There is so much to think about when a new baby is joining the family. The nursery is planned and decorated, finding the right car seat and getting your cot purchased and set up. However, for many parents and families, the most exciting part of the pregnancy is the moment when they can see the baby through the use of an ultrasound scan. Sometimes this is the point at which it starts to feel real, that a new person is going to be here soon. This can be the perfect way to say hello to a new baby.
Ultrasound scans have been used by doctors for decades as a routine part of antenatal care. The scans provided in a doctor's office are typically 2-D scans, meaning that the images appear flat. A 3D scan takes images from multiple angles at once, and uses a computer to combine them into a single image that appears multidimensional. These images are typically more realistic looking and may provide an early impression of what the baby actually looks like. A 4-D scan is simply a 3-D scan taken over time, and showing movement. Often a DVD can be obtained by the parents as a special keepsake.
The technology used in an ultrasound is a high-frequency sound wave, too high for humans to hear. It is a similar technology as the sonar originally used to guide ships at night. The sound waves easily pass through soft tissue, but are reflected when they reach more dense matter. The various shades of colour throughout the image (black, white, or shades of grey) depend on how strongly these sound waves are reflected. Ultrasounds do not use radiation, which makes them the preferred imaging method during pregnancy.
There is generally not, and should not be, any pain associated with ultrasounds. The procedure is fairly simple. Before her arrival, the mother is typically asked to drink a reasonable amount of fluids. She will rest comfortably during the procedure. The scan itself is non-invasive; a gel is spread on the mothers' abdomen, and a transducer is passed over the area. There may be slight discomfort from the movement of the transducer, but any discomfort is minimal and short-lived.
Risks associated with such scans are minimal. There are no studies that conclusively show any increased likelihood of foetal abnormality associated with ultrasounds. However, parents considering the procedure would be well-advised to be sure that their scan is performed by a licensed sonographer, and not to have ultrasounds performed more than about once a month. It is also important to note that 3-D and 4-D ultrasound scans do not take the place of routine antenatal care. An expectant mother should be sure to see her physician regularly.
Maria is a health expert and has a lot of experience in the health industry. She believes that people should take care of their bodies in order to live a full and long life.
For further information on 3D and 4d baby scans as well as other private health scans please visit Ultrasound Direct.
