Pregnant Woman’s Laughter Sparks Fascination in Viral Ultrasound Video
A pregnant woman from Idaho, Destinie Ross, has captured widespread attention on social media after sharing a video that reveals the effects of laughter on an unborn baby during an ultrasound. The clip, which has garnered over 18 million views on TikTok, shows her baby bouncing inside her womb as she laughs.
Ross posted the video with a caption stating, “Just in case you weren’t aware, this is what happens to your baby when you laugh… I learned this the hard way.” In an interview with Newsweek, she explained that she was feeling anxious during her ultrasound at 11 weeks of pregnancy. “Not seeing your baby in a couple of weeks can always be a little nerve-racking,” she said.
During the ultrasound, the sonographer noted that the baby appeared to have hiccups, prompting Ross to laugh. “While it looks super violent in the video, babies actually love it when you laugh,” she clarified. The release of serotonin during laughter is believed to calm the baby, despite the visible jostling. “They have so much padding and fluid in there that they are totally fine,” Ross reassured viewers.
The humorous nature of the situation made Ross laugh even harder upon seeing the screen. “I had never seen that before and it was actually the funniest thing I’d ever seen,” she recounted. The sonographer’s lighthearted remark, calling the movement an “EARTHQUAKE,” contributed to the overall amusement and eased any lingering concerns Ross had about the baby’s well-being.
As the video went viral, it sparked curiosity among viewers, many of whom took to the comments section to express their thoughts. “Omg, does it hurt them?!” one user questioned. Another commented, “This made me laugh then I realized the same thing was happening to my baby and then I laughed more HELP.” A third user jokingly asked, “Omg I had twins, so does that mean they were just bouncing off each other?”
Jenna Hopkins, a registered diagnostic medical sonographer, provided insights into the phenomenon. In an interview with Newsweek, she explained that laughter creates movements that rock the baby in the womb. “We believe the baby can feel the vibrations when mom laughs,” Hopkins noted. She compared the reaction of the baby to the gentle shakes of the ultrasound probe, which are sometimes used to encourage the baby to shift into a better position for imaging.
Ross expressed her surprise at the overwhelming support she received following the video’s release. “I never expected it to go viral the way it did,” she remarked. The positive feedback and shared experiences from viewers have made the experience even more rewarding. “I’ve even gotten some support from some celebrities and big brands, which is the craziest thing to me.”
The lighthearted interaction between Ross and her unborn baby has not only entertained millions but also highlighted a unique aspect of prenatal development. Laughter, it seems, is not just a reaction; it can create connections and spark joy even before birth.
