How to Prepare for Your UC Baby Ultrasound Appointment

UC Baby Blog - How to Prepare for Appointment

How should you prepare for your UC Baby appointment? We want you to walk into your ultrasound appointment feeling relaxed, excited, and prepared to get the best possible images and videos of your little one. A bit of planning can go a long way in making your visit smooth and enjoyable — and in helping us capture those special pregnancy moments you’ll cherish forever.

Whether you’re in your first trimester or just weeks away from meeting your unborn baby, we’ve put together practical preparation tips tailored to your stage of pregnancy.

Why Preparation Matters

Every ultrasound is a unique experience. Baby’s size, position, and activity level — along with how your body is positioned — all influence how your images turn out. By following a few simple preparation guidelines, you can:

Improve the clarity of your ultrasound images
Encourage your baby to move into photogenic positions
Make your session more comfortable and stress-free

Preparation Guidelines by Pregnancy Stage

Gestational Age	Recommended UC Baby Packages	Preparation Tips
7–15 weeks	Fetal Age Assessment	A full bladder is essential for clear imaging. Avoid heavy meals, and for now, there’s no need for sweets since the baby is too small to show noticeable movement. However, staying hydrated is important.
12–15 weeks	Fetal Age Assessment, Sneak Peek	Arrive with a full bladder for clearer images; wear comfortable clothing; no need to eat sweets unless you want extra baby movement.
16–22 weeks	Gender Reveal Ultrasound, Bronze Package	A full bladder is still recommended; if you want baby movement, have a light snack or sweet drink 15–20 minutes before.
23–28 weeks	3D/4D/5D Silver Package	No full bladder is needed. For more movement, try eating fruit, sweets, or chocolate, or drinking juice before the session. Schedule the session when the baby is usually active.
29–34 weeks	3D/4D/5D Silver or Golden Package	No full bladder is needed; avoid heavy meals right before. Sweets can help the baby move into position for face shots.
35+ weeks	Silver or Trial Session (based on baby’s size & position)	No full bladder needed; baby may be in a fixed position — choose a time when they’re active; avoid caffeine overload as it may cause jittery movements.

Full Bladder — When and Why

During early pregnancy, especially before 20 weeks, having a full bladder helps lift your womb, creating a clearer pathway for ultrasound waves to pass through. This small change can greatly enhance the visibility of your baby’s body and movements.

If your appointment is scheduled before 20 weeks, try to drink about 500–750 mL of water one hour prior to your scan and avoid going to the washroom until after the ultrasound.

Eating or Drinking Sweets

Around mid-pregnancy and later, you might hear about eating a piece of chocolate or drinking a glass of orange juice before your session. The natural sugars can encourage your baby to move — perfect for capturing facial expressions or kicks.

Tip: Avoid overdoing it with caffeine, as it may cause jittery movements that make it harder to capture steady images.

Timing Your Appointment

Every baby has their own rhythm. If you notice certain times of day when your baby is especially active—often after meals—try to schedule your appointment during that window. More movement can lead to more variety in your images and videos.

Special Note for Twin Pregnancies

Expecting twins? Congratulations! For multiple pregnancies, we recommend:

Booking on the earlier side for 3D/4D/5D imaging (ideally 23–27 weeks) before babies get too crowded in the womb.
Allowing extra session time so we can focus on capturing both babies clearly.
Staying well-hydrated 1-2 days before your appointment to help with fluid clarity.

Clothing Tips

Wear a two-piece outfit so we can easily access your belly without you needing to fully change. Comfort is key — you’ll be more relaxed, and that helps the session go smoothly.

Bring Loved Ones Along

Whether in person or via UC Baby Connect Live Streaming, sharing your appointment with family and friends makes it even more memorable. All UC Baby locations can host guests in the room — and with our streaming option, you can invite loved ones from anywhere in the world.

Final Thoughts

Your UC Baby appointment is more than just a scan — it’s an emotional milestone in your pregnancy. With a little preparation, you’ll be giving us the best chance to capture those incredible, once-in-a-lifetime pregnancy moments.