Let’s be honest: pregnancy announcements are usually sweet, touching moments that make everyone cry happy tears. But sometimes? Sometimes you just want to see the look on your best friend’s face when you show them an ultrasound of “your” baby… that’s actually a puppy.
We’ve been in the fake ultrasound business for over a decade, and we’ve heard some absolutely legendary prank stories. Here’s how to pull off an ultrasound prank that’s memorable, hilarious, and doesn’t involve spending hours on Photoshop (spoiler: you don’t need to).
Why Ultrasound Pranks Work So Well
The beauty of an ultrasound prank is in the timing. That split second before someone realizes what they’re looking at? Pure gold. Unlike other pranks that require elaborate setups or perfect timing, ultrasound pranks are simple: you show someone an image, they react, and then everyone laughs.
The key is realism. A poorly photoshopped image gets spotted immediately and kills the joke. That’s why most successful ultrasound pranks use professionally created fake ultrasounds that look identical to the real thing – complete with proper medical imaging labels, realistic measurements, and that characteristic grainy quality.
Choosing Your Ultrasound Prank Theme
The key to a successful prank is the theme. It should be outrageous enough to eventually elicit laughs, yet plausible enough at first glance to cause a double take. Here are a few imaginative themes to consider:
The Classic Surprise Pregnancy Announcement
This is the most popular prank for a reason. Whether you’re a guy showing your buddies you’re “pregnant,” a woman surprising her partner with unexpected news, or teenagers pranking their parents, the fake pregnancy announcement creates unforgettable reactions.
How to pull it off: Make it easy on yourself. Get a realistic fake ultrasound with your name on it (or your partner’s), pick a believable date, and present it seriously. The more straight-faced you stay, the better. We’ve had customers frame theirs, slip them into birthday cards, or casually leave them on the coffee table.
Pro tip: If you’re pranking parents or in-laws, maybe plan an “I’m just kidding” reveal within a few minutes. Some moms-to-be-not have reported their future mother-in-law already shopping for baby furniture within the hour.
The “We’re Having Twins… No Wait, Triplets”
Already pregnant and want to prank your partner or family? The multiple babies twist is perfect. Watch their face cycle through shock, panic, and then relief when you show them the real, singleton ultrasound.
One of our customers ordered a fake triplet ultrasound to prank her husband on April Fool’s Day while she was actually pregnant with one baby. According to her follow-up email, he “went completely silent, then started Googling how much triple strollers cost” before she revealed the joke.
DIY Tips:
- Obtain an ultrasound image (there are many editable images available online).
- Use free photo editing software like Photopea to duplicate the fetus image, subtly adjusting each to look slightly unique.
- Present the image during a casual get-together or family event and watch as the room reacts with surprise and then laughter.
If you’d rather not go through the trouble of learning how to become a professional graphic designer, just pop on over to our shop and search our extensive offerings of twins and triplets ultrasounds. Easy!
The Alien Baby
This one’s for the sci-fi fans and the friends with a great sense of humor. An ultrasound showing an alien instead of a baby hits different – it’s so absurd that people aren’t quite sure how to react at first, which makes the eventual laughter even better.
Best used: Among close friends who appreciate weird humor, at themed parties, or with that friend who’s really into X-Files or Ancient Aliens.
DIY Tips:
- Modify an ultrasound image to include a classic alien silhouette in place of a baby.
- Add playful elements like a spaceship or other sci-fi motifs to enhance the theme.
- Share the image in a themed reveal, perhaps during a sci-fi movie night or a costume party to keep the context humorous and light.
If you’d prefer an easier option, just reach out to us and we can create a custom ultrasound design for you!
The Puppy or Kitten Announcement
“We’re not having a baby – we’re adopting a puppy!” This works especially well if you’re actually planning to get a pet, or if your friends have been pestering you about when you’re having kids. It flips the script perfectly.
