Thursday, 12 June 2014

Interesting Facts About 3D Ultrasound Niceville FL Facilities Offer Expectant Parents

By Kenya Campos


At one time, the only "pictures" of one's unborn baby available were the gray, fuzzy sonogram prints from standard two-dimensional ultrasounds. Parents today have much better options however, that allow them to take home beautiful images that are clearly recognizable as a baby, sometimes they are even presented with a DVD of the scan. This is made possible through 3D ultrasound Niceville FL facilities offer to expecting parents.

A standard two-dimensional scan uses a transducer that is moved across the pregnant mother's abdomen which emits high-frequency sound waves into the body. The sound waves bounce back, producing the image of the fetus on the display screen. Although the basic technology is the same with a 3D scan, it implements more advanced software, producing a multi-angle image with considerably more detail. A 4D scan is the same, only it also records the baby's actions in real time.

Safely used to assess fetal development and to diagnose abnormalities in pregnancy for over thirty years, ultrasound scanning is held to be risk-free and does not have any known adverse effects. The FDA has certain safety standards in place that regulate suitable levels of power and criteria that all equipment must meet. The same power level is employed for both 2D and 3D scans.

The ideal time for expectant parents to book a 3D scan is between 26 and 32 weeks. Beginning at about 25 weeks it is possible to capture some quality images of the baby, and some parents will elect to attend more than one ultrasound session so they can get a better picture of the baby's progress and see the changes in him or her with each successive scan.

It is important to understand that these scans are entirely optional and are by no means meant to replace standard 2D ultrasounds that will likely be ordered by one's obstetrician. They are performed at the request of the parents solely for the purpose of enabling them to enjoy a "sneak peek" of their baby, not for diagnostic purposes. Ultrasound technicians can only discuss basic information with parents such as the position, gender, and number of babies in the womb.

Due to the growing popularity of these detailed "sneak previews", the choice of facilities offering these services is also rapidly expanding. As with anything, doing some comparative shopping beforehand is a good idea, parents should confirm that the staff at the facility is suitably trained and experienced and it also helps to get some reviews from other patients.

The clarity of the sonogram images depend on certain factors, in particular the position the baby is in, and how far along the pregnancy is at the time. The main reason why the 26 and 32 week time frame is recommended is because there is still sufficient space in the womb at this stage, which makes it less likely that the placenta or umbilical cord will obstruct the view, and also because the baby gains more facial fat, making its features easier to make out.

Adequate fluid intake is essential to a healthy pregnancy, but it also has the added advantage of producing better images from a 3D sonogram. The amount of amniotic fluid increases when the mother drinks more, this is what can improve scan results and is why pregnant women are encouraged to drink more before their appointment.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment