Difference Between 3D & 4D Ultrasound Pictures
Expectant parents are always eager to see their unborn baby on an ultrasound. Modern technology allows great detail and shows fetal movement better than ever. Today's 3-D and 4-D ultrasounds can be used for keepsake pictures or for diagnostic medical purposes.
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Ultrasound
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Ultrasound is the use of sound waves penetrating the soft tissue and organs to create a picture on a monitor. It is used to image internal organs, muscles and most commonly, fetal well-being. A typical ultrasound is considered 2-D; the image is flat and in black and white.
3-D
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A 3-D ultrasound uses the same principle as a 2-D ultrasound. The difference is the sound waves are emitted from all angles. When they bounce back to the transducer, the picture is in three dimensions. The image shows depth and great detail.
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4-D
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A 4-D ultrasound uses the 3-D technology, but can show movement. The transducer is rolled over the body, and then the image is frozen. The machine turns the picture into 3-D, and then shows the movement between the times the ultrasound started until the image is frozen. These are generally short clips, and can show a heart beating or a baby yawning.
Keepsake
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Boutiques are popping up all over the country offering 3-D/4-D sonograms. Images can show facial features and also determine the sex of the baby. Clips of a baby kicking or yawning in 4-D can be saved on DVD to watch at home.
Diagnostic
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A 3-D/4-D ultrasound can detect fetal abnormalities not seen on a traditional 2-D scan. A cleft lip or club foot can be diagnosed before the baby is born. The 4-D aspect can help to diagnose heart abnormalities in utero.
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