What is the difference between 3D ultrasound and 4D ultrasound?
3D is a still image while 4D adds the dimension of motion so it looks like a video.

What is your facility like?
We pride ourselves on being an inviting, relaxing, comfortable, and spacious environment for you and your family. We are also located in an up-scale retail location rather than sterile looking office buildings.

Is 3D and 4D ultrasound safe for me and my baby?
3D and 4D ultrasound use the same frequency as your doctor uses in the normal 2D ultrasound. Ultrasounds have been used for over 35 years and there have been no proven side effects from its proper use. We strictly adhere to the FDA’s standards.

Do you accept insurance?
No, we do not accept insurance because this is an elective procedure.

When is the best time to have a 3d/4d ultrasound?
That depends on what you are looking to see. Many mothers like coming in twice, early on, 15-26 weeks, when they can see the baby as a whole, and then again at 25-34 weeks to see a more detailed face. Between 28 and 32 weeks, your baby develops more fat and gets a more defined face. After 34 weeks, it becomes more and more difficult to obtain good pictures since the baby is running out of room. However all babies are different and we have been successful in obtaining great images all the way up to 39 weeks. Feel free to CLICK HERE to view our Best Scan Ultrasound Calendar to help determine when the best time to come in for your ultrasound is.

How good are you at determining the sex of the baby?
At 15 weeks we can determine the gender with a very high accuracy. If you are over 15 weeks and the gender can not be seen, we invite you back for a weekday return appointment and we will rescan you for free within the next 14 days. The need for a return visit is usually due to the baby’s position.

How can I be sure to get the best possible 3D/4D pictures?
Most doctors recommend maintaining a healthy fluid intake, especially while you are pregnant. This will help to ensure your amniotic fluid is clear as well as full. There are many things out of the sonographer’s control like the baby’s position, the mother’s skin type and build, amount of amniotic fluid, etc.

What should I do prior to the 3D/4D appointment?
Drink plenty of water even several days before your appointment to ensure your amniotic fluid is clear. About a half hour before your 3D/4D ultrasound scan, try to drink a fruit juice so that your baby will be awake during your session (unless you are told not to by your physician).

How long is the 3D/4D ultrasound session?
Depending on the ultrasound package that you select, your session will last between 10 and 25 minutes. However, plan on spending 30 minutes to an hour at our studio so that we can send you home with memories to last a life time. It is best to arrive a few minutes early to fill out our paperwork.

Are family and friends welcome to join?
Yes! We encourage you to bring your friends and family to share this special moment with you. Children are also welcome and we provide them with plenty of toys and books to keep them entertained. At our Durham, NC location our ultrasound room can comfortably seat 10 plus people, but more are welcome if they would like to stand and watch. The ultrasound is projected onto a 120 inch screen so that everyone is able to see with ease.

How can I pay for the ultrasound?
We currently accept major credit/debit cards and cash.

When do I get my 3D/4D pictures and videos?
Less than 5 minutes after your session has ended.

Will my doctor be contacted about the 3d/4d ultrasound?
We do not contact your doctor prior to the scan since this is an elective procedure. If we do see something wrong during the scan, we contact your doctor and send her the report. We do require however that you currently are under prenatal care and if you have any concerns, you should ask your doctor. Ultrasound technicians in general cannot make a diagnosis.

Will I always get great images of my baby?
Most of the time we are able to get great images, but not always. Sometimes if the baby is looking face down toward mom’s spine we are unable to get images, or if the baby is laying against the placenta. Every baby scans differently, depending on its gestational age, position, amount of fluid, and mother’s condition. We promise to make every effort to obtain the best possible images of whatever parts of the baby that can be seen.

What will determine quality of the images?
Fetal position is the number one determination of how your image quality. Some babies come ready for viewing and great images are obtained. Others simply turn their back or cuddle up to the placenta or the uterine wall or insist on putting their hands and feet in front of their face. We will try hard to make your baby move in order to see and image the face. Drinking juice or eating a little candy may help the baby move a little on that day of imaging.

What can I do to improve the images of my ultrasound?
WATER! is the best answer to how to improve your images. You should be drinking plenty of water beginning at least 7 days before your scheduled appointment. Water can improve the quality of an ultrasound.

What if we are not able to get images?
It is our number one priority at Durham 4D Baby to obtain the absolute best images of your baby & make sure you are satisfied to the fullest. We use the top of the line ultrasound equipment to ensure this, however, some factors that determine the outcome of your ultrasound are out of our control such as: location of your placenta, the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding your baby, the clarity of the amniotic fluid, the baby’s position, & the overall fetal environment. If we are unable to determine the gender of your child or obtain 3D/4D images at your scheduled appointment due to these factors mentioned above, you will be asked to reschedule & come back for a second appointment within the next 14 days at no charge.

What if my baby is breech?
Breech position is when the baby’s head is located at the top of your uterus & feet are down. If you do know that your baby is breech prior to your 3D/4D ultrasound, we do advise you to reschedule your appointment a few weeks later to allow more time for the baby to turn. Good pictures can be obtained with breech babies, but they not guaranteed & are much more likely if the baby is head down. However some babies remain breech until very late in the pregnancy or never turn, if this is the case you can still do a 3D/4D ultrasound and we should be able to get good images if you have plenty of amniotic fluid.

If I am overweight will I be able to get clear ultrasound images?
If you are overweight you should not be afraid to have a 4D elective ultrasound, however we strongly urge that you wait until after 30 weeks gestation to give the baby time to obtain more fat on their face. If you are overweight you will need to have a VERY high level of amniotic fluid to obtain clear images of the baby. If you drink the recommend amount of water in the weeks leading up to your appointment there is no reason you should not be able to obtain great images!

Why are ultrasounds performed?

An ultrasound exam is medically indicated throughout pregnancy for the following reasons:

First Trimester:

• Confirm pregnancy
• Confirm heartbeat and rate
• Measure the crown-rump length
• Determine estimated due date
• Confirm molar or ectopic pregnancies
• Assess abnormal gestation