4D Ultrasounds

Click Here to find a 4D ultrasound scanning location near you!

4D ultrasounds are the latest incarnation of an existing technology.  The Ultrasound technology itself has been around for years and used extensively in hundreds of thousands of pregnancies.  It is also widely used in other medical examinations throughout the world. 

Carrying a child is the most exciting and emotional time in a woman’s life and it is good to have some questions answered before you go to your appointment.  It will not only allow you to enjoy the experience more, but also your pregnancy!  I have collated some of the most frequently asked questions around and addressed them individually below.

Does the 3D/4D scan present any risk to mother or baby?

Ultrasound technology has been researched extensively in thousands of clinical studies over the past 30 years and has never been shown to cause any harm to either mother or baby.  Exactly the same type and intensity of ultrasound is used for 2D scanning with 3D/4D scanning. They all utilise sound waves to look inside the body. The scanning equipment used is state-of-the-art and has never been found to cause any damage to either of mother or baby.

A probe placed on the stomach emits sound waves into the body then listens for the return echo and generates an image on a screen. 3D/4D ultrasound will be similar therefore to a conventional scan in terms of exposure to the system.

Who will perform my scan?

Your scan will be performed by a fully trained sonographer or radiographer. 

What if an unexpected abnormality is found?

The 4D scan is not designed as a check for fetal abnormalities. If any incidental abnormality is discovered the sonographer will explain the findings as fully as possible to you. At your request we will liaise with your practitioner to pass on this information.  It is extremely unlikely that any abnormalities will be found as the vast majority of women carry healthy babies.

At what stage of my pregnancy is it best to have a 4D scan?

For best results we advise having your scan done between twenty and thirty two weeks.  For 4D scans the optimum time to have one is around twenty six to twenty seven weeks.

When is the best time to have a scan if I am having twins?

As twins tend to have less space around them we usually advise having a 4D scan slightly earlier, usually at around 24 weeks.  This will allow a clearer picture of both the babies before they grow more and obscure each other in the womb.

Can I bring my family and friends along with me to watch my scan?

Yes of course! This is, after all your experience and we encourage you to invite your loved ones along to enjoy the wonderful experience with you (especially since numbers are usually restricted during routine hospital scans).  Part of the benefit of these scans is that is allows family to bond more strongly with the unborn.  Bringing family along to your appointment will allow everybody to enjoy the experience with you.

Will I always get great pictures of my baby?

In most cases you will get great pictures of your baby. Unfortunately however it may not always be possible, as babies don't always behave do as they are told! Sometimes your baby may be laying face down towards the spine or placenta which can make it difficult to see the face. If this happens we may ask you to take a gentle walk outside or have a drink and hope that baby moves, we will then scan you again. If baby is still in an awkward position and we can't get any images we will book you a further appointment at your convenience.

Will you be able to tell me the sex of my baby?

We do not routinely check the sex of baby but if you do wish to know we will do our best to find out for you. This is usually possible in most cases with a 95% accuracy although sometimes depending on babies position this may not be possible.

What if I don't want to find out the sex of my baby?

If you do not wish to know the sex of your baby please let us know and we will do our very best to respect your wishes.  It may be difficult in practice however because the detail of the scan is so great you may get an accidental glimpse.

What do I need to bring with me?

You only need to bring your hospital/antenatal notes along with you. This enables our sonographer to accurately date your pregnancy and contains contact details of your health professionals if they become necessary.

Do I need a full bladder?

It is not always necessary to have a full bladder when you attend for your scan appointment but sometimes it can help particularly when having an early scan. Please therefore ask at time of booking.

Does this replace my hospital scan?

No not at all!  You must complete your standard medical scans.  3D/4D scans are an additional event to your routine antenatal care. You must still attend all of your normal hospital appointments.

How long will my scan appointment last?

We would advise that you allow 1 hour for your appointment. Your scan time can vary depending on the option you choose but depending on how co-operative baby is feeling on the day it may take us a little longer to get you the best images.

I am sure there are many more questions you can think of about pregnancy and ultrasound.  Your sonographer who will look after you during your appointment should be able to answer some if not all of your questions.

It is an exciting time in any woman’s life which will become even more enjoyable if you have all the facts.  I hope this article has gone some of the way to alleviating any concerns you may have had about ultrasound.  These are an increasingly popular choice for thousands of women worldwide and is the unmissable experience before the birth itself.