You may have already read how a normal ultrasound is an excellent baby gender predictor, but the development of 3D ultrasound has literally added a whole new dimension to ultrasound scanning.
A standard ultrasound involves 2D scanning where the transducer emits sound waves straight down and which are then reflected back at the same angle. The image rendered on the monitor display is ‘flat’ and almost cross-sectional representation of the baby. 3D ultrasound is different because the sound waves are emitted at many different angles and when reflected back are analyzed by a sophisticated computer. The image displayed will be a reconstructed three dimensional ‘solid’ representation of your baby. This image can show a different variety and level of detail than an ordinary scan. A 4D scan takes this to the next level by rapidly displaying a sequence of the images produced. The effect is that the image appears to move in real time like a video.
What are the advantages of 3D or 4D Ultrasound?
A 3D ultrasound has numerous benefits similar to a normal 2D ultrasound, such as:
• Confirming the presence of a baby, or multiple babies
• Measuring the size and age of your baby
• Checking the position of the baby and placenta
• Checking your baby’s growth and development
• Determining baby gender
The main differences are that a 3D or 4D ultrasound portrays a solid image, and this has both advantages and disadvantages. The 3D ultrasound will show the skin surface as solid as well as the solid exterior of a baby’s organs. This provides a new level of detail that was not possible with the normal two dimensional scans. For example, you will likely be able to a representation of your baby’s face similar to how they would really look like. This is a remarkable and touching moment for any mother and influences the early parent and child bonding process. Also the photographs you may receive from the scan can be a precious keepsake. Also from a medical perspective being able to view solid images of your baby’s limbs, skin and organs provides your health care provider additional information to assess your baby’s condition. For example, identification of a condition such as a cleft lip would likely be improved by having a 3D or 4D ultrasound scan.
Is the procedure for a 3D or 4D scan different from a normal 2D ultrasound?
The procedure is essentially the same of that of a standard 2D ultrasound. Your health care provider will place a quantity of gel on your abdomen before gently gliding the transducer across your skin’s surface. The sound waves emitted and returned to the transducer will be analysed by the computer a represented by an image on the monitor. Most modern ultrasounds have the ability to switch between 2D and 4D imagery.
What are the risks of 3D or 4D ultrasounds?
Like its two-dimensional little brother, 3D and 4D ultrasounds are non-invasive and generally considered as routine and safe procedures. The frequency of sound waves emitted by the transducer are within the same range as a 2D scan and are not considered harmful to you or your child. Ultrasound is generally accepted as a routine, non-invasive and low-risk procedure. Nevertheless, please understand the differences and limitation of 3D and 4D scanning. The images rendered are unlikely to be ‘perfect’. It is common to see some anomalies with the image and understand that these are not necessarily anomalies with your baby, but rather with the representation on the monitor. As an analogy, think about when you might watch TV and the reception is not so good. The image may jump, blur, distort or fragment causing people to look abnormal. Ultrasounds can be similar and need time and repetition to show areas clearly. If you are not prepared for this you be unnecessarily disturbed by some of the things you see.
How accurate a baby gender predictor is a 3D or 4D ultrasound?
A 3D or 4D ultrasound is slightly better at determining baby gender than a standard 2D ultrasound. Particularly for identifying the presence of a boy, the solidification of the image makes the forms of the scrotum and penis more prominent. The three lines indicator that your baby will be a girl is stronger in a normal 2D ultrasound, however, as most modern multidimensional ultrasound systems have the ability to change to 2D imagery, a 3D or 4D scan always has an advantage. The 3D or 4D ultrasounds may therefore ‘fill the gap’ by providing a better option of identifying baby gender before 16 weeks. Bear in mind, however, that it is still not full-proof baby gender predictor. Factors such as the baby position, placenta position and possible umbilical cord obstruction all play their part. If genital regions are visible then the accuracy of gender predictions are above 90% at after 16 weeks. Your health care provider will often refrain from giving a conclusive diagnosis of baby gender until after the twentieth week.
Should I have a 3D or 4D ultrasound?
You will have to weigh up the pros and cons of having a 3D or 4D ultrasound. Unless a specific reason to check for anomalies such as a cleft lip, a 3D ultrasound is normally just considered as something that is ‘nice to have’ rather than a ‘must’. They normally incur an additional cost which can be expensive. Costs are often over a hundred dollars and vary according to whether diagnosis is provided and if video recordings are bought. On the positive side, some private clinics will offer the service with the offer of a free repeat scan if gender cannot be identified. Furthermore as technology advances and is standardized, scans which are expensive now will become more routine and therefore cheaper.
Conclusions
3D and 4D ultrasound developments have certainly added new scope and technology to the baby gender predictor landscape. Further enhancements in the future are sure to increase the likelihood of baby gender being identified accurately. However, what remains to be seen is whether the effectiveness of ultrasound in general can be improved during the early weeks of pregnancy. Until this time, mothers are likely to continue turn to other methods such as baby gender predictor products to bridge the gap.
