3D, 4D & 5D Ultrasound in BABY SONOSHOW

Definitions

• 3D Ultrasound shows the baby's face and body in the womb (still images, i.e., photos).
• 4D technology adds movement, so that you can see the baby's actions (i.e., videos).
• 5D technology takes it up a notch with high-definition (HD) images and top-notch quality.

More information

• Ultrasound uses sound waves with frequencies much higher than what we can hear.
• It has been used for diagnostic purposes since the mid-1950s and is a safe way to evaluate pregnancy.
• The standard 2D ultrasound produces flat, gray images needing expert interpretation. Baby's sex can be determined around 12 to 13 weeks.
• 3D/4D/5D ultrasound by experts is as safe as a 2D ultrasound and does not expose the baby to higher risks (e.g., heat) than a 2D ultrasound.

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General Information

Ultrasound has been used for medical diagnostic purposes since the mid-1950s. Technically, ultrasound is the same as sound waves, but the frequency of its waves is much higher than the audible sound. A transducer probe transmits high-frequency sound waves through the abdominal wall and the uterus to the fetus. Then the waves bounce off the baby and return to the ultrasound machine. Finally, the machine converts the bounced waves to 2- Dimensional (2D) or 3D images (3-Dimensional) that are much more realistic. This allows us to use 3D ultrasound to see our babies inside the womb.

Ultrasound Safety

Long-term studies have shown that ultrasound, in general, is a safe modality for the diagnosis of many diseases without any adverse effects. This is true about 2D ultrasound, 3D, and 4D ultrasound. In expert hands, 3D 4D ultrasound does not expose the baby to more high-energy sound waves compared to 2D ultrasound. In other words, the amount of energy that is used for 2D, 3D, and 4D ultrasound is the same.

2D ultrasound

In Obstetrics, 2D ultrasound is the standard method for evaluation and diagnosis of pregnancy conditions, but it just creates flat, gray images. Typically, a 2D ultrasound is a well-known tool for the evaluation of the growth and development of the fetus in the uterus. It is also a helpful mode to diagnose pregnancy abnormalities such as pregnancy in abnormal places (i.e., ectopic) and placental separation (i.e., abruption). Usually, performing a 2D ultrasound for medical purposes requires a doctor's requisition and is covered by health insurance.

Around 6-6.5 weeks of pregnancy, the baby’s heartbeat can be seen by abdominal ultrasound, but the bladder should be full enough; otherwise, the precision of the images will be less.

Role of Full Bladder

We need a full bladder to see the baby, either by 2D, 3D, or 4D ultrasound up to 10-12 weeks of pregnancy,y to remove the bowel loops from the ultrasound waves and give us a better image of the fetus. Later on, the baby will be big enough to be seen through an abdominal ultrasound with an empty bladder. 

The Difference Between Old and New Ultrasound Machines

The old ultrasound machines give us yellow images of the baby’s face and body, but recently, the newly marketed ultrasound machines provide us with skin color images. They are called HD photos, a realistic view, or a 5D ultrasound.

The Best Time to do a 3D Ultrasound

Many of our clients ask this question. Our response is, “What is your purpose for doing a 3D ultrasound?” If you want to see the baby’s movements and growth, you can do it any time after 12 weeks of pregnancy. Some people want to come around 17-18 weeks of pregnancy to see a more developed face. In case you would like to see a chubby baby and face, wait till after 25-26 weeks of pregnancy. As the pregnancy progresses, more fat will accumulate on the face, and the face will get more beautiful.