Frequent Questions About 3D/4D Ultrasound
The questions listed below
are the most frequently asked questions about our Elective Prenatal 3D
& 4D Ultrasound packages. Should you have any questions that are not
answered below, please call us at (707) 446-3D4D (3343) or
feel free to send us an email at alittleinsight@sbcglobal.net.
What is an elective prenatal ultrasound?
We offer elective 2D, 3D & 4D prenatal ultrasounds to
provide a proactive, positive bonding experience for the mother, father
and family members with the unborn baby. Realistic surface images
provide a connection between the parents and baby that can be beneficial
to the whole family. A medical, diagnostic ultrasound should have
already been performed to assess the gestational age of the fetus and to
evaluate for fetal anomalies, as well as the basic components of fetal
anatomy.
Does this take the place of an ultrasound at my doctor's office?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! Women seeking an elective prenatal
ultrasound with A Little Insight must already be receiving treatment
with a healthcare provider for prenatal care and have already undergone a
medical, diagnostic ultrasound ordered by their provider to confirm
their due date, screen for fetal anomalies, and to look for any other
pregnancy related issues. Your imaging session at A Little Insight is
strictly an elective ultrasound. We demonstrate and document only the
existence of a heart beat. Please note, at no time is this elective
experience to be confused with, or used in place of, a diagnostic
ultrasound.
Is it safe? Are there any risks to me, or my baby?
Extensive studies over 40 years have
found that ultrasound has not been shown to cause any maternal or fetal
harm. Routine diagnostic scanning of all pregnancies is now a normal
procedure. 3D/4D scans use EXACTLY the same type and intensity of
ultrasonic waves as in conventional 2D scan.
The combination of increased data gathering
(listening) by the transducer and software interpretation after data
acquisition creates these amazing 3D 4D images and not a higher
intensity, frequency or ‘power' output. Our guidelines dictate the
systems to be used in the Obstetric Application Mode. This mode is
capped by the manufacturer (GE) below the FDA limits (94 milliwatts/cm2)
for exposure. In fact, the system takes simultaneous 2D scans in
saggital, coronal and transverse planes and the software renders the 3D
4D images. It's that simple! We recommend that parents discuss with
their doctor about any safety concern on 3D 4D ultrasound.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes, appointments are necessary for all of our services.
How long does the 4D ultrasound take?
Depending on the package you choose, the 4D ultrasound
session will last between 15 and 30 minutes. However, plan on spending
an hour with us for the Platinum Experience so we can select and print
your favorite photos from the session.
How far along should I be before I have a 4D ultrasound?
If you plan on having only one 4D ultrasound session, we
would recommend having the ultrasound performed between the 26th and
34th week of the pregnancy. However, excellent images of your baby can
be obtained anytime after about 22 weeks of pregnancy. Many mothers
obtain more than one 4D ultrasound and have images to enjoy from their
second and third trimesters.
Will I always get a beautiful picture of my baby?
Usually, but not always. Sometimes if the baby is
persistently looking face down, i.e. towards your spine it may be
difficult to see the baby's face. We make no promises that the images
will be similar to those you might have seen elsewhere or even from our
clinic, or that we can always meet everyone's expectations. Every baby
scans differently, depending on its gestational age, position, amount of
fluid, and mother's condition. We promise to make every effort to
obtain the best possible images of whatever parts of the baby that can
be seen.
Can I bring my family and friends?
Yes. In fact, we encourage our clients to invite family
and friends to attend the elective 4D ultrasound session. This is a
joyous and wonderful experience, one that can be shared with your family
and loved ones.
Are you able to tell the sex of the baby?
Yes, in most cases we can provide an indication of the sex
of the baby. We can't however guarantee that the baby will cooperate
during your session. Certain factors such as body tissue content,
developmental stage and fetal position all affect the ability to
determine sex.
Is the 4D ultrasound covered by Insurance?
At this point, insurance does not cover the costs of our
ultrasounds. Since this is an elective procedure and is not intended to
be a replacement for your doctor ordered ultrasound, you will need to
pay the cost of this ultrasound as an out of pocket expense. We accept
cash, Mastercard, and Visa.
What can I do to improve the images of my ultrasound?
WATER, WATER, WATER!!! You should be drinking plenty of
water beginning at least 7 days before your scheduled appointment.
Water can improve the quality of an ultrasound. Moms that are
full-figured should consider scheduling their 3D/4D ultrasound between
31 and 35 weeks of pregnancy, as the ultrasound tends to be clearer
and the results are more comparable to those in our images
gallery.
What kind of ultrasound equipment do you use to perform the 3D/4D ultrasounds?
We use the state-of-the-art GE Voluson 730 Pro to complete
all ultrasound sessions. The GE Voluson 730 Pro has been seen in GE
television commercials and many printed articles from around the world.
This machine is the finest 2D, 3D and 4D ultrasound machine available
anywhere. Please note, many organizations claim to use
"state-of-the-art" equipment, when in fact they use older or inferior
technology.
How much does it cost?
We have packages to fit just about anyone's budget. Please refer to our Ultrasound Pricing page for more information on available packages.
Call (707) 446-3D4D (3343) today for your appointment or
to get driving directions to our facility.
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