We’ve had dog-obsessed customers use this to announce they’re actually adopting a rescue dog, turning it from a prank into a real (and adorable) announcement.
DIY Tips:
- Replace the baby in an ultrasound image with a puppy using photo editing tools.
- Choose a gathering where pet lovers abound, enhancing the appreciation and enjoyment of the prank.
- Ensure the image retains elements of believability at first glance, but upon closer inspection, the playful joke comes to light.
As before, you’d prefer to not have to roll up your sleeves and design your own fake ultrasound, just reach out to us and we can create a custom ultrasound design for you!
Crafting Your Prank Ultrasound
The success of your prank largely depends on the quality of the image and the setup. Here are detailed steps to ensure your prank goes off without a hitch:
Step by Step Guide:
- Select the Right Image: Choose a high-quality ultrasound image that offers clarity and space for easy editing.
- Edit with Care: Use photo editing software to integrate your chosen theme into the image. This could be as simple as overlaying an image or as detailed as using tools to morph and merge images for a seamless look.
- Print Quality Matters: Print the image on glossy paper to mimic the typical finish of a real ultrasound printout. This adds to the authenticity and initial impact of the prank.
- Plan the Reveal: The context in which you reveal the ultrasound image can make or break the prank. Think about the setting and the mood of your audience to maximize the effect.
How to Make Your Prank Look Legitimate
Here’s where most DIY attempts fall apart. Real ultrasounds have specific characteristics:
- Medical facility headers with actual-looking clinic names and information
- Patient information that matches the supposed “pregnant person”
- Proper dating that aligns with a believable story
- Technical details like measurements, gestational age, and medical terminology
- The right paper quality – glossy, medical-grade thermal paper
Trying to fake all this in Photoshop is time-consuming and usually looks… off. Something about the font, the spacing, or the image quality gives it away. Professional fake ultrasounds are designed to match real medical imaging exactly – because they’re made by people who know what real ones look like. If you want to pull a true-to-life prank that blows people away, we’d be happy to help. Check out our designs, from digital options that delivery instantly, to printed options on real medical thermal paper, all the way to prank ultrasound videos that are perfect for social media.
The Prank Setup: Timing and Delivery
Choose Your Moment
The best ultrasound pranks happen during casual moments when people’s guard is down. Family dinners, hanging out with friends, or casual video calls all work great. Big formal gatherings can work too, but make sure you’re okay with being the center of attention.
Stay Committed to the Bit
The number one rule? Don’t crack. The longer you maintain your serious face, the better the payoff. We’ve heard stories of customers keeping the prank going for minutes before revealing the truth, letting family members’ reactions build and build.
Know Your Audience
This should go without saying, but: only prank people who will find it funny. Your super traditional grandmother who’s desperately waiting for great-grandchildren? Maybe skip her. Your best friend who loves ridiculous jokes? Perfect target.
Have an Exit Strategy
Always reveal the prank relatively quickly – within a few minutes to maybe an hour at most. You want laughter, not actual logistical planning for a nonexistent baby.
Debrief After the Laugh
Once the laughter dies down, share the story behind the prank. This can be a great way to connect and share a few more laughs about everyone’s reactions.
Pulling off an ultrasound prank requires creativity, a bit of technical skill, and a good understanding of your audience. Whether you opt for surprise twins, a puppy, or even a playful alien, the key is to keep the prank light-hearted and fun. Always reveal the joke shortly after the initial surprise to keep everything in the spirit of good fun. Done right, this prank can be a talking point for years to come, bringing smiles just at the memory of that surprising ultrasound reveal.
This information is presented as a general guide to hilarious ultrasound pranks to pull on your friends. It is for informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended to be the only information available about hilarious ultrasound pranks to pull on your friends. The material provided is not expected to be a substitute for advice or information from your physician or health care provider.
If you have any questions, concerns, fears, apprehensions, unease, or worry about hilarious ultrasound pranks to pull on your friends contact your health care provider immediately.
