How to Prepare Mentally for Your First Ultrasound Scan

No matter what you plan for your pregnancy, an ultrasound scan is vital. You may feel nervous, excited, or fearful, but getting that first ultrasound will answer some critical questions. Let’s examine the ultrasound process and consider how to prepare physically and mentally. 

HeartReach offers no-cost, confidential, limited obstetric ultrasounds. Take advantage of this scan to protect your health.

What Is an Ultrasound?

A prenatal ultrasound checks the health and development of your pregnancy. Generally, an early ultrasound determines how far along you are in your pregnancy (gestational age), the location of the pregnancy, and whether or not it is developing.

Ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of the inside of your body. At HeartReach, a licensed RN or Ultrasound Technician performs our scans. 

To prepare, you most likely will be asked to come with a full bladder. This helps our technician view the pregnancy better. The technician will also ask that you wear a comfortable 2-piece outfit. Wearing pants or leggings allows them to scan your abdomen without you fully undressing. 

You lie on the examining table while our technician applies a small amount of gel to your belly.

The gel helps transmit sound waves more efficiently.

Next, the technician rubs a wand-like instrument called a transducer over the gel. The transducer sends sound waves into your body, which bounce back. The echoes of those sound waves create black-and-white dots on a computer screen, which form an image of your pregnancy.

What Does an Ultrasound Reveal?

An ultrasound answers three essential questions:

1. How many weeks and days have you been pregnant? The technician can correctly determine the gestational age by taking measurements.
   
2. Where is the pregnancy located? An ectopic pregnancy means the pregnancy is developing outside the uterus. This type of pregnancy cannot survive and can cause serious damage, even becoming life-threatening.
   
3. Is the pregnancy developing, or have you had a miscarriage? Experts estimate that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage. Most miscarriages occur within the first 12 weeks.

Preparing Mentally

Healthcare providers have many different reasons for why you need an ultrasound. Don’t let fear of the unknown keep you from getting this vital scan. There are no harmful side effects for you or the pregnancy from an ultrasound.

As your pregnancy progresses, anticipate the possibility of hearing a fetal heartbeat during the ultrasound. Usually, if your ultrasound is routine and your pregnancy is low-risk, you may have just one more scan if you wish.

We understand that the results of an ultrasound can bring out many emotions. We’re here to support you with whatever you need. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed and cry. You won’t be alone.

Getting a No-Cost Ultrasound From HeartReach

Before receiving a no-cost limited obstetric ultrasound at HeartReach, you must schedule pregnancy testing first. Or, bring proof of pregnancy from your medical provider. 

Please contact us by filling out our online Contact Form or calling (907) 373-3456. You can reach us after hours by calling (800) 712-4357. 

We want to protect your health and safety, so we offer no-cost pregnancy testing and an ultrasound. We’re here to help in any way we can.