4D Ultrasound
What is a 4D ultrasound?
4D ultrasounds uses sound waves at a pitch much higher than what you or your baby can hear. These sound waves echo back to the ultrasound machine. The 4D ultrasound machine sends these waves at different angles, analyzes the echoes and forms a 4D image. The 4D portion of the ultrasound is a movie clip of your baby. You can see your baby in 4D moving over time, and this movie is saved as a short video clip.
When is the best time to get a 4D ultrasound?
In our experience, the best time to get the clearest images on 4D ultrasound is between 24 and 30 weeks, with week 26-28 being ideal. But you can also have 4D ultrasound done as early as 16wks.
How can I get good images of my baby on my 4D ultrasound?
On the day of the ultrasound have breakfast or lunch. Then, if you are not diabetic, drink something with sugar in it just before you come in for the ultrasound. The bladder does not have to be full for the exam.
How do I prepare for a 4D ultrasound?
Though a lot isn’t needed to prepare for a 4D examination, you should always arrive 15-30 minutes early for your appointment. For the best results, you should drink more than usual during the week preceding the examination. This ensures that an adequate amount of amniotic fluid is available for clear imaging.
If you are diabetic or on regular medication, please inform us when scheduling your appointment.
We recommend that you wear comfortable clothing that you can easily change out of, if necessary. We also advise that you wear a minimal amount of jewelry as you may be required to remove them. Your items will be securely locked for the duration of your exam.
What to expect?
Upon arriving at Jahmale, you will be greeted by our friendly and knowledgeable staff that will register and help you get ready for your exam. Our dedicated Sonographer/Radiologist will walk you through the procedure, answer any questions you may have and ask you to sign a consent form. The entire procedure of 4D Ultrasound is fairly simple. You will be asked to lay on your back, then an ultrasound gel will be applied to the area the lower abdomen. A probe containing the transducer is used to transmit sound waves through this gel into the body and the image is displayed on an ultrasound screen; the examiner will explain to you about the pregnancy to you.
When will I get my results?
Jahmale 4D Ultrasound results are available immediately after the scan in most cases. If you are a referral patient, you will be asked to wait for your results and advised to discuss the findings with your doctor, who will offer you detailed information and next steps including treatment. Referring doctors may provide Jahmale with an email address for result delivery. Please note that Jahmale will follow the delivery preference of your doctor considering they are your primary health care provider and have the best knowledge of your medical history.
However, ultrasound results for Jahmale patients will be sent directly to your doctor to be discussed with you during your follow-up visit.
What are trisomy 13 and trisomy 18 in children?
Trisomy 13 and trisomy 18 are genetic disorders. They include a combination of birth defects. This includes severe learning problems and health problems that affect nearly every organ in the body.
Most babies born with trisomy 13 or 18 die by age 1. But some babies with these disorders do survive the first year of life. It’s hard to predict how long a child with these disorders might live. There are a few reports of babies with trisomy 13 or 18 surviving to their teens. But this is unusual.
Chromosomes come in sets of 2, or pairs. Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes in their cells. Trisomy means that a person has 3 of a certain chromosome instead of 2. Trisomy 13 means the child has 3 copies of chromosome number 13. Trisomy 18 means the child has 3 copies of chromosome number 18.
