The Benefits Of 4D Sonogram

By Marissa Velazquez


4D sonogram is also called the real time 3D ultrasound. It captures the image of a fetus as it moves. This gives a wide variety of opportunities to physicians for determining the health of the fetus, with much higher accuracy. Besides, it causes minimal trauma for both mother and the baby, compared with other types of examinations.

The basic operating principle of the three dimensional ultrasound is to create a large number of two dimensional images. All these images are made from different angles. When they are put together, it is possible to see the image in all three dimensions. This way the physician is able to see different two dimensional plates in rotations.

When it comes to four dimensional sonogram, the new dimension, the time, is added. It means you can really see a fetus while it moves inside, without mentioned delay. It uses similar, but advanced technology, and the image acquired this way has an excellent quality and can be seen in much more details. It means that the physician has better chances for accurate evaluation.

It is easier to see a fetal age, sex or size. But the most important thing is that this technology allows physicians to clearly notice all possible problems that can be related to placental and fetal abnormalities. All similar problems can be evaluated with much higher accuracy.

Ectopic pregnancies or different structural irregularities related to uterus might cause serious problems. Using this technology, it's much easier to detect similar problems timely. This type of examination should be performed by highly educated and experienced doctors specialized for this only.

Many facilities offer a service of making a video of an unborn baby using this equipment. Although some people do like the idea, you should know that the best period for getting perfectly clear images is between 26 and 32 weeks. Although it is possible to get clear images after that time as well, due to fetus position, it requires more time and effort, and this can increase possible risks.

Although it can be extremely useful in early diagnostics, some physicians use this technology for some other purposes. One example is so called keepsake ultrasound. It is performed just to give a chance to a woman to see her unborn child. It could have positive effects on both expecting parents, because it may increase bonding. It is generally advised not to perform this type of scanning under 17 weeks.

If you would like to determine the sex of the fetus, it is good to know that that cannot be done with high accuracy until the fetus is at least sixteen weeks old. Although some facilities perform this type of scanning earlier, the accuracy at earlier gestational age is questionable. Medical centers mostly advise it before 20 weeks, unless there is a medical reason for it.

All similar procedures, even if they are perfectly harmless, shouldn't be performed unnecessarily. It includes 4D sonogram. It is highly beneficial in diagnostics, it provides very good insight to physicians and creates an amazing, real time images of an unborn baby, but it also produce mechanical vibrations and temperature changes.




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