When is the best time to have a 3D Ultrasound?
GoldenView Ultrasound offers elective 3d and 4d ultrasound services and gender determination to expectant mothers in Chicago IL and Boston MA. We have imaged over 8,000 babies since 2005.
We offer 3d/4d Ultrasound sessions starting at 22 weeks. By 22 weeks gestation, most babies have enough fat stores to image well in 3D. We have found that our customers are much more satisfied with the 3d baby photos that are produced 22 weeks and up. Prior to 22 weeks, many babies still look skeletal in 3D due to lack of fat stores. Additionally, their facial features are more difficult to ascertain. If you are anxious to learn the gender of your baby, we recommend you pay only for a gender determination ultrasound session which are available starting at 16 weeks and then come back later in the pregnancy for a 3d/4d Ultrasound session when your baby is more developed.
On the other end of the spectrum, we prefer to perform the 3D scans no later than the end of the 35th week of pregnancy. While we have obtained some beautiful images of babies post 36 weeks, the odds are greater that the baby may have dropped into the pelvis making facial shots difficult to obtain Additionally, there is generally less amniotic fluid in front of the face this far in the pregnancy. With 3D ultrasound, sufficient amniotic fluid in front of the area we are scanning provides the clarity we need for excellent images.
View 3D images of babies between 22 and 36 weeks taken at GoldenView Ultrasound located in Chicago IL and Boston MA.
At any stage of the pregnancy, the baby can be in a position that is difficult to get facial shots. They may be persistently facing the spine, covered in placenta or have feet and hands in front of the face. Early enough in the pregnancy these factors can usually be remedied by repositioning the expectant mother, or in some cases rescheduling the scan for a later date. If a mother to be were to come in after 36 weeks we would have less time to reschedule and less probability that the baby will move to a better position given the lack of room to move. Keep in mind that this is ultrasound and not a photo session. The babies will often have their hands and/or feet in front of their face. A full face shot is never guaranteed. We have head back from many clients that their baby often holds their hands up to their face just as they did during their ultrasound session and are a wonderful keepsake.
GoldenView Ultrasound will bring you back for a return visit free of charge if we are unable to get any images of your baby on the first visit. This does occur about 10% of the time and usually is remedied by the 2nd visit. Other facilities may charge a fee for this service or refuse to see you again for an additional scan. The majority of our return visits do generate images of the baby if the factor on the first visit was due to positioning and the client came in before the 35th week of pregnancy.
In our experience at GoldenView Ultrasound, overall, the ideal time for most 3D scans is between 25 and 30 weeks. By this stage, the babies facial features are usually developed as well as their fat stores, yet they still have plenty of room to move around and sufficient amniotic fluid in front of them for clear imaging.
For plus sized expectant mothers, the best results for 3D ultrasounds are usually done between 32 and 34 weeks gestation.
Many of our families choose to come in for more than one visit so that they can see the baby develop. GoldenView Ultrasound offers great specials on return visits to our clients. If you are anxious to see your baby and want to watch your baby develop, then by all means, schedule an appointment as early as 22 weeks for the first peek at your baby. At this stage there is generally more fetal movement in the womb and can be a very fun session to view. Coming back again around 28 to 32 weeks for a 2nd visit will generally produce those chubby cheek baby images.
The best time for a 3D scan if you are expecting multiples is usually 23 to 27 weeks gestation. Multiples are often smaller so the extra week gives more time for fetal development but because there is less room in the womb with multiples we do prefer to see you prior to the end of the 27th week.
Call (888)-915-2229 today to schedule an appointment and visit our website at www.GoldenViewUltrasound.com