4D pregnancy ultrasound and what pregnant women should know

Many women who want to see their baby's face as well as the baby's movements even though they are still in the womb have chosen a 4D fetal ultrasound. However, to ensure the safety of the fetus, mothers should take the time to learn about this form of ultrasound before the procedure!

When it is confirmed that you are pregnant, a pregnant mother may have to undergo a variety of tests during pregnancy to make sure your baby is growing healthy. Sometimes, your doctor may order you to perform a 4D pregnancy ultrasound. In contrast, there are pregnant mothers who impatiently want to see their babies in their wombs so they intend to perform this form of ultrasound.

Regardless of the cause, you should have a clear understanding of the following about a 4D fetal scan before performing it.

What is 4D pregnancy ultrasound?

4D fetal ultrasound is a method of reproducing an animation of the baby inside the mother's womb using sound waves to create a moving image. In 3D fetal ultrasound, you can see three-dimensional images of your baby, but with 4D ultrasound, those experiences will be taken to new heights.

This method produces the same effects as watching a live video. When using 4D ultrasound, pregnant mothers can see what their baby is doing inside of her abdomen. Even if you're lucky, you might even see a little angel smiling or yawning.

How is a 4D pregnancy ultrasound performed?

4D ultrasound is performed in a manner similar to other conventional pregnancy ultrasound procedures during pregnancy:

The pregnant mother will be asked to lie on her back on a bed and pull her shirt to reveal her abdomen;

Your doctor will apply a special gel to your abdomen;

The technician will place a detector on your stomach and move it in a circle to get the best picture.

How does 4D pregnancy ultrasound work?

4D ultrasound helps to create pictures of the baby from inside the uterus by:

A device called a probe is moved along the mother's abdomen to help transmit sound waves through the abdomen and through the uterus;

These sound waves will be reflected back to the baby's body in echoes;

The server receives these signals and translates them to the screen;

When your baby moves or is about to kick the abdomen, you can see images on the ultrasound screen.

When is it possible to do a 4D pregnancy ultrasound?

Your doctor will be the one who knows and advises you on when to perform a 4D pregnancy ultrasound. Also, according to BabyCentre , if you intend to have a 4D fetal scan, the best time is around 26 to 30 weeks of pregnancy.

The reason is that before the 26th week of pregnancy, the fetal skin is still thin, so the facial bones will be exposed and it is difficult to observe the child's face. Meanwhile, after 30 weeks of pregnancy, your baby's head may move deep down into your pelvis and you may not be able to see your baby's face.

If you have a frontal placenta , it will be more favorable to see your baby's vision if you reach around 28 weeks of pregnancy.

In addition, the timing of a 4D fetal ultrasound also depends on the position of the fetus in your abdomen. If the fetus lies outward and has enough amniotic fluid, you should be able to see her face clearly. However, if the fetus turns his back, the head is deep down the pelvis or you lack amniotic fluid , things will be more difficult.

The sonographer may ask you to go for a walk, or come back after a week, when your baby may have moved to a better position. If you can't get a good view of your baby's face, you can still see his fingers and toes.

Is 4D pregnancy ultrasound safe?

It is normal to be excited to see your baby for the first time while still in the womb. However, the 4D ultrasound is not quite good.

According to WebMD , 4D pregnancy ultrasound is quite safe and does not endanger your pregnancy. The above method can also help the doctor detect fetal abnormalities such as birth defects, Down syndrome  or fetal edema, ... and discuss with you to find the best solution.

However, sometimes not all clinics are equipped with the safest equipment to perform 4D scanning. It may cause harm to the unborn baby that you may not realize immediately. Moreover, experts from the Daily Mail also warned that too much exposure to any form of fetal ultrasound is not good for the little angel.

Therefore, before performing a 4D pregnancy ultrasound, you should consult your doctor in advance and choose a reputable and reliable address.

Hope the above information can help you better understand 4D pregnancy ultrasound and make the best decision!