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Baby Ultrasounds in 3D and 4D
Fetal ultrasounds have gone high tech. Gone are the
days of cheesy black and white printouts of an undistinguished
blob. Today’s fetal ultrasounds come in stunning
3D with amazing detail. Count all ten toes or compare
baby’s button nose to his dad’s. The new
4D ultrasound takes 3D to the next step showing clear,
full motion images of the baby long before birth.
This technology has spawned an industry that caters
to expectant parents. Some of the benefits touted include
better and earlier bonding with the baby. Companies
claim that stronger pre-birth bonds result in better
prenatal care and healthier babies.
The 3D images are rendered by sophisticated software
that compiles many 2D images together. The wow factor
is upped even more when the technician actually rotates
an image showing the baby from several different views.
Even more exciting is when the technician switches to
4D. The software works in the background to bring live
motion three dimensional images to the screen. This
addition of motion is considered the fourth dimension.
Expectant parents can watch their unborn child kick
or suck their thumb in full motion 3D as it happens.
Companies offer many different ultrasound packages
including color photos in varying sizes, gender determination,
video or DVD of the ultrasound set to music and announcement
cards. Some keepsake ultrasound companies even allow
additional guests to view the ultrasound in a separate
theatre or studio as it’s being performed.
For determining gender, an ultrasound can be done as
early as seventeen weeks. However, between twenty eight
and thirty two weeks is the optimal time to schedule
a 3D ultrasound. This is the time when the fetus begins
to look more baby like and before it moves downward
into the birth canal in preparation for birth. When
in this downright position, the face will likely be
blocked from view.
While diagnostic ultrasounds have been in use for over
thirty years and are generally considered safe during
pregnancy, the FDA does not endorse their use for entertainment
purposes. The FDA regulates the use of ultrasound and
sets the standard for energy levels used during fetal
ultrasounds. The FDA is concerned that commercial establishments
using ultrasounds for keepsake videos and images might
use the equipment at higher energy levels and for longer
durations than considered safe for the fetus. The FDA
considers the use of ultrasound equipment for keepsake
imagery as an unapproved use of a medical device. Those
using a diagnostic prescription device without a doctor’s
prescription could be in violation of local or state
laws regulating the use of prescription medical devices.
The fetal photography industry is well aware of the
FDA’s position on the use of ultrasounds for non-medical
uses and most companies address this issue with their
customers by answering their questions and having them
sign a waiver.
Using a commercial ultrasound company can cost anywhere
from $99 to well over $300 depending on the package
desired. These ultrasounds do not take the place of
the diagnostic ultrasound the OB/GYN performs in their
office between seventeen and twenty weeks and elective
ultrasounds are typically not covered by medical insurance.
For those considering splurging on a commercial 3D
or 4D ultrasound, the best expert to talk to is their
own OB/GYN. The OB/GYN can answer any questions about
ultrasound safety and may even have 3D abilities of
their own. In addition they might have a list of reputable
companies that meet their own high standards.
By Celeste Stewart
Where to give birth
Some of you may think that there is no question about
it, you are of course going to the hospital. This is
not as usual as it used to be since more and more women
want to give birth at home instead of going to the hospital.
The problem is that you may be a little worried of not
having the security of a medical staff around you in
case something goes wrong.
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