3D & 4D Scans
What is a 3/4D Scan?
We at The New Victoria Hospital aim to deliver the most up-to-date, prenatal diagnostic service performed by experts in fetal medicine for our patients. Routine ultrasound scans in pregnancy involves taking a 2-dimensional image in real time and interpreting the result. The most recent development in scanning has been the use of 3 and 4 dimensional ultrasound scans. The 3D image is composed of multiple 2D images that are reconstructed into a 3D real life image of your baby. By using a very fast processor the images can be reconstructed in real time to get a dynamic moving 3D image of your baby known as 4D.
As the 3D scans produce a realistic image of your baby and the 4D scans allow the baby's intricate movements to be seen, these scans give you, as parents, a unique window into the life of your baby in the womb, allowing you to bond more closely with your baby.
For this reason we believe that you should be able to have these scans without being a patient of the Fetal Medicine Clinic, therefore, we offer them to non clinic patients as an additional service carried out by sonographers rather than our Consultants. If you are not a patient of the Fetal Medicine Clinic, you will not receive medical advice or treatment and will be asked to sign a document to this effect. If, however, an abnormality were to be detected we would immediately contact your Consultant Obstetrician.
What does the test involve?
The 3/4D scans are performed in a very similar way to the routine 2D scans. However, the quality of the image for a 3/4D scan is completely dependent on the position of your baby; therefore these can often take between 30 minutes to 1 hour to perform. Although we will try and get the best image possible, it is important to understand that in rare cases the baby’s position or the mothers size, may not allow a clear 3/4D image to be produced.
When is the best time to have a 3/4D Scan?
For optimal images the best time to arrange a visit for 3/4D scans is between 24 – 32 weeks.
Will I get 3/4D pictures to take home?
At the end of the scan the 3D and 4D digital images will be stored on a DVD for you to take home and look at on your home computer, or send to friends and family. We will also print images of the best 3D images for you.
