Learning More About 3D / 4D Ultrasound
The questions listed below are the most frequently asked questions about our Elective Prenatal Ultrasound packages. Should you have any questions that are not answered below, please call us at (215) 752-7500 or drop us an email at info@fetalvisionimaging.com.
What if I DO NOT want to know the gender of my baby?
No problem! We believe that waiting to find out what you're having is an amazing surprise to get at the end of a long 9 months! It's no problem at all to avoid that area on the baby so that gender is kept a secret until delivery day. Just give us a call if you have any questions or concerns regarding this issue.
Where are you located?
Our 4D Ultrasound facility is located in Langhorne, PA. We are conveniently located near Philadelphia, PA and proudly serve the surrounding Delaware Valley Region such as Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester and Montgomery Counties, Trenton and Princeton New Jersey, as well as all of South Jersey. If you're looking for a PA ultrasound, Philadelphia ultrasound or a New Jersey ultrasound center, Fetal Vision Imaging is your premier, trusted source!
What is an elective prenatal Ultrasound?
We offer elective 2D, 3D & 4D prenatal Ultrasounds to provide a positive bonding experience for the mother, father and family members with the unborn baby. We feel that realistic surface images provide a connection between the parents and baby that can be beneficial to the whole family. We make no claims that 3-D as used in this examination is performed to better assess the baby for abnormalities. A routine Ultrasound examination should have already been performed to assess the gestational age of the fetus and to evaluate for fetal anomalies as well as the basic components of fetal anatomy recommended for screening.
Does this take the place of an Ultrasound at my doctor's office?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! Women seeking an elective prenatal Ultrasound with Fetal Vision Imaging must already be receiving treatment with a healthcare provider for prenatal care and have already undergone a medical, diagnostic Ultrasound ordered by their provider to confirm their due date, screen for fetal anomalies, and to look for any other pregnancy related issues. The issues that we are evaluating in the elective prenatal Ultrasound session include a limited diagnostic scan to confirm heartbeat, the number of babies in the pregnancy, the position of the baby, and the placental location. Please note, at no time is this exam to be used in place of a complete diagnostic Ultrasound.
Is it safe? Are there any risks to me, or my baby?
Extensive studies over 30 years have found that Ultrasound has not been shown to cause any harm to mother or baby. Routine scanning of all pregnancies is now normal throughout the United States. In 3D/4D scanning, exactly the same type and intensity of Ultrasound is used as with conventional 2D scanning. 3D and 4D Ultrasound both utilize sound waves to look inside the body. A probe placed on the body emits sound waves into the body, listens for the return echo and generates an image. 4D Ultrasound will be similar to a conventional scan in terms of exposure.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes, appointments are necessary for all of our services.
What should I wear to my appointment with Fetal Vision?
Please, no dresses, two-piece outfits work best. This provides easy access to the baby and makes for the most enjoyable and comfortable experience.
How long does the 4D Ultrasound take?
Depending on the package you choose, the 4D Ultrasound session will last between 15 and 30 minutes. If you have purchased the Gold or Platinum package, plan on spending an hour with us as the second half hour will be used to choose the pictures of your baby you would like to print.
Does the type or brand of a 3D/4D Ultrasound machine matter?
Absolutely! 3D ultrasound is an advanced technology and the right equipment makes all the difference in the quality of the photos and videos. The most advanced, state-of-the-art 3D and 4D imaging machine available is the GE Voluson 730 Expert. Other types of 3D machines have a much slower frame speed. Even within the GE brand there are significant differences to be found. For example, the GE Voluson 730 Pro has a frame speed of 25 frames per second compared with the GE Voluson 730 Expert frame speed of 40 frames per second. Frame speed is important to the video portion of your session. The higher the frame speed, the more natural it appears. Baby's movement may appear to be "choppy" with slower frame speeds.
How far along should I be before I have a 4D Ultrasound?
If you plan on having only one 4D Ultrasound session, we recommend anytime between your 25th and 32nd week of the pregnancy, or as close to 29 weeks as possible. At this time, the baby has well-defined facial features and still has plenty of room to move around. However, excellent images have been obtained at our facility as early as 18 weeks and as late as 40 weeks of the pregnancy. Many mothers obtain more than one 4D Ultrasound and have images to enjoy from their second and third trimesters. For twins, best images are obtained between the 22nd and 26th week of the pregnancy.
Will I always get a beautiful picture of my baby?
Usually, but not always. Sometimes if the baby is persistently looking face down, i.e. towards your spine, it may be difficult to see the baby's face. If this happens, a repeat scan in one hour will usually succeed because the baby has turned to a favorable position. We make no promises that the images will be similar to those you might have seen elsewhere or even from our clinic, or that we can always meet everyone's expectations.
Every baby scans differently, depending on its gestational age, position, amount of amniotic fluid, and amount of mother's body tissue. We promise to make every effort to obtain the best possible images of whatever parts of the baby that can be seen. Our goal is for you to have a wonderful experience with us.
Can I bring my family and friends?
Yes! In fact, we encourage you to invite family and friends to attend the elective 4D Ultrasound session. This is a joyous and wonderful experience, one that can be shared with your family and loved ones. We can comfortably accommodate 5 to 6 people on our sofa and chairs, however additional guests are more than welcome to attend. Our seating is specifically arranged so that everyone in your party will have an excellent view of our large screen 4D images of your baby.
Are you able to tell the sex of the baby?
Yes, in most cases we can provide an indication of the sex of the baby. We can't however guarantee that the baby will cooperate during your session. In the world of 3D/4D Ultrasound, your baby is the boss! Certain factors such as body tissue content, developmental stage and fetal position all affect the ability to determine sex.
Is the 4D Ultrasound covered by Insurance?
At this point, insurance does not cover the costs of our Ultrasounds. Since this is an elective procedure and is not intended to be a replacement for your doctor ordered Ultrasound, you will need to pay the cost of this Ultrasound as an out of pocket expense. We accept cash, Visa, MasterCard, and debit cards.
What kind of Ultrasound equipment do you use to perform the 4D Ultrasounds?
We use the state of the art GE Voluson 730 Expert to complete all Ultrasound examinations. The GE Voluson 730 Expert has been seen in GE television commercials and many printed articles from around the world. This machine is simply the best 2D, 3D and 4D Ultrasound machine available.
Please note, many organizations claim to use "state-of-the-art" equipment, when in fact they use older or inferior technology. Only the GE Voluson 730 Expert generates 3D images with amazing clarity and gives you the same clarity with 4D imagery of your baby in motion. Our sonogram equipment allows you to see your baby in live motion video unlike any other equipment on the market today. How much does it cost?
We have ultrasound packages to fit just about anyone's budget. Please refer to our Ultrasound Pricing page for more information on our available 3D/4D ultrasound packages.
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