I am 20 weeks pregnant and am considering 3d or 4d ultrasound. How safe is this procedure?

Answer 1

As long as you are having a healthy and normal pregnancy, a 3D or 4D ultrasound is next to harmless. Don't be fooled, though. One of the answers says that "sound" does not hurt the baby. The ultrasound is actually using sound waves to show images of the baby for doctors and parents to see. Under normal circumstances they are perfectly safe, but it is dangerous to have excessive ultrasounds done. If, for instance, you want to get and ultrasound every couple of weeks to see your baby change, it would be a bad idea. Also, talk with your doctor about the 3D/4D ultrasound office you plan to go to. Sometimes the "technicians" in these offices are not properly trained and this can add to the un-safeness of the ultrasound. I personally had the 3D/4D ultrasound done and my doctor said it was fine due to my pregnancy being a very healthy one and I only had it performed once. Congrats and good luck with the babe!

Answer 2

I just answered another person's question on ultrasound so I am copying and pasting it here. I will only add that ultrasound done for any reason other than diagnostic reasons is not approved by the FDA. In other words, ultrasound should only be done for a medically indicated reason. 3D and 4D are almost always used for "keepsake" pictures or video and are not medically indicated.

For more info go to:
http://www.midwiferyservices.org/infoforparents.htm#ultrasound

The most accurate answer is that no one knows for sure if these scans, especially these new ones being done so early in pregnancy, are causing any harm or not.

What is KNOWN about ultrasound is that it has two side effects which happen, especially when exposed for prolonged periods - by prolonged I mean for more than about ONE MINUTE. Ultrasound causes "cavitation', which is the production, growth, and dynamics of oscillating bubbles in a sound wave which occurs when ultrasound emissions interact with gasses in tissues and fluids. This results in bubbles within cells and the oscillation of existing tiny gas bubbles outside the cells - and more. All of this causes the second side effect - heating of the cells and tissues, including bone. If you've ever been to physical therapy or a chiropractor for a muscle strain and had them use ultrasound to warm the muscle you will know what I am talking about.

So what does all this mean to your baby? No one knows what effect this can have on human babies. Animal babies have shown harmful effects. They know that baby boys exposed to ultrasound have a higher incidence of left-handedness. Not that that is bad, but it does show something is going on.

The ultrasound waves also produce vibrations that the baby's ears can pick up as very loud sounds.

Don't have an ultrasound if not medically indicated.

Claudine Crews CPM, LM

Answer 3

It is safe. There has been arguments among the scientific profession as to what kind of harm it can cause if any. But there has been no proof to say that it can threaten a pregnancy or cause any harm. As standard ive had two ultrasounds. I had one at 6wks and another at 18wks.

The 18wk ultrasound is compulsory here in Australia to check baby for abnormalities and to recheck the estimated date of birth. The 3d photo or 4d video is great at providing Obstetricians information on the baby's skin tone and to check for cleft lip and cleft palate. Ive had 2d, 3d photo and 4d realtime done. The 2d checks the internal organs for abnormalities, the size of the brain and lobes, the heart, kidneys, liver and other internal organs.

Answer 4

there is possibility to each thing! although, the ranges are somewhat low and correctly interior proper parameters. there is not any longer as plenty radiation as what there could be in a customary x-ray. My twins actual do no longer in basic terms like the ultrasounds however! they gets into the extra severe accessible place and stay there so the tech can no longer get her readings! I had to have a hi-def ultrasound because of the fact they however I had a wierd analyzing with a customary ultrasound at our community baby's scientific institution and that i requested them in regards to the usefulness of the 4D ultrasounds. They advised me that they do no longer somewhat have any scientific use and that they are for all intents and purposes sturdy for no longer something yet entertainment. sturdy success!

Answer 5

As far as I know they are done in the same manner as traditional ultra sounds. They are best done between 17 and 35 weeks. Remember they should not be used for medical analysis or for diagnostic purposed. Infact most places will recommend that you have a diagnostic ultrasound before and 3D or 4D scan.

Answer 6

It is safe there has been no proven fact that is harms a fetus. It also is good for finding abnormality's that a regular ultrasound cant detect I have had it done 4 times with my pregnant (4d 3d) And I have a perfectly normal little thing inside of me. And i know what she looks like. Congrats.

Answer 7

They aren't completely sure how safe it is actually. Some studies are coming out saying that prolonged exposure to ultrasound of any kind may cause birth defects. So if you do it its probably best to do it very infrequently.

Answer 8

I had the 3d done and it is just like a normal ultrasound. So very safe.

Answer 9

they wouldnt have ultra sounds if they werent safe some people get them every month because there is something wrong with the baby and they have to moniter the baby so it will be fine

Answer 10

Listen to your doctor, he or she isn't going to do anything that will your baby. Ask for a copy too, use them as baby's first picture; I have one for all my children.