3D & 4D Pregnancy Scans
Most pregnant women cannot wait to get their ultrasounds; these belly scans provide them with the first glimpses of their unborn babies. Ultrasounds have been used in obstetrics since the late 1950s and are used to confirm pregnancy, establish the gestational age and size of the fetus, show the sex, track development and placement as well as indicate any problems the fetus may have.
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Ultrasound Schedule
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Your obstetrician will inform you when to schedule your ultrasounds. Typically, the first one confirms pregnancy at around seven weeks. Between 18 and 20 weeks, a scan is done primarily to evaluate the anatomy and check for any abnormalities. At about 32 weeks, fetal size and growth are measured. Additional ultrasounds can be performed if there are any fetal abnormalities, the mother is considered high-risk, or if the mother goes beyond her due date. Some doctors require a scan 11 to 14 weeks to check for symptoms of Down syndrome.
Ultrasound Types
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Transvaginal scans are used during early pregnancy; probe transducers are inserted vaginally to create sonogram images. Traditional or standard scans provide 2-Dimensional images of the fetus by gliding a transducer over the pregnant woman's belly. Advanced ultrasounds use high-tech equipment to examine any fetal problems. Doppler ultrasounds measure blood pressure and blood flow by bouncing ultrasound waves off of blood cells. 3-D scans provide 3-dimensional images by interpreting sound waves at various angles. 4-D ultrasounds show fetal movement. Fetal Echocardiography evaluates the baby's heart.
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3D Scans
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3-D ultrasounds use the same sound waves as 2-D scans. However, instead of producing a 2-D lateral reading, 3-D scans use transducers to take various pictures of the fetus at different angles. A computer will then merge these pictures into 3-dimensional images. 3-D ultrasounds provide a better picture of what the fetus looks like and can also better detect any fetal abnormalities.
4D Scans
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4-D ultrasounds are also called dynamic 3-D scans. With these scans, parents are able to see facial features as well as their baby move in the womb; it is comparable to watching a video and DVD's can be obtained. These scans are not mandatory so you will have to schedule them on your own at an institution which specializes in them. It is recommended to get 4-D scans between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy since the closest pictures will be obtained during this time.
Risks And Considerations
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Ultrasounds are mostly considered to be safe because there is no ionizing radiation exposure. However, it is advisable to consult with your physician before electing to schedule a medically unnecessary ultrasound, including a 4-D scan. Always make sure that the technician performing the ultrasound is a licensed sonographer and that the equipment being used does not use waves which exceed FDA standards. Ultrasounds should not last for more than 1 hour and 3-D scans should not frequent more than once a month.
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References
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- Photo Credit the newborn image by Sergey Galushko from Fotolia.com
