3D ultrasound: essence and features of the procedure
3D ultrasound appeared quite recently - at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. The developers have improved the device for classic two-dimensional research by making the device's sensitive sensor larger in size.
The ultrasound procedure has evolved from 1D to 4D technology. The first ultrasound machines produced a graph as a result. Later, a special sensor was developed that was capable of obtaining images of tissues and internal organs of patients. It is called 2D or B-mode (B-scan ultrasonography).
The 3D ultrasound procedure is the same as 2D ultrasound:
- A conductive gel is applied to the pregnant woman's belly, along which the device's sensor is moved - a transducer that emits sound waves.
- The sound penetrates into the body and is reflected from the organs and tissues encountered, returning a signal to the same sensor.
- The received data is displayed on the screen.
The frequency and power of emitted pulses during 3D and 2D ultrasound are the same.
During a classic ultrasound procedure, the doctor, by switching the sensor to three-dimensional mode, can give you the opportunity to examine the unborn child in all details
Since 3D ultrasound is performed during advanced pregnancy, when the uterus already occupies sufficient space in the abdominal cavity, no special preparation is required. It is recommended that a pregnant woman only a few days before the procedure limit the consumption of foods that increase gas formation (brown bread, legumes, cabbage, sweet carbonated drinks).
Three-dimensional ultrasound has several differences from classical ultrasound:
- the resulting image will be three-dimensional, and it will be possible to see details that are not visible with a regular ultrasound;
- The procedure time will increase 2-3 times compared to 2D ultrasound, which usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Today there are ultrasound machines that add a fourth dimension to the three dimensions—time. Thus, on 4D ultrasound you can see a three-dimensional image in real time. Clinics that have such equipment offer to record the entire procedure on a digital medium so that years later the grown-up baby can see his life before birth.
Video: the difference between 3D ultrasound and classic
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of the 3D ultrasound procedure:
- higher level of information content of the study compared to the classical ultrasound procedure;
- accurate diagnosis of developmental defects that manifest themselves in the appearance of the fetus (for example, congenital cleft palate and upper lip, better known as cleft lip and cleft palate);
- the ability to assess the functioning of the child’s cardiovascular system;
- construction of three-dimensional images of internal organs, and timely identification of possible deviations;
- the ability to assess the level of emotional comfort of the baby: if pain and suffering are reflected on his face, then there is a possibility of disturbances in the development of internal organs, while a smile indicates normal development;
- accurate determination of the sex of the child.
The disadvantages of this procedure include:
- high cost;
- increased examination time (compared to classic ultrasound), during which the baby may well turn his back, which makes the process of constructing a 3D image useless;
- restrictions on the time of the study: to obtain the desired image of a pregnant woman, you need to go to the procedure in the period from the 24th to the 28th week;
- decreased quality of research in women who have gained a lot of weight.
The 3D ultrasound machine resembles a modern on-board computer, and the image on its monitor has clear outlines
Devices for three-dimensional diagnostics are quite expensive, so not all modern hospitals can afford them. The price of the examination will vary depending on the level of the selected clinic, the class of equipment, and the qualifications of the ultrasound specialist and will average 3–5 thousand rubles.
Video: are there any advantages to 3D ultrasound?
Reviews about 3D ultrasound
Mothers who have already done a 3D ultrasound are in a hurry to share their impressions with others. Here's what they say:
- Maria: “I had this ultrasound at 19 weeks. The doctor who treated me was simply amazing. Everything was explained and explained in detail. I was lying down, and there was a monitor above my head, where the baby’s tiny arms and legs were visible. He even moved right in my tummy. The doctor took all the necessary measurements, and at the end they issued a conclusion about the ultrasound performed. The only thing I didn’t realize was that we could also make a video, but we still had some good photos. I paid 1,750 rubles for the entire service, which was quite acceptable. By the way, it is better to go for the procedure before 26 weeks, since then the baby simply may not fit on the screen. I advise everyone to try it, it’s great!”
- Oksana: “We did a 3D ultrasound at week 20, but we didn’t get good photos. Our baby turned away from us and covered her face with her tiny hands, feeling shy. The attitude at the hospital was very good. True, I didn’t like that the procedure lasted about half an hour, which was quite a long time for a baby, she even frowned and covered her ears with her hands. So if you do an ultrasound, it’s better to do it once; after all, it’s stressful for the baby.”
- Irina: “I recently did a three-dimensional and even four-dimensional ultrasound, but it didn’t work! The doctor explained this by saying that mothers who were prone to obesity before pregnancy are not recommended to do 3D and 4D examinations because they are hard to see. And you can become thin starting from 20 weeks.”
Indications for use
3D diagnostics is a modern and informative, but completely optional procedure. It pursues the same goals as classic ultrasound:
- identification of fetal development defects;
- diagnosis of genetic diseases, in particular Down syndrome;
- determination of congenital heart defects;
- detailed monitoring of the course of multiple pregnancy;
- determining the sex of the baby, etc.
During a 3D ultrasound, you can see the baby’s facial features, as well as his facial expressions and gestures.
