Whether it’s your first child or your fourth, there can be many anxious moments of a pregnancy, especially during the first few weeks of fetal development. This is precisely why ultrasound technology is so vital to doctors and parents alike. The ability to regularly monitor the fetus in real time can reveal abnormalities or alleviate concerns.
The advantages of ultrasound
Ultrasound technology, which uses sound waves to produce images, has a few key advantages over other imaging techniques, such as:
- It provides images of the fetus or organs in real-time
- It doesn’t use ionizing radiation, which has been associated with toxic effects on the embryo
- Ultrasound allows the technician to capture different viewing angles
What’s the difference between 3D and 4D ultrasound?
For perspective, an ultrasound of a fetus in 2D generates a flat, black-and-white image. However, 2D ultrasound shows the function of the baby’s internal organs, which is obviously vital to monitoring its health.
With 3D and 4D ultrasound scans, you can see the baby in three-dimensional images. They reveal more internal and external detail from different angles, such as the heart wall, valves or blood flow in various vessels; and outside, the skin or the shape of the mouth. Many parents find it exciting to see the baby in such detail, especially if they see their son or daughter yawning or “smiling.”
At the same time, the depth and detail of 3D and 4D ultrasound imagery is remarkably effective in detecting issues such as a cleft lip, heart defects, skeletal problems or neural abnormalities.
The most significant difference between 3D and 4D ultrasound is that 4D allows physicians to “live stream” video of the baby’s images. 4D ultrasound is essentially 3D ultrasound in live motion.
Trusted fetal ultrasound, conducted by the experts in Anchorage
Although ultrasound is considered one of the safest imaging technologies, precautions should always be taken regarding the time of the scan and the reason for it. An ultrasound scan should only be performed by highly trained, highly skilled sonographers for a short time and at the lowest possible intensity.
At Alaska Family Sonograms, we are proud to be a leader in providing precision ultrasound exams at the highest standards of safety, accuracy and reliability. And we do so with total dedication to your personal care and attention. We inform you during every part of the ultrasound process, work closely with your doctor and provide daily radiology reports.
To learn more or schedule an appointment, give us a call at 907-561-3601 or click here to use our online form.