Why should I have a 4D scan?
While it may not be seen as necessary by many couples, having a 3D/4D Ultrasound can be one of the most exciting moments of your pregnancy and a time to bond with your little one before they are born. While a 3D scan shows still pictures of your baby in three dimensions, 4D ultrasound shows moving 3D images of your baby. The fourth dimension refers to the real-time movement – whether it’s your little one sucking their thumb, wriggling, playing with their toes or even smiling. Words cannot describe the joy a new parent feels when they see their baby’s face for the first time in often remarkable detail.
There are many factors that could affect the quality of pictures you get; most are out of our control as the view obtained depends on the baby’s position and the amount of amniotic fluid around the baby. We don’t always obtain the beautiful images you might see on social media, but we try very hard to get the best pictures we can so you can share them with your family.
What can affect the picture quality?
If the baby has it’s hands, feet or umbilical cord in front of the face, or if it is facing down towards your back, the sonographer might move you around to try and obtain different angles. The amount of fluid around the baby’s face, and therefore where he or she is lying will affect picture quality, as will the density of the tissue we have to scan through. If you have strong tummy muscles, have had previous abdominal surgery or have a higher than average BMI, the quality of the images of your baby can be impacted significantly. The depth of the baby from the skin surface plays an important part. The closer the baby is lying to the surface of Mum’s skin and thereby the ultrasound probe means the ultrasound waves have a shorter distance to travel and echo back to the probe, giving an image of higher resolution and therefore clearer pictures of little one.
The position of the placenta can also impact the chance of getting good pictures, as an anterior placenta (where the placenta is at the front of the womb) pushes the baby further away from the skin surface. It can also make a lovely cushion for the baby to snuggle up against, obscuring their face from view.
Here are some things we ask our clients to consider before booking a 3D/4D ultrasound scan and ways to help get the best pictures possible:
The best time to book your scan
A 4D scan can be offered throughout pregnancy, but due to the higher power output and longer scanning times associated with with this type of scan, we don’t offer this service before 24 weeks at Somerset Early Scans.
Between 24-26 weeks facial features are becoming more defined, but if you are having twins this is the best time to capture 3D pictures of the babies as they are not yet too squished together. However, at this stage, the face can look skeletal as the face has not yet started filling out and the features are less defined.
If you are only going to have just one scan in the third trimester, between 27-29 weeks is the BEST TIME. The baby has had time to build up body fat, but still has room to move around, with plenty of amniotic fluid. The baby is bigger and therefore closer to the surface of Mum’s skin; this means that the image is of a higher resolution and it is easier to distinguish the features. We begin to see chubbier cheeks at this stage and can sometimes see babies opening their eyes or blinking. We will not see hair on the scan or the whole of your baby as it is a bit bigger and cannot be seen in one single image.
If you don’t know or don’t want to know the sex of your baby you can still have a third trimester scan and not find out what gender your baby is. It’s always good to mention this but you will be asked this question during your appointment.
If we cannot see the baby’s face clearly at this stage, we would offer a rescan so this gives you ample opportunity to come back to try again.
After 32 weeks, a 3D/4D scan can be more challenging because the baby is beginning to drop into your pelvis, and is taking up more space. The amniotic fluid levels begin to reduce, and the chances of being able to obtain an image of your baby’s face decreases after this time. It is sometimes possible to see your baby beautifully later than 34 weeks, we do not recommend booking at this late stage because the chances of success are slim.
Make sure you drink plenty of water
Drink plenty of water the day before your scan to make sure that you are hydrated. This simple task is important in determining the quality of pictures you will receive. Drinking water will increase the quality and clarity of your amniotic fluid which is like a “window” to view your little one. Try to avoid having fizzy drinks as the gas in your bowel can make the image more difficult to see. Having a comfortably full bladder at the time of your appointment will also push the baby’s head further up from the pelvis, increasing the chances of good views of the face.
Eat before your appointment
Try to have something light to eat (eg. banana, sandwich, small bowl of pasta) about 45 minutes to an hour before your appointment. This will get the baby a little more active. A glass of fruit juice may also help to get the baby moving. The natural sugars in fruit or carbohydrate give your baby a boost and this results in a longer period of activity.
Wear loose clothing
Make sure that you are comfortable and wearing something that isn’t too tight around your hips because the scan will take 30 – 45 minutes.
Know who will be scanning you, and ensure they are qualified to do so
Sonography is not a regulated profession yet, and legally you do not have to have medical training to perform an ultrasound scan. Look carefully at the staff who the company you choose employs, and make sure they are registered and experienced. Someone that has been trained for a few weeks to take baby pictures is NOT the same thing as a qualified sonographer, and has not received the extensive training required to know what it is they are looking at on a scan.
We always check your baby’s wellbeing, fetal growth, placental site and fetal position when you come for a 3D/4D scan. We will perform an umbilical artery Doppler to ensure that the placenta is working properly. The sonographer will provide a written report for your midwife. Should we discover any problems, we will discuss this with you in a compassionate and sensitive manner, and with your consent, would refer you to the appropriate team in the NHS to ensure that you and your little one are safe and receive the best possible care.
At Somerset Early Scans, all the staff are registered and qualified to perform the scans they offer. For our professional practice we maintain registrations with all the relevant bodies, namely the General Medical Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Society of Radiographers and we follow their codes of conduct, and all work in the NHS. This allows us to provide you with both peace of mind and reliable imaging.