3D and 4D Scanning
3D and 4D (moving 3D pictures) scanning gives amazing three dimensional picture of your baby on the screen. Your baby can be seen moving, yawning, sucking its thumb and even apparently smiling.
The equipment uses sophisticated techniques, transforming the traditional 2D scan such as the one that you have at the hospital into a 3D and 4D images.
The scan uses the same ultrasound output levels as the hospital based 2D scanners and as the machine actually generates the image, the exposure time is minimised. The safety of ultrasound is constantly evaluated and the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) has produced documents to ensure its safe use.
With this in mind, your scan will only be performed by someone who holds a recognised medical or ultrasound qualification and who is registered with the appropriate professional bodies.
When is the best time to have a 3D/4D scan?
3D/4D technology is of use at all stages of pregnancy. It can be performed at any time, however, for the best images of your baby we recommend that you arrange an appointment between 24 and 32 weeks of pregnancy.
Will the scan always be successful?
Not always. Sometimes the baby may be lying in a difficult position and we cannot get a good view. If this happens we will be happy to arrange a further scan at no extra charge.
What is included?
A full 3D/4D pregnancy scan takes 45-60 minutes. This gives you time to relax and enjoy the experience, ask questions and share this exciting time with a friend or relative. It also allows time for your baby to move around to enable us to get the best possible images. The actual scan time is often 20 minutes.
You will receive a DVD and or CDRoM of the scan which includes both traditional 2D pictures as well as the 3D images. We will also give you some traditional 2D scan pictures in both black & white and colour.
Could 3D/4D scanning be unsafe for my baby?
Despite extensive studies over 30 years ultrasound has not been shown to cause any harm to mother or baby. Indeed routine scanning of all pregnancies is now normal throughout the whole of Europe. In 3D/4D scanning exactly the same type and intensity of ultrasound is used as with conventional scanning. 3D scanning in fact should reduce the exposure time as by storing the data on a computer the baby's anatomy can be examined off line and not by continual scanning. 4D ultrasound by showing movements will be similar to a conventional scan in terms of exposure.
If I have a 3D scan do I need to have a conventional scan in my own hospital?
It is very important that you go through the hospital routine so that no antenatal test is missed out. By having a 3D scan however, you will have a professional, detailed scan of the baby's growth and anatomy and this information will be sent to your general practitioner