What are 3D and 4D Scans

More information on 3D and 4D Scans

The difference between 3D and 4D scans are that 3D show still pictures of your baby in the third dimension and 4D show moving images of your baby in the third dimension.Many parents nowadays prefer the 3D or 4D scans and the 2D scans can be disappointing. This is because 2D scans see through the baby and show their organs, whereas 3 and 4D show the outside of the baby.

With 3D and 4D scans, you can feel more connected with your baby in the sense that you could see the shape of their features, or see their tongue sticking out. 3D and 4D scans are not unsafe, they are only sections of 2D images converted into a picture. Experts on the other hand, do not recommend them purely for souvenir reasons as it exposes them to more ultrasound than is necessary. Some can take up to an hour which is longer than the recommendation limit.

As the 3D and 4D scans show more angles and allow more detail, they can therefore show any abnormalities such as cleft palate.

Usually you have to pay for a 3D and 4D scan and arrange it privately. The best time to have one of these scans is between 26 and 30 weeks. You must know however that you are not guaranteed to see their face, as they could be lying in an awkward position. Sometimes you will be asked to go for a walk or come back in a week when your baby has moved around.