3D Ultrasound

3D Ultrasound: Opening New Horizons for Fetal Imaging

Mom, how was I born? Where the babies come from? - eternal questions that torment children from a very early age. And really, how did the little baby live in his mother’s tummy for nine whole months?

Over the past few years, a new method of ultrasound diagnostics – three-dimensional ultrasound – has become increasingly popular among expectant parents. While two-dimensional ultrasound allows you to see the image of the baby on a plane, three-dimensional ultrasound diagnostics (3D, 4D) allows you to obtain a three-dimensional image of the fetus. This technology has expanded capabilities, while at the same time remaining the same safe and reliable method of fetal imaging, since the scanning frequency, intensity and power of the ultrasound wave remain the same as in a conventional examination.

A 3D ultrasound provides a much more informative picture of your baby than a conventional 2D ultrasound. In a regular ultrasound image, almost nothing is clear - only incomprehensible lines and dots are visible on it, but in a three-dimensional image the baby looks like he really is. Many parents, having seen the baby, already know in advance who he looks like. Another additional feature of 3D ultrasound is that you can record a real movie about the life of your baby in your tummy on a videotape or DVD. In the video you can follow the baby's movements, examine parts of the body, watch how the baby smiles, cries, yawns, sucks a finger or covers himself with his hands. And how nice it will be in a few years to show your already grown-up child what he was like when he didn’t exist yet!

But the most important value of research using a 3D device is not getting a touching photograph or film about an unborn baby, as some expectant mothers and fathers think, but the fact that information about the baby’s health is as accurate as possible. Three-dimensional examination data provides additional information, especially for the diagnosis of certain developmental defects: limbs, face, spinal column, which are usually difficult to determine using other methods. Also, with maximum accuracy, it is possible to confirm or exclude the most common pathologies in adulthood, such as cleft lip and palate, abnormal development of the heart, brain and other organs.

Three-dimensional ultrasound allows doctors to study the anatomical features of the fetus in more detail, as well as assess its development and organ function. This is especially useful in detecting possible abnormalities or complications during pregnancy. Thanks to 3D imaging, doctors can more accurately determine the diagnosis and develop a treatment plan if necessary.

In addition, 3D ultrasound can create an emotional and grounded experience for expectant parents. Seeing your baby on screen in 3D can be incredibly exciting and lead to a deeper bond with your unborn child. It can also help parents begin to visualize their future baby and create more realistic expectations for parenting.

However, it is worth noting that three-dimensional ultrasound is not a mandatory component of a standard prenatal examination and is usually prescribed only for certain indications or when developmental anomalies are suspected. As with any medical procedure, it is important to discuss all possible risks and benefits with your doctor before deciding to have a 3D ultrasound scan.

Overall, 3D ultrasound opens up new horizons for fetal imaging, providing a more detailed and three-dimensional view of the baby's development. It is a useful tool for diagnosing and monitoring fetal health, as well as for creating an emotional bond between parents and the unborn child.