3D/4D Ultrasound
An Experience to Remember
Imagine seeing your baby yawn, smile, blink, or play with its nose months before you meet him or her! This is all possible with the latest in 3D/4D ultrasound technology.
Thanks to improving technology, those first baby pictures can now be taken in the womb. Parents can even get a DVD movie of what the child is doing inside mommy's belly. You may catch your baby yawning, smiling or waving. You can now answer the question, "Who does my baby look like?" While doctors still rely on 2 dimensional ultrasound pictures for diagnostic tests, many now offer patients a chance to get 3- dimensional pictures of their babies anywhere from 19 weeks to 28 weeks old.
How does 3D & 4D prenatal ultrasound or sonogram work?
An ultrasound is the interpretation of reflected sound waves to form a picture of the fetus. 2D ultrasound (sometimes referred to as "traditional" ultrasound) has been safely used in obstetrics for over 35 years.
2D ultrasound works by "listening" to sound waves in a single plain. The ultrasound is directed straight down and reflected back up again. Think of it as being able to virtually slice a loaf of bread. The resulting black and white image is similar to looking at the face of a slice of bread.
3D ultrasounds work by a different process known as "surface rendering". In this case, the same sound waves used in 2D are sent down – this time at different angles. These reflections are interpreted through sophisticated software, and a 3D image of the fetus is instantly created. Using the same "bread" analogy as before, the surface of the loaf is now being examined from the outside. Surface details can now be visualized with remarkable clarity.
4D ultrasound is captured in the same manner as 3D ultrasound. Instead of looking at a single still image (3D), you are now able to view live "video" of the fetus in the womb in 4D. 4D is adding "time", thus adding another dimension.
What are the concerns surrounding 3D & 4D ultrasound?
Many 3D/4D ultrasound centers have recently opened, providing affordable elective ultrasounds to expectant families. This has drawn criticism from several organizations. But if the equipment is regulated, and the practice of ultrasound for prenatal care has a good safety record, where's the problem?
Some doctors are concerned that their patients will opt to get too many unnecessary ultrasounds. But if the argument of ultrasound safety was simply based on overall exposure, then a good follow-up question would be: "If increased ultrasound exposure is a cause for concern, then why do higher-risk pregnancies typically receive so many?"
Other doctors are understandably concerned that mothers will use these elective ultrasounds in lieu of an ultrasound prescribed by their physicians. They are also concerned that a technician may try to present diagnostic information that should only be interpreted by a board-certified physician.
An elective ultrasound should only be used to complement the ultrasound sessions prescribed by a physician. A full anatomical study should always be completed first to identify any potential prenatal issues. The parents-to-be can then utilize the elective session as an insightful, bonding experience.
What are the positive impacts of bonding using 3D & 4D ultrasound?
Expectant mothers nationwide are seeking elective ultrasounds because they feel it will have a positive impact during their pregnancy. Recent studies have shown that viewing an ultrasound can cause marked improvement in maternal health habits. Studies presented at an American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) meeting have even supported that 3D ultrasounds will positively influence parents' bond with their babies. Mothers tend to improve their diets, exercise more, and eliminate harmful behaviors such as smoking or drinking. Other ultrasound benefits may also include increased paternal involvement, family support, empathy, and appreciation.
The bond with the baby extends beyond mother and child. With a realistic view, video and image capture, the experience can be shared with other loved ones. Many 3D/4D facilities are set up to include family and friends in the experience, with ample seating for guests and large projection Television screens so that everyone has a great view of the baby. Some 3D/4D facilities even offer Internet streaming of a session so that family and friends from across the globe can watch the session in real time from anywhere in the world. It simply requires access to a high speed Internet connection. A husband serving in Iraq, for example, can log on and watch his baby in the womb and even hear his wife's voice during the session. Is it a boy or a girl? With Internet streaming of the session they can find out together despite the distance between them.
How do I find a responsible 3D & 4D ultrasound provider?
Although there are plenty of entertaining aspects to a 3D/4D ultrasound, safety and professionalism should always remain paramount when choosing a provider. A responsible ultrasound provider will require proof that the client is seeing a health care provider for prenatal care. Proof should also be required that the mother-to-be has already completed a full-anatomical, second-trimester ultrasound study.
The provider should use the system's obstetric mode to keep within FDA-established levels for frequency and power for prenatal use. They should also limit the actual scan time to less than 30 minutes per session. A session must be immediately suspended if anything adverse is discovered, and all findings should be directly reported to the mother's health care provider.
Remember that word-of-mouth is usually the best method of referral amongst expectant mothers. Many sonographers and technicians tend to forget that this is a special moment during a mother's pregnancy. So do your homework, and ask around. The best ultrasound experience will be the culmination of the nicest facility, the best equipment, and a professional, caring staff.