Frequently Asked Questions...and Answers

What is 3D and 4D ultrasound?

3D ultrasound is the frozen (still) image that will show you the surface of your baby- much like a photograph. Unlike 2D ultrasound, 3D ultrasound will not show your babies organs, and skeletal system.  4D ultrasound is 3D ultrasound in real time- that is you will be seeing your babies movements as they are actually occurring in the womb. 

What is the difference between the CD and the DVD you get with some of the packages?

What should I wear to my ultrasound?

You should always wear very comfortable loose fitting clothing to your ultrasound. Please do not wear a dress or skirt because we need to get to your belly.  If you have a belly ring, or pants with a button and zipper you will have to remove it prior to your First Look; 3D/4D ultrasound probes are specially designed with crystals and should never come into contact with metal. The best way to dress is in maternity pants with a loose belly band, and a shirt. 

How early should I arrive to First Look?

You should arrive to First Look five to ten minutes before your scheduled appointment. There will be one form to complete.  Your ultrasound will begin at the time your appointment is scheduled, so please arrive on time to ensure maximum viewing time.

Do I need to have a full bladder for my ultrasound?

Yes, we do require all moms to have a least a semi full bladder for their First Look, so please arrive well hydrated.

What if I am unable to make it to my appointment?

We understand life is busy, and plans change...if you are unable to attend your First Look for any reason please call 24 hours in advance to either cancel or reschedule prior to your appointment. If you miss your appointment without prior notice you will receive a bill for portion of the ultrasound due to the fact that a technician will be present for your appointment.

Will my insurance cover my 3D ultrasound?

No. Currently insurance does not cover that cost of 3D or 4D ultrasound. This is a completely elective procedure, and should not take the place of your physician’s diagnostic ultrasound.  Payment will be required at the time of service. We have very affordable packages to meet everyone’s budget.

Does this take the place of my Doctor’s ultrasound?

Please remember that your First Look Ultrasound will be a completely elective, non-diagnostic exam, and should in no way be used in place of your physician’s diagnostic exam. Also note that if you are interested in receiving a 4D ultrasound with First Look you will be required to provide proof that you are currently under a physician’s care, and have already received a 2D ultrasound.

Is it safe? Will the baby or me be at risk?

The key to safety is the qualifications of the sonographers performing the exam.  Not all 3D/4D facilities have Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.  At First Look Ultrasound we hire only ARMDS registered sonographers, to ensure you and your unborn child the safest exam possible.  Furthermore extensive studies over the past 30 years have found that ultrasound has not shown any harmful effects to mother or baby.  3D/4D ultrasound uses the exact same intensity as a normal 2D ultrasound. No ultrasound uses any type of radiation or harmful agents; the images are simply created with the use of sound waves.

When can I make an appointment?

We are open Monday through Saturday, with evening appointments available daily. We work by appointment only, so you will need to schedule one prior to receiving your First Look.

When is the best time to receive my 4D ultrasound?

This depends on how you would like to see your baby! Prior to 24 weeks, babies still have a lot of room to move around which makes for a very fun video, however their appearance is much more skeletal at this time.  After 27 weeks babies get much fatter which make for great pictures of the babies facial features. We have observed the best time between 28 and 34 weeks gestation; with 30 weeks being the most optimal. To see when is your best time check our best-time calendar.

How soon should I schedule my appointment?

We advise that you call to schedule your First Look as soon as you decide this is something you are interested in doing. Our schedule for Saturdays and evenings fills up at least 5 weeks in advance, so you will need to schedule very early. If you want an appointment Monday through Friday during the daytime you should schedule about one to two weeks early. We will always try to get you in at a time convenient for you and your family; however if you wait until the last minute we may not be able to.

Will I always get beautiful pictures?

In most cases you will. Sometimes babies are not in the mood to be photographed, and we can have a difficult time getting clear images of their face. If this does happen we will ask you to roll to either side, or get up and walk around, most of the time the baby will change his or her position, and we will try again to obtain better images. We cannot promise that your babies pictures will look the same as ones you have previously seen, however we will always do our best to ensure the highest quality images possible.

What can I do to ensure the best pictures of my baby?

The most important thing you can do to ensure good pictures is to drink plenty of water (minimum of one gallon per day) in the days and weeks leading up to your scan! The more hydrated you are, the clearer the pictures will be! By drinking plenty of water you can increase the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby. Unlike standard 2D ultrasound (black and white) 3D/4D ultrasound requires a significant amount of Amniotic Fluid in order to see the baby with great clarity. Without an ample amount of fluid you WILL NOT get good pictures of your baby. We understand this seems like a lot of water and a bit impossible, but it is the best thing you can do, and a sacrifice most moms are willing to make in order to obtain beautiful images.

You can also try to pay attention to what wakes your baby up, and do that on the day of your First Look; for some moms this means eating a meal, for others it means having some fruit juice! Do whatever works for you and your baby so we can see him/her awake and in the mood to play! When babies sleep, they sometimes tend to roll over and face moms back, or bottom, and we cannot see their cute little faces. As long as we can see the baby's face, the baby can continue sleeping. We have noticed that even when parents are seeing beautiful pictures of the babies face, they are still hoping for more, such as seeing the baby awake and moving. We do not recommend you have this attitude because you may regret not enjoying this special time with you and your baby. We urge you to enjoy the fun and some of the funny positions your baby prefers rather than holding out for the perfect glamour shot. Remember most unborn babies sleep between 20 and 22 hours a day, so it is unlikely that your baby will be awake during your First Look. Even though he/she is sleeping, the baby may still yawn, stretch, suck its thumb or toe, and even stick its tongue out!

Can you tell me the sex of my baby?

Yes! If you are at least 17 weeks pregnant we will be able to predict the sex of your baby with 99% accuracy.  If you do not wish to know the sex of your baby please do not be afraid to still have a 4D ultrasound. Our technicians are highly trained, and know exactly which body part they are viewing at all times. If you inform the technician that you wish to keep the baby's gender a surprise, they will not scan near this region.

Can I bring my family and friends?

Absolutely- we encourage you to share this amazing experience with everyone.  We have a very comfortable atmosphere and should be able to accommodate as many people as you would like. Please inform our staff in advance if you plan on bringing more than 10 guests.

How long will I have to wait for my pictures?

How long is my ultrasound going to last?

If you are having a 3D/4D ultrasound, your First Look will last between 20 and 40 minutes. If you are having a gender determination ultrasound,  your First Look will last between 10 and 20 minutes. We will always book more time just in case your baby is camera shy. To ensure you receive the maximum viewing time please do not be late to your scheduled appointment.

What kind of ultrasound equipment do you use?

At First Look Ultrasound we use state of the art technology- the GE Voluson 730 Expert (PDF) to complete all exams.  The GE Voluson 730 Expert is the best machine for performing 3D and 4D ultrasounds, and is considered the gold standard in the industry. 

If I am overweight, or have gained a lot of weight during my pregnancy will I be able to get clear pictures?

Will I be able to see if my baby has hair during my 3D/4D ultrasound?