The Benefits of 3D and 4D Ultrasounds vs. Traditional 2D Ultrasound

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The Benefits of 3D and 4D Ultrasounds vs. Traditional 2D Ultrasound

Most expectant mothers look forward to their first clinic appointment for an ultrasound. It always hits them that it’s during the appointment that they will have their first glimpse of what they are expecting.

An ultrasound gives them the first opportunity to see what the developing baby looks like. The moment is so overwhelming. The parents are joyous, and some tears of joy cascade down their faces.

These moments have been facilitated by technology. Technology has been changing rapidly. A lot has been advanced, especially ultrasound technology. Traditional 2D ultrasound scans are no longer operational in most clinics. Modern expectant mums have the option to choose an ultrasound that they desire. They can decide to do a 3D or 4D ultrasound to scan their growing fetus.

What are traditional 2D ultrasounds?

Traditional 2D ultrasounds are still the best at their work. They produce a 2-dimensional image of the developing fetus. The results conveyed by a 2D ultrasound are typically white and black.

They are blurry and majors on the internal structures of the baby. The scan can be very disappointing if you anticipate seeing what the baby looks like. This scan only shows parents an outline of the developing baby in the uterus.

Introduction of3D and 4D advanced ultrasound technology

The 3D and 4D ultrasound scanning technology is more advanced compared to traditional scans. They utilize unique programming that gives expectant parents a more realistic, more transparent, and life-like look at the growing fetus.

However, 3D and 4D ultrasound are somehow invaluable to the family. It doesn’t offer the expected bonding between the baby and the parents. But, the technology adds a lot, though not so much medical value. Therefore 3D and 4D are not covered by any health or Medicare fund.

To make things clear, the technology is not utilized for diagnostic purposes. According to doctors, prenatal diagnostics depend on the traditional 2D ultrasound scans.

If parents wish to see the face of the baby, 3D and 4D ultrasound scans can be utilized to perform the task. However, the exercise can only be done after the pregnancy attains 30 weeks. At this time, the fetus is well developed, and it is chubby enough, therefore, giving more clear pictures.

But, 3D and 4D technology can be used in the 14th week of gestation to determine the gender of the baby. Most expectant mums do at least two scans. The first one is done in the early gestation period to determine the gender and another one at 30 weeks to have a glimpse of the face of their beautiful piece of joy.

Basic overview

2D traditional ultrasound scan

  • The results of this scan are usually black and white
  • It has a 2-dimensional image of the growing baby
  • It majorly focuses on the prenatal diagnostics and fetus’s internal structure 3D ultrasound scan
  • It gives details of the growing baby’s nose, mouth, ears, and the entire facial features
  • It a 3-dimensional motionless color pictures
  • Most facial features are evident on the 30th week of pregnancy 4D ultrasound scan
  • It has a live streaming video of the womb showing the real-time motion of the baby
  • It has additional dimensions compared to 3D ultrasound imaging
  • It has additional lifelike details i.e., yawning, baby smile and scratching
  • It can record, and parents can be given a DVD copy of the video

What to expect from 3D and 4D technology

  • These days, parents prefer 3D and 4D ultrasound scans for their growing baby. Apart from that, 2D ultrasound is also included in the early weeks of the pregnancy. The following are the expectations:
  • 2D, 3D, and 4D ultrasounds are incredibly safe and utilize a similar sound wave piece of technology.
  • 3D and 4D technology produce better pictures of the unborn fetus
  • Just like 2D traditional ultrasound, both 3D and 4D scans are comfortable, painless, and done on the baby bump.

Advantages of 3D and 4D scans

  • The technology reassures expectant parents of the baby’s growth and well development
  • The technology strengthens the bonding between the baby and the parents even before birth
  • It prepares and encourages older siblings to accept and welcome their yet to arrive, little brother or sister,
  • Parents can be handed DVD’s which they can keep as it holds sweet memories which they can share with family members
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