Need some honest opinions! Is the 3D/4D ultrasound worth the money??

dunvilles · November 2009

Okay, so, the place here that does the 3D/4D ultrasounds just raised their prices from $90 to $150 for a 20 min ultrasound w/DVD & as many pictures as you want. I REALLY want to see my little guy again, haven't had an ultrasound since 19 weeks. Is it worth $150 though to have this done? Things are tight the way they are with the holiday's coming up and saving for a 12 week unpaid maternity leave...

What is your opinion?

MrsBatty · November 2009

How far along are you? If you are under 30 weeks I'd say do it! If you are over 30 weeks I'd say pass ...

BrittKav · November 2009

If I hadn't gone in for an elective 3D u/s, I never would have known that my amniotic fluid level was low. So, it was worth it for me, even though I never got any pictures!

MelD16 · November 2009

Mine was $80 for a 30 min session, DVD and CD of pics with some printed out. If it was $150, I wouldn't have done it. But it is a great experience.

chrystaleigh · November 2009

I thought it was totally worth it!

kle+spd · November 2009

Personally I don't think so! We did it and we couldn't see much! They offered for us to come back for free, which we took them up on! She was still covering her face a lot! I probably won't do it again!

jhernanjm00 · November 2009

I say find a Radiology school in your area and ask if they need any volunteers for there sonography program.

Most schools are always looking for volunteers so their students can practice on.

I was able to go twice, for two hours each time, and in return they gave me TONS of ultrasound pics... 2D & 3D and they also gave me a video of LO sucking his thumb!

All totally worth it to me!

etude de la vie · November 2009

I went at exactly 30 weeks which the tech said was perfect timing. I thought it was worth it (paid $150) because I could take all the family. DH's family and my family really wanted to go to my regular ultrasound appointments but couldn't because the ultrasound room at my Dr. was very small and we were only allowed to bring one person. The place I went to for the 3D/4D had a huge screen with a couch and we were allowed to bring as many people as we wanted.

Also my LO was in perfect position so I got awesome pictures and DVD. It really was an exciting experience and she did look exactly like the photos!

One suggestion: I went to a place that had a trained ultrasound tech. The tech is the alternate at my doctors office when the regular person goes on vacation. Most 3D/4D places hire people who have little or no training and if there is something wrong, like low amniotic fluid, they are not educated in ultrasounds enough to tell you or call your doctor.

dunvilles · November 2009

MrsBatty:
How far along are you? If you are under 30 weeks I'd say do it! If you are over 30 weeks I'd say pass ...

I am 32 weeks. The lady said she recommends doing them between 30-34 weeks... ?!

MelD16 · November 2009

dunvilles:

MrsBatty:
How far along are you? If you are under 30 weeks I'd say do it! If you are over 30 weeks I'd say pass ...

I am 32 weeks. The lady said she recommends doing them between 30-34 weeks... ?!

I did mine at 32 weeks

pregnantchica · November 2009

etude de la vie:
I went at exactly 30 weeks which the tech said was perfect timing. I thought it was worth it (paid $150) because I could take all the family. DH's family and my family really wanted to go to my regular ultrasound appointments but couldn't because the ultrasound room at my Dr. was very small and we were only allowed to bring one person. The place I went to for the 3D/4D had a huge screen with a couch and we were allowed to bring as many people as we wanted.
Also my LO was in perfect position so I got awesome pictures and DVD. It really was an exciting experience and she did look exactly like the photos!
One suggestion: I went to a place that had a trained ultrasound tech. The tech is the alternate at my doctors office when the regular person goes on vacation. Most 3D/4D places hire people who have little or no training and if there is something wrong, like low amniotic fluid, they are not educated in ultrasounds enough to tell you or call your doctor.

This.

But since you are 32 weeks, I wouldn't do it! I had an u/s at 32 weeks and the baby was so big that I didn't get the same pics as 28 weeks (although I still loved the pics). Now my dd was born at 37 wks at 7lbs, so she wasn't huge at 32 wks. The problem is that the baby really starts taking up room in your stomach, so the pics aren't the same. I say that pics are better between 26-30 weeks.

You will probably have one more u/s before you give birth. Ask you doctor.