3D and 4D Obstetric Ultrasound

Preparation
There is no preparation for the ultrasound. Most of the obstetric ultrasounds are done transabdominally. This means that we put gel on your tummy and look at your baby through the tummy wall. Sometimes however we can not see enough with a transabdominal ultrasound alone. This mainly happens when you are still very early in your pregnancy. In those situations, it may be advisable to perform a transvaginal ultrasound. A narrow, gel covered probe is gently introduced into the vagina. Most patients experience no pain or only very mild discomfort. You will be asked to empty your bladder before the scan for your comfort as well as to optimise our views.

Photographs and videos
DVD recording and VHS video taping facilities are available. The ultrasound examination will be recorded free of charge. It is not necessary to bring a DVD disk or video cassette as they are provided by us at no extra charge. You will also receive a picture of your baby.

Children
We welcome children at our practice. There are toys provided in the waiting area. Small children however are rarely able to relate to the images on the screen and may become restless, decreasing your and your partner's enjoyment of the ultrasound experience.

More information
You can find fact sheets on the different types of obstetric ultrasound examinations under 'our services'

3D and 4D ultrasound
Although 3D and 4D ultrasound can create some absolutely fantastic images of the unborn baby, it is very much dependent on the gestation and the position of the baby. At Camberwell Ultrasound for Women and Central Ultrasound for Women, we usually check the fetus in 2D first, to make sure that all is well. At the end of the examination, we do a 3D or 4D ultrasound. It is best to attend a 3D or 4D ultrasound with an open mind, realising that not everyone gets a 'as we've seen it on TV' image. We get beautiful images of the face if the baby is facing up and there is sufficient fluid around baby's face, but that is unfortunately not so every time. We will always try to get the best images in every situation but keeping the limitations of 3 and 4D ultrasound in mind avoids disappointment.