Will you be doing a 3D/4D ultrasound?

wtfisup · March 2014

I'm genuinely just curious how many folks are doing this. We're not passionate about it, but might do it in a few weeks just because we'll have a lot of family in town and it would be fun.

wtfisup · March 2014

We do have a discount, so we could do them for $120 or something.

tbmadeamistake · March 2014

Finances are super tight and I honestly think they look kind of weird. I love seeing my Charlie, but I'll be waiting until he comes out for any 3D

curlylocks3 · March 2014

SS: I voted no, although I've technically had one. The tech at my OB's office randomly switched to 3d mode during our 16 week scan, so we have a picture from that. I don't particularly care for 3d pics and I am not willing to pay for an elective scan, so unless someone randomly does it during one of my growth scans we won't be having another one.

wtfisup · March 2014

SS: I voted no, although I've technically had one. The tech at my OB's office randomly switched to 3d mode during our 16 week scan, so we have a picture from that. I don't particularly care for 3d pics and I am not willing to pay for an elective scan, so unless someone randomly does it during one of my growth scans we won't be having another one.

Growth scans? You mean beyond the anatomy scan?

Mztwilson · March 2014

I don't live by any of those places that offer elective scans. The closest place is 4 hours away. However because my dh was born with a heart tumor I do get to have another ultrasound in 2 weeks

I'm not to worried as baby's heart looked great at the 20 week scan. It's more of a precaution

jacksoha · March 2014

Our OB does a growth scan at 30 weeks, which will be 3D. I was pleasantly surprised when I heard this because I thought the a/a was our last ultrasound until she is born. But I would not have sought out a 3d scan if they weren't offering one.

kd&cd · March 2014

We only did it because our LO wouldn't show us the sex at the 3 previous ultrasounds. After doing it I would go boer and over again. It was amazing!

temursgirl · March 2014

They kind of scare me, so unless the doctor says I need one, I'm okay with 2-D.

jshrop · March 2014

We are doing one when my MIL comes to visit in two weeks. I probably wouldn't have done it otherwise (even though I'm anxious to see her little face again!)

curlylocks3 · March 2014

wtfisup said:

SS: I voted no, although I've technically had one. The tech at my OB's office randomly switched to 3d mode during our 16 week scan, so we have a picture from that. I don't particularly care for 3d pics and I am not willing to pay for an elective scan, so unless someone randomly does it during one of my growth scans we won't be having another one.
Growth scans? You mean beyond the anatomy scan?

Yes- I will be having scans every four weeks until delivery to make sure both babies are growing equally and appropriately. They'll be done at the MFM office- its just a standard thing with twins.
I don't know if I'd feel differently about getting an elective scan if I hadn't already had 8 ultrasounds and have 4 more scheduled, but I don't think I would- at least not a 3d one.

MollySm · March 2014

I also had one randomly at my A/S because the doctor decided to switch over, but I wouldn't pay to have one done.

lest12 · March 2014

No. My OB does a 30-week scan anyway, but DH is really freaked out by the 3-d for whatever reason, so we probably wouldn't have gotten one.

chickpea912 · March 2014

Similar boat as @curlylocks3, minus the extra baby. I have regular growth (and later, biophysical) ultrasounds at MFM, and depending on the tech, they usually switch over to 3D at some point to try to get those photos. They don't do much for me, and maybe I'd be more into it if I hadn't had so many u/s and will continue to have many of them until this baby is born (hopefuly in 12 more weeks). Last week's u/s, the tech was apparently REALLY into it, making adjustments, changing resolutions to get a better photo. I appreciated her effort, but really wanted to stop her and say thanks, it's okay.

flerlgirl · March 2014

chickpea912 said:

Similar boat as @curlylocks3, minus the extra baby. I have regular growth (and later, biophysical) ultrasounds at MFM, and depending on the tech, they usually switch over to 3D at some point to try to get those photos. They don't do much for me, and maybe I'd be more into it if I hadn't had so many u/s and will continue to have many of them until this baby is born (hopefuly in 12 more weeks). Last week's u/s, the tech was apparently REALLY into it, making adjustments, changing resolutions to get a better photo. I appreciated her effort, but really wanted to stop her and say thanks, it's okay.

WSS

katekat8721 · March 2014

Yep, already did mine. Twins you have to do earlier than later because they start running out of room. Here it's cheaper than a lot of what I've seen in other states, it's only $80. I also did an elective sex scan. Honestly, these scans we did mostly for the family. They got to tag along and it was really cool to experience it with them!

MrsCase1 · March 2014

No. Primarily because my tech has her PhD in sonography (or whatever the heck it is called "officially") and she gave me a long explanation regarding what is "sent" into the uterus energy-wise but I am a laymen and couldn't properly articulate it. Here is a an article and here is another one but for a watered-down explanation, this:

"Although the general use of ultrasound for medical diagnosis is considered safe, ultrasound energy has the potential to produce biological effects. Ultrasound bioeffects may result from scanning for a prolonged period, inappropriate use of color or pulsed Doppler ultrasound without a medical indication, or excessive thermal or mechanical index settings. The AIUM encourages patients to make sure that practitioners using ultrasound have received specific training in fetal imaging to ensure the best possible results."

Basically, there are not very stringent guidelines on who can perform such imaging so it isn't worth it to me. I asked my lady why the statements were "old" and she said because there has been nothing to prove or disprove their safety since. As it is I have to have frequent ultrasounds so since I am a worrier by nature I just figure for me it isn't worth a potential risk. Come to think of it, I am not sure my doctor even has such a machine so I would have to go to a random third party place that does them as a novelty if I were looking to have it done.

kks4471 · March 2014

I had it done at my 25 week growth scan with MFM, and plan on letting them try again at my 30 week scan. I wouldn't pay for an elective scan though, because it's just not that important to me.

babygabe614 · March 2014

Nope, no real interest. I don't even know if they offer them at my practice but I wouldn't pay for one.

