4D ultrasound during pregnancy: results, photos, reviews

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Modern technologies in medicine are developing at a rapid pace. What was only a fantasy a decade ago has become a reality today. One such example is the use of an ultrasound machine as a diagnostic tool in pregnancy. A few years ago, such a procedure was carried out exclusively according to indications. Today, this diagnostic method is recommended for all pregnant women. In addition, ultrasound has become not only a purely medical procedure, but also a psychological unity of the mother with her fetus - many women consider this procedure the first acquaintance with their child. This effect is achieved due to the fact that the modern 4D ultrasound device allows you to display on the monitor not only a static image, but also the movements of an unborn baby in real time. Read more about what such a diagnostic procedure is in this material.

Four-dimensional ultrasound during pregnancy - what is it?

An ultrasound is a diagnostic procedurewhich is carried out with the help of special medical equipment. Such an examination is used in various fields of medicine in order to determine various pathologies. But in obstetrics, this procedure is most in demand. So, pregnant women are prescribed a scheduled ultrasound examination three times for the entire period of bearing a baby, if necessary, additional procedures can be performed. But if earlier the indicated diagnostics were carried out solely for the purpose of determining possible pathologies of the course of pregnancy, then with the development of technologies, such a procedure helps not only to timely identify various disorders in the he alth of the expectant mother and her baby. Today, pregnant women perceive ultrasound examinations as communication, unity with the baby.

Diagnostic features

What is the peculiarity of 4D ultrasound? Note that any ultrasound examination is a procedure during which, due to the refraction of waves directed by a special device, a black-and-white image is displayed on the monitor. But if two-dimensional ultrasound assumes only a planar image, then 3D diagnostics displays the depth, height and length of the image.

As for 4D ultrasound, in this case, such a parameter as time is also added. Thus, it becomes possible to assess the condition of a pregnant woman and her fetus at the moment in real time. Therefore, it can be argued that such a diagnostic procedure is distinguished by reliability, efficiency and high accuracy of the data obtained.

In addition, during the procedure, future parents canaccurately see the features of your baby, observe his movements. Thus, patients describe cases when, during a four-dimensional ultrasound examination, they observed how the baby rolls over, sucks his finger, grabs his leg. Indeed, thanks to the development of technology, this has become possible.

Note that many clinics do not separate the three-dimensional and four-dimensional examination, but designate the service as “3D / 4D ultrasound”. This is due to the fact that most often during diagnostics, it becomes necessary to capture both a static image and a dynamic one.

How long does it take?

According to the order of the Ministry of He alth, with the normal development of pregnancy, a planned ultrasound examination is scheduled three times: in the first, second and third trimester. But it is not advisable to conduct all these studies using four-dimensional diagnostics. So, if this technology is applied in the early stages, then due to the fact that the baby has not yet formed subcutaneous fatty tissue, there is a possibility that the fetal bone tissues will display ultrasound. Thus, on the monitor you can see the skeleton and internal organs of the child, which not only reduces the medical information content of the examination, but can also adversely affect the mental and moral state of the expectant mother.

In the later stages, it also makes no sense to prescribe such a diagnosis, since the device will only be able to cover certain parts of the body of a grown baby.

When is recommendeddo a 4D ultrasound? 20 weeks of pregnancy is the optimal time. It is during this period that such a diagnosis will be the most informative. Usually, this procedure is prescribed as part of perinatal screening.

What are they researching?

The diagnostic procedure 4D-ultrasound during pregnancy is carried out in order to determine various pathologies of fetal development. What are experts researching?

• Fetal measurements (length, weight, fronto-occipital head size, abdominal and head circumference, measurements of the femur and shoulder joint).
• Determine a pathology such as cleft lip.
• Gender of fetus.
• Location of the placenta, as well as the absence or presence of tone.
• Evaluate the condition of the umbilical cord, determine the presence of entanglement (if necessary, prescribe Doppler).
• Thickness and maturity of the placenta.
• Amniotic fluid volume.

In addition, when conducting additional tests that are included in the complex of perinatal screening, the doctor may suspect genetic disorders in the fetus, such as a disease such as Down syndrome.

Thus, 4D ultrasound of the fetus makes it possible to determine various pathologies of intrauterine development. This, in turn, allows you to take the necessary medical measures in a timely manner.

How is the diagnosis made?

4D ultrasound is performed during pregnancy transabdominally, that is, through the front wall of the abdomen. The procedure is absolutely painless and does not require any preliminary preparation. womanit is proposed to lie on your back, then a special gel is applied to the stomach to conduct ultrasonic waves. The specialist using the transducer of the ultrasonic device “displays” the image of the refracted sound on the monitor.

It is worth noting that the duration of such a procedure is 40-45 minutes, while a two-dimensional study takes 15-25 minutes.

What is displayed on the screen? The picture that appears on the monitor is colorful, voluminous and dynamic. Even a non-specialist is able to distinguish the small features of the baby's face (the shape of the nose, mouth, eyes, etc.), see the fingers on the arms and legs. It is thanks to this realism of the image, the opportunity to admire your unborn baby, that many future parents are looking forward to the appointment of 4D ultrasound. Photos of the baby, which were obtained on the basis of various types of ultrasound examinations, are presented below.

Interpretation of results

Despite the high quality of the image, only a specialist can decipher the indicators. After a comprehensive analysis of the data obtained, the doctor issues a written opinion on the results of the study.

Is this study safe?

Most researchers have concluded that 4D fetal ultrasound is the safest medical procedure. However, scientists at the American Institute of Research do not recommend an ultrasound examination without evidence. Therefore, signing up for such a procedure without appointing a specialist just for the sake ofto see the baby, it is not worth it, such excessive care can negatively affect the course of pregnancy and the development of the fetus.

Cost

Not every pregnant woman can afford to do a 4D ultrasound, since the described diagnostics are quite expensive. Depending on the clinic, the price of such a medical service ranges from 3,500 to 5,000 rubles.

Additional features

Thanks to modern technology, future parents can not only admire the baby during a 4D ultrasound. Most clinics offer additional services such as a video recording of the examination, a printout of a photograph, and the creation of a three-dimensional plaster cast of the child's face.

Ultrasound 4D: reviews of doctors and patients

Specialists, of course, note the high information content, safety and availability of this diagnostic method.

The opinions of patients are subjective. For some, this is an opportunity to get closer to an unborn baby, for others, it is money spent. One way or another, most of the reviews of expectant mothers who have had such a study are positive. Women claim that the impressions and emotions that they experienced when they saw the image of their baby on the monitor screen, his movements in real time, became the most vivid and unforgettable in their lives.

Thus, we can conclude that 4D ultrasound during pregnancy differs from three-dimensional and two-dimensional studies in that it has the fourth characteristicimage dimensions, namely time. In addition, if there are indications, the doctor may also prescribe Doppler ultrasound with ultrasound. Then, in addition to everything described, with the help of such an ultrasound examination, it is possible to analyze the uteroplacental blood flow. This further increases the information content of this medical procedure, which means it reduces the risk of developing various pathologies during pregnancy and significantly increases the likelihood of having a he althy baby.