Looking for Opinions on 3D Ultrasounds...

Updated on March 14, 2007
T.S. asks from Fox River Grove, IL
12 answers

I'm 16 weeks pregnant and have been wanting to know the sex of Baby #2...desparately. What does everyone think of the 3D Ultrasounds available? Have you been to any? I know they aren't covered on insurance and I know that in 4 LONG weeks (haha) I'll be able to have my regular ultrasound, but I want to know sooner and I would like the memories in the detail a 3D can provide.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks

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So What Happened?

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm going to hold off on the 3D for now. I don't have a fear of "risks" with ultrasounds as I had 8 of them when I was pregnant with our son (pregnancy issues). I've had 3 so far with this baby. I have read that the 3D ones are more intese though. I'll see how I feel come later on in the pregnancy about wanting a 3D. 4 weeks isn't THAT long to wait for the 20 week u/s, I suppose!

Thanks again.

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A.R.

answers from Chicago on

Even "regular" ultrasounds pose dangers. I have a book explaining it all, but it might take me a day or so to find it to quote to you. You can probably search on google- if you want more info on this "alternative" view that the drs don't tell you.

I, personally, would not have an ultrasound again unless they thought there might be something wrong with the baby. But that's just me!!

-Amanda
aspiring post-partum doula and aspiring IBCLC,
mommy to Pixie, 6 and a HALF years old- she's now proud to say!

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K.T.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had an awesome experience w/ 3D, but I'd wait until later in your pregnancy when your baby's face is more developed. It was absolutely thrilling to see my baby's face. We even took my parents who live far away but came for the visit. It was an amazing bonding experience for all of us. I have a good friend who did 3D to find out the sex, but wishes she'd waited when she saw our pics. Congratulations on your new little one!

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S.G.

answers from Chicago on

I had a 3D ultrasound and mine was covered by insurance. I was considered "advanced maternal age" and this dr. also did level 2 ultrasounds. It was great. His name is Jason Birnholz and he is in Oak Brook (in the professional center in Oak Brook Mall). His number is ###-###-####. What was so wonderful about him is that he is a doctor, not just a tech, so he actually shows you the screen and tells you about what you are looking at and how and why he is measuring etc. My first child is autistic and I asked him to look at a certain part of the brain for me and he did and explained why or how it looks different in some autistic individuals etc. His equipment is state-of-the art and the coolest thing is that even his regular ultrasounds are great. Talk to your ob and see if he/she could somehow warrant a visit to him (if your insurance doesn't pay, he charges somewhere around $200). I was 17 weeks when we found out our lil guy was a guy. Got some great "manhood" pics too. Good luck.

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S.R.

answers from Chicago on

Congratulations T.!

I know the feeling - waiting to find out the gender of the baby is torture! All ultrasounds, 2D or 3D can be interpreted wrong - that's always a factor - even toward the end of the pregnancy! I have a cousine who was in Nursing school while pregnant, was taking a class from a professor to taught how to read OB ultrasounds, they used her as a model in one class and the professor predicted a boy - with no doubts! Sure enough, she had a girl!

But, I'd go ahead and go. But just know that it may not be as accurate as one later!! Also, the place that we went to in Naperville had a deal where if you came back later in the pregnancy they gave you a discount on the next session. We went at about 27 weeks and it was great! Do both - one now and one later!!

Good luck and I wish you all the best!

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J.H.

answers from Chicago on

I had a 3d/4d ultrasound done at Goldenview ultrasound in downtown Chicago near wrigleyville. It was a wonderful experience and when I get pregnant again, I will definately get another one. My daughter looked exactly like the pictures from the ultrasound. I have a myspace page that has the 3d pic's on it along with pic's of my daughter after she was born. Let me know if you want the link. We bought the dvd of the session which shows her moving, sucking her thumb, scratching her head and everything else and they put it to some cute lullaby music. The pic's were a hit at my shower. I brought our portable dvd player and let people pass it around and I blew up all the pic's to 5x7's and made a board, kinda like the ones kids use at sciencefairs. I highly recommend it and my dr. said there was no harm or risk in getting them done. But I would wait until about 25 weeks which is what I did, any earlier and the baby is not as big and the pic's wont be as good.My friend just opened up a 3d ultrasound place in St. John Indiana and I have seen her work and its the same as the place in Chicago and you dont have to deal with the travel and parking. Her place is called Premiere Ultrasound, tell her J. from Stork News referred you. The number is ###-###-####. She also has a website which is www.PremiereUltrasound.com If you have any more questions dont hesitate to ask. I also own my own business where we put up 8 foot storks to announce new babies and they come with a keepsake bundle that has the babies name, weight, length and bday on them and when you are done with the stork you can hang the bundle on the babies room wall. If you are interested call me at ###-###-####.