ElTrain5 · March 2014

I had my a/s and nt scan done at MFM and the tech turned on 3d and 4d each time. It was pretty awesome.

JohannaD22 · March 2014

Ours is scheduled on Monday. I'm super excited. My sister in law is pregnant and I can't wait to compare to her photo of the newest niece. We could invite anyone we want but want to keep it us. We'll be getting enough stuff that everyone important will be able to see it anyway. Like a few of the other PPs I'll be going back in for a growth check in 4 weeks. LO has some smaller than usual, especially for his size, kidneys so it's just to make sure they are growing. My DH had kidney issues too like they thought he had 3 at one point while in the womb, so I'm not too worried.

LadyMacaron · March 2014

We got to peek at baby in 3D and he looked like Voldemort. I think I want to wait till he's born to see if the Dark Lord lives again...Seriously though, it just looked creepy. I haven't seen any 3D pics that look like baby when he's born, so I'll save my money.

gregsgurl81304 · March 2014

We have discussed it where almost all of DS ultrasounds were in 3D, and we got really great pictures, but were we live now they don't do them except for an elective. I wouldn't mind but Im in no big rush to have it done.

chloephoebecali · March 2014

I barely have the energy to go to my regular appointments so I won't be adding any. I have to arrange a sitter or bring my two with me so it's an ordeal that I try to avoid. I didn't do it with my other kids, either. Just didn't care. She will be here soon enough.

SarahSmile01 · March 2014

I'm considered 'high risk' and for whatever reason my high risk OB always does a 3D ultrasound. The 12 week one was the best. At 18 weeks he looked like Skeketor and both the 22 week and 26 week scans were total busts because LO was moving so much and had his hands in front of his face. Personally I prefer the regular ultrasound pics where you can't see parts of my placenta and weird things. It seems odd to pay for a 3D scan since, at least with our LO, the outcome is so unpredictable. Or maybe we just have a really uncooperative baby. It's sweet that they try but after a few minutes I usually tell them not to worry about it and keep going with the scan to get what they need.

To all ladies getting them- good luck! Hope you get a great image to have as a keepsake :-)

wtfisup · March 2014

I'm leaning towards no now. I don't know. It's sometimes hard bc, since this is the only kid we're having, it feels like we shouldn't skip anything. But meh.

ELC252011 · March 2014

I did one on my self at 24 and 26 weeks. I take full advantage of the machine at work

lest12 · March 2014

wtfisup said:

I'm leaning towards no now. I don't know. It's sometimes hard bc, since this is the only kid we're having, it feels like we shouldn't skip anything. But meh.

@wtfisup, if you're going to have a lot of family in town and you think they might be interested, it could be fun from that perspective.

CindyJill27 · March 2014

We had one done at our a/s...the tech just switched over to 3D/4D and it was pretty amazing. We took one of the images that she printed up for us and put it side by side of a profile picture of my DH and they look identical! I cant wait for our little guy to get here. You can tell he already has a personality of some sorts. At our last u/s he was sticking out his tounge and opening and closing his eyes and scrunching his face...it was pretty amazing to see our little guy before he gets here and how much he looked like his daddy amazes me still and I can't wait till get gets here!!

hlp2709 · March 2014

I think it would be nice to have one done but only if our insurance does not cover it then I don't think we will.

fsumom · March 2014

I chose yes but I decided not to do it. It's really expensive here and we could use the funds for other things.

liberty95 · March 2014

I've had one by default. My OB does a regular ultrasound and always flips a switch near the end for a 3D view. DH and I agree that they look kinda creepy so we wouldn't shell out money to get one done independently.

MSUMands · March 2014

Similar to @MrsCase1‌ my doctor casually mentioned she doesn't recommend them. I don't think I would anyway though. I like the surprise of what they look like when they are born

kimmyberly26 · March 2014

I'm going to the local college in a few weeks to get an ultrasound done as part of the students finals. It will include a 3D scan. I just have to remember a CD for them to copy the pics too.

jwarnerb · March 2014

@wtfisup also planning on this being our only kid. The ultrasound tech did it at our anatomy scan (briefly). It was cooler than I thought, but I wouldn't spend the money to do an elective.

wtfisup · March 2014

@jwarnerb‌ I love your photo!

jwarnerb · March 2014

wtfisup said:

@jwarnerb‌ I love your photo!

Thank you!

meritsamomma · March 2014

We're planning to do one April 13th at a place which offers online streaming so both of our families can find out the sex together. We were going team green but it was very obvious at our AS what the sex was and it's hard keeping it secret. We're having our shower April 28th and will let everyone else know the gender then.

Carriebear22 · March 2014

They did a little 3d imaging during my elective scan at 16 weeks, I didnt' like it, she looked like an alien with a hallow face. But at my 20w6d anatomy scan they did some and it was amazing! I can't believe the difference, she looked like a real baby! Because my blood pressure has been up they are planning on doing scans again at 32 and 36, including some 3d4d images. Excited to see how much she will have changed between, and really to see what my little girl might look like.

Verstej2 · March 2014

No we won't have one. I don't like to have any more than is necessary so hopefully we won't need any more this time around. I have had two (2d ones) so far, a dating one, and the anatomy scan. I think it's neat that the option exists but unless it can be proved that there are absolutely no harmful effects I would just rather not take the risk. But if it were medically necessary I would for sure.

LegalLadyBug · March 2014

Our OB has been doing them since 12 weeks. At the start it was really creepy but yesterday was our 28w appt and I love the face photos we got of them.