4d ultrasound?

JmeJoLee83 · February 2014

Who's getting one and when will you go? Family tells me between 28-30 weeks is the best time for great face shots. Doctor told me she can't recommend getting one (no evidence on safety). Thoughts, feelings..is it worth it??

JmeJoLee83 · February 2014

@ugabamafans that is awesome your doctor did it! Mine doesn't offer it and said we won't have another ultrasound either at this point. I can't imagine waiting until June to see my little guy again!

ElTrain5 · February 2014

When I had my NT scan and A/S done they flipped on the 3d/4d for a little while to take a look, you could make out LO's face pretty decently at 21 weeks, so I'd say anytime after that and before things start getting cramped at around 30+ weeks should be good. I wouldn't worry about the safety part. There's no good evidence that ultrasounds pose any risk to unborn fetuses, and in many countries women are given routine ultrasounds at every visit and have no ill effects. Your doctor is just trying to cover their ass.

ElTrain5 · February 2014

krptcmschfmkr128 said:

I don't get the difference between the 4D and 3D ultrasounds... I get the 4D are supposed to be more "in real time" but the 3D didn't seem much different when I had it. Even the 2D seem pretty active and move appropriately (no lag). You just don't get the 3D image.

When I had it done the tech said that the difference was with the 3d she had to use still images and adjust the image a lot to get it to look right, with 4d it just showed the image in motion with no adjustments.

MrsCase1 · February 2014

My tech has a Phd or something crazy like that in whatever field it is they study and she said that on their governing body's website it specifically states that they can't promote them. She told me the reason, but since we weren't considering getting one, I didn't commit the reason to memory. I think it had something to do with exposing the fetus to too much of something or another. Sorry, not helpful. Google would probably fill in the holes better than I can.

JmeJoLee83 · February 2014

krptcmschfmkr128 said:

ElTrain5 said:

krptcmschfmkr128 said:

I don't get the difference between the 4D and 3D ultrasounds... I get the 4D are supposed to be more "in real time" but the 3D didn't seem much different when I had it. Even the 2D seem pretty active and move appropriately (no lag). You just don't get the 3D image.
When I had it done the tech said that the difference was with the 3d she had to use still images and adjust the image a lot to get it to look right, with 4d it just showed the image in motion with no adjustments.

Really? With DD, I often had 3D images with her and they showed up great. She never did much adjusting. I wonder if it's the quality of the machine? I was at Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

DD example -

ETA: I guess my concern is, how much extra are they going to charge you for 4D for something that might be just as clear as the 3D? (It sounds like these will be elective ultrasounds?)

The place we are looking will charge $118 for a package of color pics, cd of all images, black and white pics, a DVD of heartbeat and "movement" (15-20 minutes), and an "exam" of fluid, cervix, etc (not sure how I feel about this part since I won't be at my doctors office).

Beautiful pictures of dd by the way!!

mayjaybird · February 2014

I had a 4d ultrasound (totally unplanned, it's how all a/s are done at my doctor's office) at 19.5 weeks and I loved the pictures we got to take home. I'm sure at the time frame you're looking at LO will look adorable! Below is my favorite, unfortunately she covered half of her face for most of our a/s.

ElTrain5 · February 2014

MrsCase1 said:

My tech has a Phd or something crazy like that in whatever field it is they study and she said that on their governing body's website it specifically states that they can't promote them. She told me the reason, but since we weren't considering getting one, I didn't commit the reason to memory. I think it had something to do with exposing the fetus to too much of something or another. Sorry, not helpful. Google would probably fill in the holes better than I can.

Still, saying you "can't promote" something is a lot different than saying something causes harm. I just have a problem with a doctor (like OP's) saying something vaguely scary like "I can't tell you it's ok to get one" and just leaving it hanging there with absolutely no reasoning or evidence or even an explanation. In my opinion that's just as good as saying "Yeah you should probably be scared, but I won't tell you how scared, or why....just..ya know....stuff..."

curlylocks3 · February 2014

I noticed that you don't have in your sig if you're having a boy or girl- do you know? If you're Team Green, I'd recommend not doing the 3d/4d scan- the tech at our office randomly switched to that mode at my 16 week scan and I was really disappointed because I'm now fairly certain I know the sex of one of the babies.
Personally, not a fan of the 3d/4d pictures and don't see the point unless medically indicated. I've seen a lot of them and I think most babies don't look that different and just find the 2d pictures to be cuter. If you're wondering on timing, I'd guess whichever boutique you're looking into will have some recommendations on timing and I'd probably go with whatever they say.

JmeJoLee83 · February 2014

We are having a boy!

ElTrain5 · February 2014

@jmejolee83 Yay!!! Congrats! Welcome to Team Blue!

JmeJoLee83 · February 2014

ElTrain5 said:
@jmejolee83 Yay!!! Congrats! Welcome to Team Blue!

Thanks @ElTrain5! We are excited..think I updated my sig now @curlylocks3 thanks for reminding me!

LegalLadyBug · February 2014

Here is a 3d we had with DD at 27w. I really liked having the photos. My OB does 3d at every appt and so far most of them have been pretty scary looking haha. My OB with DD didn't do them at all so we went to an elective place. I'll also attach a shot if baby b at 24w. Personally I think DDs face was pretty clear in the 27w pics. I wouldn't go past 30 though as things can get pretty squished and you may not get a clear face shot.

MSUMands · February 2014

My OB advised against getting one but didn't give a reason. I never really thought about it anyway, I like the wondering of who the baby is going to look like :-)

But wow - the pictures you guys have in 3D and 4D are really amazing! If nothing else, the scientific aspect is really awesome. To think that when my grandmas were pregnant with my mom and dad, neither of them were even given ultrasounds at all. We've come a long way!

roundthree24 · February 2014

Not trying to add to unnecessary fears since there isn't clear evidence that they're harmful, but one of the specialists I spoke with (he was the doc who would have been doing our NT scan if we had done it) also says they should be avoided. We weren't planning on doing one anyway though.

kd&cd · February 2014

I'm going on Thursday (22w3d) just to find out the sex...this will be our 4th try!! FX baby actually co-operates!

QSerMama · February 2014

I'll be getting one at 27 weeks. The place I am going to recommends between 26-30.. though sometimes 30 may be a little too late, as they grow quickly. I can't wait to see his squishy little face

Taymiller · February 2014

I worked at an OB up in Alaska and they did the 3D when I went up to visit at 18 weeks. My husband is a doc and he said the 3D/4D ultrasounds are just fine.

Also I love the 3D because all my 2D look like alien babies and this one actually looks like a human baby

misscarter87 · February 2014

I will be taking 4d ultrasound pics at 28 weeks

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