4D Baby Scans Explained
A 4D pregnancy scan is done in much the same way as the standard ultrasound scans using an ultrasound wand and ultrasound gel. Up to week 12 the ultrasound may be transvaginal to get the best quality images and after this stage the process is much the same as expected and the wand is moved over the mother's abdomen to produce the images.
What's the difference between an ultrasound and a sonogram?
An ultrasound is the name given to the machine that allows you to see images of your baby in your womb. A sonogram is the still shot image taken of your baby and thus, a sonogram picture is taken during the ultrasound.
How does a 4D Ultrasound work?
An ultrasound works by using high frequency sound waves to produce images of your baby and womb. The sound waves produce an echo when they reach the various tissues and organs within your body. These echos are picked up by the ultrasound wand and converted into images on the screen.
How does a 4D Ultrasound differ to a standard Ultrasound?
A 4D ultrasound can produce much clearer images of your baby in the womb. While an image from a standard ultrasound scan may be pretty grainy and vague, a 3D image and 4D video give you a better idea of facial features and can also detect certain abnormalities that aren't possible via a regular baby scan.
Many parents to be opt ot have a 3D/4D ultrasound scan as it allows you to have a much better look at your growing child without the graininess and haze of a regular scan image.
While the images are 3 dimensional, the "4D" aspect of the ultrasound refers to the addition of real time movement. On a fixed image it is just 3D.
Are 3D/4D Baby Scans standard?
No. As part of regular ongoing pregnancy healthcare, standard pregnancy scans are offered at 12 weeks and at 20 weeks. If you opt for private pregnancy healthcare in Spain, you may also be offered a 2D scan at the first booking in appointment.
3D/4D ultrasounds can be booked independently at special clinics. You will often find several companies offering 3D ultrasounds for pregnancy at baby shows and in Spain may cost around 100 - 150 euros depending on the stage of the pregnancy. For this you will receive several printed images, an in-depth report and a full length DVD of the scan process.
What else can be seen on a 4D ultrasound?
Due to the advanced techniques used, there are abnormalities and features of your baby that can be picked up earlier on a 4D baby scan than they can be on a black and white 3D scan. The sex of your child can be picked up in some 4D scans at around 12 weeks and the sonographer is also able to get a clearer view of the nuchal fold, limb measurements, spine and other features that could help identify the risk of Down's Syndrome or Spina Bifida along with various other fetal abnormalities earlier than they could be on a standard scan.
When is the best time to have a 4D baby scan?
During weeks 12-20 the scan will pick up the whole baby on screen and while you won't see facial features clearly, the images will still be much clearer than those picked up by a regular 2D scan in black and white.
The best time to have a 4D baby scan is around weeks 24- 28 at which point you will see clearer images of your baby's face but you won't see images of the entire baby but separate images of various parts of the body.
Where to now...
Visit our Trimester 1 section for an idea of how you and your baby are growing from week to week.
