What to Wear to Your Pregnancy Scan: Complete Guide
What you wear to your scan can make the appointment a lot more comfortable, especially since you'll need easy access to your belly and possibly your lower half too. It's a small thing to plan, but getting it right means less faffing about with gowns and zips and more time actually looking at the screen.
The Basics: Two Pieces, Not One
For a standard abdominal ultrasound, the sonographer needs to apply gel directly to your bare belly and move a probe across it, so your clothing needs to expose that area easily.
- Wear separates — a top and trousers, skirt, or leggings — rather than a dress or jumpsuit. One-piece outfits mean undressing much further than necessary.
- Choose a top that pulls up easily rather than one you'd need to pull over your head while lying down, such as a loose t-shirt or jumper.
- Bottoms with a soft, low or adjustable waistband (leggings, joggers, maternity jeans) are easier to fold down than jeans with a stiff button fly.
- Avoid tights or all-in-one shapewear, which are awkward to manage on the scan table.
Practical Extras Worth Bringing
- A cardigan or light jumper — scanning rooms are often kept cool, and you may be lying still for 20-30 minutes.
- Comfortable, easy-to-remove shoes, particularly if you also need a urine sample or blood test at the same appointment.
- Wet wipes or tissues for afterwards — the ultrasound gel is water-based but can feel sticky until you clean it off, and rooms don't always have them to hand.
- Your maternity notes or red book, as most departments will want to check or update these at the appointment.
If You're Having a Transvaginal Scan
Very early scans (often before around 7-8 weeks) sometimes use a transvaginal (internal) probe for a clearer picture, particularly if the pregnancy is too early to see well from the outside. If this applies to you:
- You'll be asked to remove your underwear and anything below the waist, so clothing that's simple to step out of is helpful.
- You'll usually be given a paper sheet or gown to cover yourself before and after.
- The sonographer or a chaperone will explain what to expect and give you privacy to undress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to my pregnancy scan?
Wear loose, comfortable two-piece clothing — a top and separate bottoms rather than a dress or jumpsuit — since your belly needs to be exposed for the gel and probe. Choose a top you can pull up rather than over your head, and bottoms with a soft or adjustable waistband. Bring a cardigan too, as scanning rooms are often cool.
Do I need to undress for a pregnancy scan?
For a standard abdominal scan, you only need to expose your belly — your top gets pulled up and your bottoms folded down slightly, but you don't need to fully undress. For an early transvaginal (internal) scan, you will need to remove clothing from the waist down, and you'll be given privacy and a paper sheet or gown to use.
Can I wear jewellery or a belly button ring to my scan?
Most jewellery is fine to keep on, but if you have a belly button piercing, it's worth removing the jewellery beforehand if you can, as it can occasionally get in the way of the probe near your lower abdomen. If you're unsure, you can always ask the sonographer when you arrive.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
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