@elliemay.sahm's reassurance scan advice, fact-checked

What does this video actually claim?

The TikTok creator shares her experience with "reassurance scans" during pregnancy after miscarriage, suggesting you can get ultrasounds without a doctor's referral. She mentions finding this option after googling late at night and connects it to anxiety about decreased pregnancy symptoms.

The post targets women who've experienced pregnancy loss and are anxious in subsequent pregnancies. While she doesn't explicitly give medical advice, the implication is that private ultrasound clinics offer an alternative when you can't get scans through your regular healthcare provider.

Are reassurance scans actually helpful for anxiety?

The research on this is mixed at best. Studies show that while ultrasounds can provide temporary relief, they don't significantly reduce overall pregnancy anxiety long-term.

A 2017 systematic review in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology (Bijma et al.) found that extra scans didn't improve maternal psychological wellbeing or bonding compared to standard care. The anxiety relief was short-lived, typically lasting only days.

More concerning, some women develop scan dependency. A qualitative study by Garcia et al. (2015) in Women and Birth found that frequent scanning can actually increase anxiety between appointments, creating a cycle where women feel they need more scans to feel secure.

What about the safety of frequent ultrasounds?

Here's where things get interesting. The medical establishment has long said diagnostic ultrasound is safe, but the evidence for frequent, non-medical scanning is thinner than you'd expect.

The FDA states that ultrasound can heat tissues and create small gas bubbles, though clinical significance remains unclear. More importantly, commercial scan providers often use higher intensity settings and longer exposure times than medical facilities.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists specifically advises against non-medical ultrasounds, stating that any exposure should have medical benefit. The International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology echoes this position.

What did she get wrong about accessing scans?

The creator makes it sound like circumventing medical referrals is a practical solution, but this misses important context about why doctors don't order scans on demand.

First, early pregnancy symptoms naturally fluctuate. A 2016 study in Human Reproduction (Koot et al.) found that 28% of women experienced decreased nausea between weeks 6-8, which is completely normal.

Second, if you're genuinely worried about pregnancy complications, a commercial scan facility isn't equipped to handle emergencies. They can't provide immediate medical intervention if something's wrong, potentially delaying appropriate care.

What should you actually know about pregnancy anxiety?

Pregnancy after loss anxiety affects up to 40% of women according to a 2020 meta-analysis in Midwifery (Meaney et al.). This anxiety is real and deserves proper treatment, not quick fixes.

Evidence-based approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness interventions. A randomized trial by Côté-Arsenault et al. (2014) found that structured support groups reduced anxiety more effectively than additional monitoring.

If you're struggling with pregnancy anxiety, talk to your healthcare provider about mental health support rather than seeking reassurance through extra scans. The temporary relief isn't worth the potential for developing scan dependency or missing opportunities for proper psychological care.