10 Things Moms Should Know About Ultrasounds

10 Things Moms Should Know About Ultrasounds

Getting your first ultrasound can be both exciting and nerve wrecking at the same time. You really don’t know what to expect, even if your doctor or mother have told you all about it. And of course, the technology has evolved and a traditional 2D black-and-white ultrasound will seem like something of the past these days compared with the 3D and 4D ultrasounds. But don’t worry if you don’t know the first thing about ultrasounds, at Little Bellies Spa we are experts in the field!

We have narrowed it down to 10 things you should know, so that you can have a better idea of what to expect and what services are available to you.

1. Ultrasound – Getting the image

This procedure gives the mother a lot of valuable information about the health and welfare of the baby. The image of the child is produced by sound waves, which travel through the skin and tissues, which targets a specific body part with a device called a transducer.

2. A 2D ultrasound

2D is the traditional ultrasound that we mentioned in the first paragraph. At Little Bellies Spa, even though the ultrasounds are not done for medical purposes, you can have one between weeks 5 and 9 to confirm that you are pregnant and take a pick at the embryo’s heartbeat. You can also come back between weeks 10 and 13 to see how she is moving and twirling in your belly. After week 14, you can find out the gender of your baby!

Another great tip! After week 14, when you schedule your sessions at Little Bellies Spa, you will be able to see your baby in all modalities: 2D, 3D, 4D and even HD! (Continue reading to find out more about these types of ultrasounds.)

3. A 3D ultrasound

A 3D ultrasound allows collecting volumetric information about the baby in the womb. It is used as a way for the mother to meet her little one before birth. This is a very valuable and exciting experience because through this type of ultrasound, you can observe your baby’s facial features, her body and even if he’s sucking his finger!

4. A 4D ultrasound

A 4D is like 3D but LIVE! A 4D ultrasound takes the ultrasound experience to the next level. It’s very similar to watching a live video. Using this technology, you can see what your baby is doing in real-time inside your womb. You can also see if she is yawning or smiling!

5. HD Ultrasound

At Little Bellies Spa, we have the latest technology in the ultrasound industry! HD Ultrasound is an extraordinary technology that uses a portable light source inside the probe that basically contrasts the baby from the surrounding tissue making her look like she is gleaming and resulting in a stunningly detailed image.

We can save these images in high definition to provide you with superior clarity and image quality. Soon-to-be-parents will have a memory that will take their breath away every time they see it!

6. Risks and/or secondary effects

There is absolutely no risk for the mother or the baby when taking an ultrasound. On the contrary, this technique is used to identify any potential birth risks or issues with the baby but the procedure itself will not harm the mother or the baby. (Ultrasounds don’t involve radiation, like X-rays do.)

7. Have as many as you want!

Ultrasounds have been around for over 40 years and have always been used as the main tool in prenatal care. There has never been a case where an ultrasound has been harmful to the health of the baby or the mother before, during or after pregnancy. There is no limit to the number of ultrasounds that you have to take and you can do them pretty much as many times as you want!

8. How long does it take?

Usually, this test is done in 25 minutes. The doctor may advise the mother to have a full bladder before the test, which helps reproduce the image waves more easily. Your ultrasound technician will put a gel on the abdomen so the transducer can move more easily.

9. Reasons to have an ultrasound

Research has shown that having an ultrasound reduces anxiety, stimulates a parental bond with the fetus and contributes to positive health behavior. Studies have also found that mothers who had 3D or 4D ultrasound showed their images to a greater number of people compared to mothers who had a 2D ultrasound. Specifically, 3D and 4D ultrasounds may have a greater impact on the maternal-fetal bonding process. In the case of fathers, it has been proven that the view of the ultrasound propels them to think more deeply about their roles as parents. It’s also beneficial for kids to see their unborn sister or brother, and a great way to introduce them to the idea that they’ll soon be a big brother or big sister.

Overall, this is a great opportunity to get to know your baby for the first time and to truly start bonding with her.

10. Make it a unique experience

The truth is that having an ultrasound is a very unique experience, and it doesn’t matter how many you have, each one will be different than the other just because of the fact that you will see how your baby is growing, and maybe even catch him doing new things every time; each visit to your ultrasound center will truly be a unique and special event, so make sure you pick the best center for you and your baby.