Indications for 3D ultrasound are:
- hereditary predisposition to various diseases;
- the risk of severe developmental pathologies;
- surrogate pregnancy;
- pregnancy as a result of IVF;
- multiple pregnancy.
Multiple pregnancies are considered one of the indications for 3D ultrasound.
Three mandatory ultrasound examinations are required at the legislative level during pregnancy. Modern 2D ultrasound machines are quite capable of finding out all the necessary fetometric data.
Fetal fetometry - data on the most important parameters of the baby’s development (height, weight, head and abdominal circumference, length of limb bones, fronto-occipital and biparietal dimensions), obtained during ultrasound.
There is no urgent need for 3D diagnostics without medical indications. Therefore, rely on common sense and the strength of your desire to see your baby before birth.
Video: recording 3D ultrasound
Interesting
Ultrasound examinations appeared relatively recently, but have gained extraordinary popularity due to their effectiveness. The very first device was invented in 1989, but since the picture it produced was of very low quality, this technique was not used. A little later, after seven years, scanners appeared and it was then that it became possible to improve ultrasound examination. Subsequently, a device with a three-dimensional image function was created. Today, with the help of this device, it is best possible to do a study of a woman’s body and determine the duration and month of pregnancy, the development of the baby and identify any deviations in time. In the field of obstetrics, 3D ultrasound is one of the most effective methods, which allows you to determine such parameters as:
- Fruit size;
- The exact duration of this pregnancy;
- Estimated date of birth;
- Gender of the baby (depending on the period at which the study is carried out).
Thus, this procedure is very popular as it is quite simple and effective. Expectant parents most often eagerly await the results of the examination to make sure that everything is in order with the health of the pregnant woman and the fetus. The complex of medical data obtained after the procedure makes it possible to foresee any deviations in the physical condition; the specialist can prescribe therapy and other procedures. Ultrasound and examination with its help are quite relevant in the modern world and not only in the field of obstetrics, but also for a complete examination of the body for various indications.
Is 3D ultrasound harmful for an unborn child?
Ultrasound is radiation that penetrates the human body. Therefore, the concern of many pregnant women about the possible harm of this procedure on the baby’s body is completely justified.
The first ultrasound machines had quite high power. However, evidence of the harmful effects of ultrasound was obtained through the use of multiply amplified sound waves, which are not used in conventional procedures. Epidemiologists confirm that standard ultrasound examination does not harm the child. WHO officially allows 4 ultrasound procedures during pregnancy, provided that they are not performed before 10 weeks unless absolutely necessary.
In a normal pregnancy, WHO recommends 2–4 ultrasound examinations that will not harm the baby
However, many doctors in modern clinics do not perform 3D ultrasound, citing the conclusion of the authoritative American Federal Agency for Food and Drug Control (FDA). It notes that additional ultrasounds can be performed only in cases caused by medical indications. The FDA denies commercial medicine with proposals to record ultrasound results on digital media. In addition, with 3D diagnostics, the examination time and, accordingly, the impact of ultrasound on the fetus increases several times .
In general, 3D ultrasound is considered quite safe for mother and child. However, it is unreasonable to exceed the recommended number of procedures, guided only by your desire. There are no special contraindications specifically for three-dimensional examination; general contraindications for ultrasound are taken into account.
Video: is there any harm from 3D ultrasound?
When is the best time to do 3D diagnostics?
Expectant mothers are confident that after the 3D ultrasound procedure they will receive a full-fledged photograph of their child, which they will later compare with tenderness and nostalgia to a newborn. However, it is not always possible to take a high-quality photo of the baby. This is influenced by the duration of pregnancy and the position of the baby at the time of the procedure. The optimal period for carrying out 3D diagnostics is considered to be the period from the 24th to the 28th week of pregnancy, by which time the baby is already sufficiently mature.
Using 3D ultrasound, you can get a clear image of your child's appearance.
According to research, it is most likely to take a photo of your baby's face between the 14th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. However, cuter images of children are obtained after the 28th week of pregnancy. In addition, every fourth 3D ultrasound does not make it possible to examine the child’s face.
During the period from the 14th to the 17th week of pregnancy, the procedure is mandatory if there is a suspicion of genetic diseases depending on the sex of the child, as well as other serious developmental defects.
If for parents 3D ultrasound is a pleasant procedure for getting to know their future baby, then for specialists it is the most important diagnostic method, allowing them to think through a treatment plan in advance, and sometimes prepare a room for surgical intervention immediately after the birth of the child, for example, with a heart defect such as transposition of the great vessels.
Video: when to perform a 3D ultrasound of the fetus
3D ultrasound procedure and its advantages
3D ultrasound has its advantages:
- makes it possible to identify various developmental defects that are not visible during a conventional ultrasound, for example, the number of fingers, facial defects, non-fusion of the spinal cord, etc.;
- the device displays a clearer picture, which allows you to quickly take measures to eliminate diseases;
- With a 3D ultrasound you can find out the sex of the child with 100% accuracy , since with a regular ultrasound you can confuse the genitals. Determining gender to a greater extent is not just a whim of parents, but to prevent the development of possible pathologies.
By the way, during the procedure you can take photos and even videos of the baby in the womb. This is very unusual and interesting, and it will remain a memory for many years.