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D.G.

answers from Chicago on

hi T.!!!

a little about me , im a 24 yr ols mom with a wonderful 1 yr old Eros !!!

and about the 3d ultrasound , i had it done when i was 7 months pregnant at prenatal view ultrasound , the experience i had was great , the technician was so nice to all of us , the thing that i liked the most is that they let you bring up to 5 people so your family gets to experience this wonderful moment

they have different packages to choose from and different prices but for this you can check out their website prenatalvievultrasound.com the only inconvinience is that is preety far , south elgin , but believe me is worth it !!!!!
once you see the face of your child and of course the sex you forget about the distance or prices !!!

well i hope this helps you and we wish you the best luck on everything ...........D.

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W.P.

answers from Chicago on

Hey! Congratulations! It's funny how you mentioned the 3-D ultrasounds...I actually used to work at a radiology center that does the 3-D and I even got one myself for my last pregnancy, and let me tell you the quality of the pictures is awesome! You can see the baby in a very detailed and very clear on kodak film, and depending on your insurance, they will cover it since it is an ultrasound. I have my pictures, and when I compare it to the previous ultrasound pictures, it baffles me to actually be able to see the baby while in my belly! The place is called Advanced Medical Imaging Center. It's on Wabash on the corner of Washington in downtown Chicago...a little far I know, but that's the only place I can recommend since I know so much about them having been an employee and patient. The number is ###-###-####.

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K.

answers from Chicago on

The 3D ultrasounds produce some amazing pictures, and are definitely neat for the "wow" factor. That said, there's obviously no medical reason to ever have them. Plus, there seems to be some anecdotal (though not firm scientific) evidence that you should really try and minimize your baby's exposure to ultrasound (or any other "messing with" the baby in utero). If it were me, I would just sit tight and enjoy the anticipation. We actually waited until birth to find the sex of our baby and absolutely loved wondering and waiting for the surprise. Just think of it as Christmas - why would you peek at your packages early - it just ruins the fun of opening them!

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L.B.

answers from Chicago on

I'm not sure about the 3D Ultrasound vendors in your area, but in mine they will not do an ultrasound until you've already had one through your doctor/midwife (you need to bring a signed form or report from the ultrasound I believe). This is because it is not meant to be a medical ultrasound and heaven forbid they did see an irregularity, they don't want to be the ones to break that news. So you might be stuck waiting a while anyway.

I did get one with my 2nd pregnancy, and looking back now that I've done more reading I don't think I'd ever do it again. If there's medical need or suspicion of a problem, so be it, ultrasound is a great tool to have when needed, but personally I think I'd avoid it (especially the 3D scans because they tend to be much longer than a regular ultrasound).

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N.O.

answers from Chicago on

Hi T.,

I had one at 36 weeks and it was amazing. I've literally seen my baby before he was born. I personally would wait the 4 long weeks if I had to and have 3d when you're farther along. I know their are "risks" involved, but my daughter is fine after having 4 ultrasounds with her for various reasons. I also drank moderate carffine and had a glass of wine at a wedding which some people thought was awful of me. You have to decide what risks you think are serious dangers and which you're ok with. Talk to your doc about the risks...my office charged me 50 dollars for the proceedure. I can email you the photos if you want to see what they look like...

Best of luck on whatever you decide

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L.W.

answers from Chicago on

Hi T., I definitely think the 3Ds are worth it, but not unless you do it in the last trimester. And I agree with teh previous poster, I remember (I think) that the company I went to won't do it unless you've already had an ultrasound from your doctor (and/or your doctor has to sign an agreement for you to get it done). They won't do it in place of a regular ultrasound b/c they fear people will jsut do that and then skip the diagnostic one and miss getting medically important infomration. Plus, as far as results, you want to wait til your baby is big enough to see detail on the 3D. It's not so amazing that you'd see eyes and nostrils if the baby is still super tiny, you'd just see a 3D kidney bean shape, you know? Plus, your baby doesn;t look like your baby is goign to look yet, then, it looks a little like an alien :-) So personally I think you shoudl wait til the last trimester to spend the extra cash on the 3D--but when you do, I can tell you, my son is 11 months old and I can hold that 3D ultrasound photo up and see that it totally looks exactly like him, it's so cool!

N.P.

answers from Chicago on

Based on what I have read, I personally wouldn't recommend one - more invasive and most performing the 3d/4d are outside of medical building. And for me... if I know the sex, I'd like to keep the looks as to a surprise. :) Good luck to you and congrats!!!

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