An ultrasound gives you a peek at your new bundle of joy even before delivery day. Ultrasounds are often used as a tool to make sure the baby is growing and developing properly. More recently, businesses offering a more entertaining keepsake ultrasound experience have opened. Take time to familiarize yourself with 3-D ultrasounds before getting one.

2-D Versus 3-D Ultrasounds

The traditional 2-D ultrasounds create an image of the baby from one angle, creating a flat picture of the baby. You might get views of the baby’s face, profile and back of the head, but they are in individual snapshots. The 3-D ultrasound uses images from several different angles to create a 3-D image of the baby. The 3-D ultrasound is often easier for parents to interpret because the different parts of the baby look more realistic.

How 3-D Ultrasounds Work

Ultrasounds use sound waves emitted toward the baby. The waves are reflected off the baby to create an image. A 3-D ultrasound uses the same energy levels as a 2-D ultrasound, but it emits them at different angles. A software program uses the reflected sounds waves from the different angles to create a detailed image of the baby and all his features.

Benefits

Because the image is more realistic, parents might feel a stronger connection with the unborn baby. The mom-to-be already feels a connection through the baby’s movements, but other family members often feel a bond after seeing the 3-D images of the baby. The more detailed images also help medical professionals evaluate certain birth defects before the baby is born.

Drawbacks

The technology used for the 3-D ultrasound is more advanced than the traditional 2-D ultrasounds. This means the ultrasound tech needs more advanced training to interpret the results accurately. The 3-D ultrasound businesses that provide the keepsake experience aren’t usually staffed with qualified personnel. Problems noticed on these ultrasounds can leave parents worried or without support since the ultrasound tech won’t know how to counsel the parents.

Considerations

Some obstetricians’ offices have the 3-D ultrasound technology in place, meaning you can enjoy the experience with a qualified and skilled ultrasound tech performing the scan. An initial diagnostic ultrasound performed by your physician ensures a proper analysis is complete before any additional 3-D ultrasounds are performed. This prevents finding out about a potential problem without qualified medical personnel available.