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It is estimated that about seventy percent of women have an ultrasound done when they are pregnant. With the availability of new technologies for imaging, various terms such as 2D, 3D and 4D have become more common.
2D is the old standard for ultrasound but over the years has been replaced by 3D and 4D. 2D ultrasound usually gives the outlines and images of the fetus but also enables one to see the baby’s internal organs. This may enable diagnosis of problems in the kidneys, internal tissues as well as heart defects.
Ultrasound is also known as scans and can be performed because of various reasons. A medical ultrasound during pregnancy usually works on a similar principle as that of Sonar which is used in oceanography. The technician or individual performing the ultrasound normally uses an ultrasound probe that is hand-held.
The ultrasound probe is used for the generation and receiving of sound waves of high frequency which cannot be detected by the human ear. During each scan, many sound waves are produced. These are absorbed and bounced back from body fluids, human tissue and bones resulting to the creation of images that are similar to the negative of a photograph.
Benefits
There are many benefits of having 3D or 4D ultrasound during pregnancy.
These include:
Detecting physical deformity
Because of the more clear and dimensional images that are generated from a 3D or 4D ultrasound, it is very easy to detect any physical deformity of the fetus. This also happens with a high level of accuracy and action can be taken to remedy the situation if possible.There is more accuracy in identifying and examining the size and extent of physical abnormalities in the fetus than if 2D is used.
Clearer images
Taking 4D baby scans for ultrasound enables one to view clearer images of the fetus. It is possible to see what the fetus is doing in the womb, for instance, scratching, smiling or even yawning.
Bonding
There is improvement of either paternal or maternal bonding. Parents can meet their babies before they are even born because the baby’s picture is more realistic. This has been shown to result to the mother taking more care for herself and thus her baby.
Understanding the anatomy of the fetus
Medical practitioners are able to rapidly acquire volumes of data which they may use during prenatal clinics. It results to an improvement in understanding of the anatomy of the fetus on the part of the patient or even their family. Clinicians who don’t specialize in ultrasound are also able to easily recognize any physical abnormalities in the fetus. This is because the images are very clear when either 3D or 4D ultrasound is used. The time required for examination of the anatomy is shorter because it can be studied in any view from a computer image that is stored. It is possible to determine how old the fetus is as well as the developmental stage it is in by taking and examining 3D baby scans. A medical practitioner can be able to detect abnormal bleeding and ectopic pregnancies. It is also relatively easy to find tumours in the ovaries or even fibroids.
Elizabeth Lampman is a coffee-fuelled Mom of 2 girls and lives in Hamilton, Ontario. She enjoys travelling, developing easy recipes, crafting, taking on diy projects, travelling and saving money!
I wonder if/when 3D will be the standard test during pregnancy. I think they are interesting, and kind of creepy. I never got one with the boys, but maybe when we have another – the kids might be able to relate better to the 3D images. The problem is the cost.
I never had 3D or 4D done because I thought it was creepy but I think it would be cool to have the photos now so I could compare them to his first few photos!
I wanted to get a 4D ultrasound both times I was pregnant but decided each time not to. The regular 3D did the trick for me. I decided I wanted to be surprised when it came to trying to figure out each of their facial features.
We don’t have the 4D option here. I do have a few 3D pics. They are pretty cool. I should actually dig them out, I don’t think my two year old has seen them yet!
I would love to see some statistics about the increased bonding. That’s a big statement.
The author couldn’t give me stats when asked but she did say it was based on being able to see the baby so clearly before birth starts the bonding process earlier.
They weren’t an option with our first and when we went to the city to find out the sex of our youngest (because they won’t tell you here), we could have had a 3D one but it was too expensive. We were already paying to find out the gender. So, we decided to wait to actually “see” his cute lil face once he came out.
I really liked what you said about having clearer images of your baby. For my first two pregnancies, I just had the traditional ultrasound, but my friend showed me a picture from hers and it was much more detailed. I would love to have something more like this for my next pregnancy.
I love what you mentioned about ultrasounds being able to improve paternal and/or maternal bonds. My husband and I recently found out that we’re expecting a baby, and I’ve been excited to have our first ultrasound. Hopefully the experience can be beautiful and increase our bond. We’ll have to start looking for great ultrasound options!
Thank you for helping me learn more about the benefits of a 4d ultrasound. My sister recently told me that she is pregnant. She will be interested in knowing that you mentioned that a 4d scans can let you see your baby smiling and yawning.
It’s really cool that getting ultrasounds has shown to make the mother take better care of herself so that the baby stays healthy too! My wife has been having a hard time remembering to eat. It would be nice if showing her the baby would inspire her to try harder.
I never had the 3D or 4D images done with my kids, but I think they look so neat!! Wish I would have 🙂
Would have been neat to “see” them before they were born. 🙂
I wonder if/when 3D will be the standard test during pregnancy. I think they are interesting, and kind of creepy. I never got one with the boys, but maybe when we have another – the kids might be able to relate better to the 3D images. The problem is the cost.
I never had 3D or 4D done because I thought it was creepy but I think it would be cool to have the photos now so I could compare them to his first few photos!
I had 3Ds with my kids and I’m so glad we did. The kids love seeing themselves as wee little beings!
I had 3D the first time and 4D the second time. Just loved that you could actually see your child before they were born!
I never had either because we adored our girls. I live how far technology has come!
I wanted to get a 4D ultrasound both times I was pregnant but decided each time not to. The regular 3D did the trick for me. I decided I wanted to be surprised when it came to trying to figure out each of their facial features.
I never got one for Little One, but many of my friends have. I think it’s so neat to really SEE baby before he/she is born!
very interesting… since I haven’t been pregnant in about 18 years… technology sure has come along way.
I had one done for both my boys. I loved seeing their little features on the inside. Also helped confirmed the sex!
I never had the option of doing a 3D or 4D ultrasound but I totally would have!
We never had that option when I was pregnant but I definitely would have asked for one!
The technology wasn’t around when my I was pregs with my kids. I would have done it – I think it’s wonderful.marie h
Those are good points!
We only did this with our 4th it was so neat to see! Great post!
We don’t have the 4D option here. I do have a few 3D pics. They are pretty cool. I should actually dig them out, I don’t think my two year old has seen them yet!
I would love to see some statistics about the increased bonding. That’s a big statement.
The author couldn’t give me stats when asked but she did say it was based on being able to see the baby so clearly before birth starts the bonding process earlier.
They weren’t an option with our first and when we went to the city to find out the sex of our youngest (because they won’t tell you here), we could have had a 3D one but it was too expensive. We were already paying to find out the gender. So, we decided to wait to actually “see” his cute lil face once he came out.
It is amazing the medical break throughs’ that have come available. The was only 2D when I had my children
I love how far technology has come,Wish this had been available when I was having my kids
I really liked what you said about having clearer images of your baby. For my first two pregnancies, I just had the traditional ultrasound, but my friend showed me a picture from hers and it was much more detailed. I would love to have something more like this for my next pregnancy.
I love what you mentioned about ultrasounds being able to improve paternal and/or maternal bonds. My husband and I recently found out that we’re expecting a baby, and I’ve been excited to have our first ultrasound. Hopefully the experience can be beautiful and increase our bond. We’ll have to start looking for great ultrasound options!
Thank you for helping me learn more about the benefits of a 4d ultrasound. My sister recently told me that she is pregnant. She will be interested in knowing that you mentioned that a 4d scans can let you see your baby smiling and yawning.
It’s really cool that getting ultrasounds has shown to make the mother take better care of herself so that the baby stays healthy too! My wife has been having a hard time remembering to eat. It would be nice if showing her the baby would inspire her to try harder.