**Mum-to-be Claims Late Nan’s Face Appeared in Baby Scan, Offers Message of Comfort**
A mother-to-be from Manchester has shared the remarkable moment she spotted the face of her late grandmother in an ultrasound scan of her first child. Ruth Ratcliff, a 26-year-old carer, recounted experiencing a mixture of shock and comfort when a family member drew her attention to an unusual pattern in the image, which she believes closely resembled her beloved nan.
Ruth was only four years old when her grandmother, Janet Duke, tragically passed away from sepsis in 2002 at the age of 41. The strong bond Ruth felt towards Janet has carried through the years, and it wasn’t until she reached 20 weeks into her first pregnancy that she encountered what she believes is a message from beyond.
The incident took place following a routine scan at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on 27 August 2015. At first, Ruth did not see anything out of the ordinary in the ultrasound picture. However, days later, a family member noticed what appeared to be a clear, face-like outline on the left side of the black-and-white image. According to Ruth, the face inside the baby’s head looked uncannily like Janet, complete with her signature hairstyle and features.
Opening up for the first time about her experience, Ruth explained how the revelation left her and her family astonished. “At first I thought nothing of it, but when my relative showed me the face, I was just blown away,” Ruth told reporters. “You could see her hair, her eyes, her teeth—it seemed so obvious. It felt as though she was saying to me, ‘I’m here.’”
Ruth’s daughter, Eve Quinn, who is now nine, is the first great-grandchild in the family. Ruth remarked on the similarities between Eve and her late grandmother, noting both inherited a strong-willed, outspoken nature. In an intriguing coincidence, Ruth pointed out that Eve has naturally ginger hair—a trait her grandmother was known for, yet neither Ruth nor Eve’s father share the hair colour. “She [Janet] used to dye her hair ginger all the time and my daughter’s ginger. But I’m not ginger, and nor is her dad,” she added.
Since the discovery, Ruth has tried to find further meaning in what she experienced, frequently attending psychic medium sessions in hopes of receiving more direct messages from her nan. “For me, seeing her in the scan was a sign of comfort,” Ruth reflected. “The mediums always seem to mention her, pointing out the big, curly red hair. They tell me she’s with me, and I believe it.”
Family and friends were equally stunned when Ruth shared the scan photograph. “We showed the rest of the family and they were like, ‘Oh my days!’ We were all gobsmacked. It’s almost as if she met Eve before we did,” Ruth mused, highlighting how the supposed presence added a sense of reassurance during the emotionally charged time of pregnancy.
Incidents like Ruth’s highlight the complex nature of grief and remembrance, illustrating how profound family bonds can continue to shape people’s lives in unexpected ways. Experts say it’s not uncommon for individuals processing loss to find meaning and comfort in signs, dreams, or, as in Ruth’s case, ultrasound images.
Whether readers view Ruth’s experience as a supernatural occurrence or a pattern noticed through the emotions of expectancy and memory, her story has clearly brought solace to her family. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of familial connection—and to the memories that shape who we are, even after loved ones are gone.
As Ruth awaits further messages or meaningful signs from her late nan, her story continues to inspire others navigating the journey of loss, showing how treasured memories can provide hope and comfort during some of life’s most significant milestones.