reasons for Ultrasound Anxiety
- Uncertainty: An ultrasound scan is a tool that’s used to screen for potential problems. Awareness of this can be a major source of anxiety for some expectant parents as they worry that an abnormality or problem with their baby’s development may be found.
- First-time experience: Many mothers who have not experienced an ultrasound scan before may be anxious as they don’t know what to expect from the procedure itself. Fear of the clinical environment, worries about being in a vulnerable position and not knowing how results will be communicated can also contribute to scan anxiety.
- Pregnancy after loss: Previous losses can make scans particularly nerve-wracking as the parents will have heightened awareness of risks. In addition to this, being in the scan environment can sometimes trigger bad memories of past experiences. For more support on this topic, check out our blog post How to Prepare for Your First Ultrasound After Miscarriage.
Will Nerves Affect My Scan Results?
No, being anxious or nervous during your pregnancy scan will not affect or compromise the results of the scan itself. This is because the ultrasound technology uses sound waves to create images of the baby and your internal organs, and the results are based purely on the visible physical characteristics.
Tips for Managing Ultrasound Anxiety
- Research the procedure: Having a rough idea of what to expect and understanding that ultrasounds are safe and non-invasive can help to reduce anxiety levels.
- Bring a support person: Bringing a partner, friend or family member to your scan can be comforting and help you to process the information you receive.
- Prepare questions: Writing down any questions you may have before your appointment is also a good idea as you may forget them in the moment.
- Practice relaxation: Practising slow, deep breaths, grounding techniques like the 3-3-3 rule (name 3 things you see, 3 sounds you hear, move 3 body parts) and listening to music can all help you feel calmer and more in control.
- Talk to staff: Sonographers are trained to help you feel comfortable, so don’t be afraid to tell them you are anxious and ask for any adjustments that might help you such as asking for the screen to be turned away.
- Plan quiet time afterwards: Plan something enjoyable or restful after the appointment to give yourself space to process the information and emotions that come up.
At First Encounters, we understand that the emotional weight of potential ultrasound outcomes can be a lot for expectant mothers to carry. This is why we ensure that all of our sonographers and staff are trained to be welcoming, professional and empathetic in order to make the ultrasound process as easy and stress-free as possible.
To book a scan with us, click the link below!
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If you have any questions about our ultrasound scans or clinic, please get in touch with us today and a member of our team will be happy to help!
