3D/4D Ultrasound Experience

Even before I got pregnant, we both knew we would get a 3D/4D ultrasound when the time came. To us, it’s just so fascinating how much better of a picture you get compared to the 2D ultrasounds.

Once I was pregnant, we thought our last ultrasound at the doctor’s office would be at 18.5 weeks when they did the gender determination, especially if there were no complications during the pregnancy. Well, 21.5 weeks was just too long to wait to take a peek at our little one! Sure, we heard the heartbeat at each appointment, but there’s something so completely different about actually SEEING him.

We booked an appointment at The Prenatal Experience in Tallahassee when I would be 31 weeks. Their website suggests that the optimal time for the ultrasound would be between 27-34 weeks, enough time for facial features to be defined and him to look closer to what he will actually look like when he is born, but not too late that he’s gotten so big and has run out of room. We also invited some family members to join us.

About 45 minutes before the appointment, I drank a regular sized cup of coffee just to get some caffeine and hopefully prompt some movement out of him while we were there.

Brett and I arrived a few minutes early to fill out the paperwork, with our family not too far behind us.

 

{Lobby}

There was an ultrasound already in progress, so we waited in the waiting room until the administrator came out. The couches in the waiting room were oversized and very comfortable. There were toys available for children and reading material available for the adults.

 

The administrator informed us that she was just a few minutes behind, but asked if I felt any movement, which I wasn’t, so she offered me a Pepsi while I waited!

We were then brought back to the ultrasound room, where the family took a seat on the two couches and I relaxed on the bed.

 

The machine was to one side of me with the administrator, and the family was on the other side looking at the projected image on the wall. When we first walked in, this is what we saw on the screen! How exciting!

 

The ultrasound starts out like every other, with some jelly on the belly. She listened to the heartbeat to confirm that everything was good to go. The image starts in 2D until she finds the features she is searching for, and then she switches to 3D. When we first saw him, he was only half turned towards us, but it was still such an amazing thing to see. I had an instant smile on my face, not only because I was seeing what he actually looked like, but because I just knew he wasn’t going to make this easy for us!

 

{Profile}

{Smile :)}

 

{Chubby cheeks}

 

{Little baby feet and hands}

 

{Opening his eyes}

 

She started the DVD recording once she determined the position of the baby. We confirmed that he was a boy (we’d have a room full of boy stuff to return if that wasn’t the case!) and then glanced at some of his other features, like feet, hands and hair, before going back to get a good photo of his face. Still only half turned. He was using my placenta as a pillow and was just so comfy, he wasn’t going to move for anything!

We tried moving my belly in different spots, “tickling” his feet, me laying in different positions and, best of all, me flipping over to my hands and knees for 30 seconds and then flipping back over.

 

Nothing.

 

In fact, I think he thought it was funny. He’s a smart ass already…just like his mommy.

We even tried playing some rock music into my belly courtesy of Pandora on the phone. Again, nothing. Poor kid, we are torturing him already for the sake of a photo. I guess he better get used to it soon with Brett as his Daddy.

After about 40 minutes in the room and 30 minutes on the recording, our session came to a close, but we were told we could come back for a redo to try to get better photos. I was so extremely thankful for this because this appointment was NOT cheap! Don’t get me wrong, I was glad to at least get half of his face, but of course I wanted to see more! Especially since we have yet to have any good ultrasound photo of him…he’s just so stubborn!

Before we left, we did receive some small printed photos, along with the DVD and a CD with about 40 images on it.

Our second appointment was a week and a half later. It was just me and Brett this time. Instead of coffee and soda before the appointment, I had orange juice this time and I think it definitely made a difference.

As soon as we got there, we went back into the room and got started. She immediately noticed that he was in a head down position and commented how we should get better photos this time, and she was right!

{Kissy faces for mommy & daddy!)

 

We could actually see both sides of his face this time! We even caught some action with this one…perfect for our baby shower thank you cards!

We caught him “practice eating”…even on the umbilical cord. Nice.

 

She commented on how big he is and gave us this lovely shot of his flexing bicep arm. My big boy!

After about 20 minutes, he decided he had enough photo time and turned away from us a little. We tried a couple of the same tricks from the last appointment, but that made him turn away more. I guess when he decides he’s done, that’s it! So we called it a day.

We were then brought to another room to pick out the photos that we wanted printed (8 prints were included in the package) and given our DVD and image CD.

Overall, I am very pleased with the experience. Not only was the Prenatal Experience very easy and pleasant to deal with, they were very accommodating to our situation. A place like that can never guarantee what position your baby will be in and if you will get any good shots. And everyone’s idea of a “good shot” may be different. They did not have to offer us a redo session, but I am so thankful they did. We have a really nice set of photos after combining the two sessions.

If you get the opportunity, I would highly suggest partaking in a 3D ultrasound experience. Searching on the internet will yield a variety of debates on the pros and cons of “entertainment ultrasounds”. However, after speaking with my OB, both before the first appointment and before the second appointment, he had no issues with us getting one or going a second time so soon after. He said that as long as you go to a reputable place that follows guidelines and doesn’t try to offer any medical advice, then everything should be fine. Some doctor’s offices even perform them if that is something you’d prefer.

For us, the benefits were numerous. We got to experience something unique, we have photos to share with friends and family…but most of all, being able to see a 3 dimensional image and watch him in his own little world increased our connection with him. My fears dwindled as we confirmed he was definitely a boy and that everything looked good. My love skyrocketed and I am now the mommy-to-be with a photo of my child proudly displayed on my office desk.