Need to know the best time for 4D ultrasound?
Having a baby is one of the best and scariest times for any mother.
Apart from having to listen to advice from everywhere, you still have to make sure that your baby is okay.
Part of this involves taking an ultrasound which will allow you to see your child and the doctor see any problems early enough.
However you must be worried about your baby’s safety when taking 4D ultrasound. Be informed when to avoid having 4D ultrasound scan to reduce risk of miscarriage.
So when is the best time for a 4D ultrasound?
Here’s all you need to know to make this process as safe as possible for you and your baby.
What is a 4D ultrasound
As a soon-to-be mother, you’re probably very excited to see your baby every time you feel them kick inside your stomach.
You can do that by getting an ultrasound which can be 2D, 3D, Doppler, and 4D depending on how much detail you want to see.
Unlike other types of ultrasounds, a 4D ultrasound allows you to see an image of your baby as well as movement in real-time, sort of like a video.
When is the best time for 4D ultrasound
You can safely do an ultrasound of your baby after about 24 weeks of pregnancy.
When it comes to a 4D ultrasound, the best time to get it performed is between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy.
At this time, the baby has developed some fat and is moving around, so you can get a great image.
When expecting multiples, the best time for a 4D ultrasound is between 22-27 weeks.
What to know before getting a 4D ultrasound
If you’re wondering whether to get a 4D ultrasound or not, some of the things you should consider are:
What to eat and drink beforehand
What you eat before a 4D ultrasound appointment determines a lot.
You should eat a light meal and take a glass of fresh juice about 45 minutes before the ultrasound.
It will make the baby more active and give you a lot more to see.
You should also make sure that you’re drinking lots of water in the days leading up to your appointment.
It makes your amniotic fluid clearer thereby making your baby more visible.
What to wear
Dress as comfortably as possible.
Also, keep in mind that your pants will stay below your hips for the duration of the ultrasound.
Who is performing the ultrasound
In most states, performing an ultrasound doesn’t require any special training.
It means that the person doing it may not know what to look for or be able to identify any problems your child may have.
For your peace of mind, you can verify the credentials and training level of your attendant before they perform the 4D ultrasound.
What you hope to see
Whether you want to confirm the sex of your child or see what stage of development they’re at, a 4D ultrasound will show you that and so much more.
4D ultrasound risks
So far, there are no known risks of having a 4D ultrasound.
However, the FDA points out that the ultrasound process leads to slight heating of the body tissues.
The heat might lead to the creation of gas pockets in the tissues of body fluids.
The longterm effects of this are not yet determined.
For this reason, experts advise that 4D, 3D, 2D, and Doppler ultrasounds are only ideal for medical purposes, no mementos.
Getting an ultrasound is an easy and straightforward procedure during pregnancy.
So if you’re wondering when is the best time for 4D ultrasound, you now have all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Iesha is a loving mother of 2 beautiful children. She’s an active parent who enjoys indoor and outdoor adventures with her family. Her mission is to share practical and realistic parenting advice to help the parenting community becoming stronger.