Oct 6, 2008 5:56 pm US/Eastern
Babies First Wiggles Captured On 4D Ultrasounds
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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2D ultrasound is one slice of the image, 3D is multiple slices but still a static picture. But with 4D, you get real time imagery.
Expectant mothers can't wait to meet their new bundles of joy and now they're getting some high-tech help with 4D ultrasound imaging.
CBS4's Shannon Hori is pregnant with twins and decided to see for herself what the 4D ultrasound was all about because seeing images of your unborn child, or her in case, children, is simply thrilling and breathtaking..
For 25-years, parents relied on simple 2D ultrasound images. But it's grainy and often time, it's just hard to see what's what and you always need an explanation.
In recent years, however, state of the art technology has changed all of that. Now there is three dimensional ultrasounds and more recently, four dimensional ultrasounds.
Here's the difference. 2D ultrasound is one slice of the image, 3D is multiple slices but still a static picture. But with 4D, you get real time imagery. The element of time has been added, letting viewers see the baby moving.
While looking at her 4D ultrasound, Shannon was simply amazed. "It's almost like you have the baby right in front of you. It's amazing. I can't believe the clarity of those little babies."
Most of the time, 2D ultrasound is what's used to check on the baby. But Shannon's physician, Dr. Victor Gonzalez-Quintero says 3D/4D is particularly helpful detecting certain physical abnormalities.
"Mainly it's done when facial defects such as cleft lip or cleft pallet is suspected," explains Dr. Gonzalez-Quintero.
Some ultrasound centers have opened up allowing all soon-to-be-parents a chance to see their babies in 4D, at a cost, but most medical experts don't endorse it.
So how does 3D/4D ultrasound work? A probe emits high frequency sound waves into the body, listens for the return echo and generates a three-dimensional image with movement.
If your doctor's office has a 3D/4D machine, Dr. Gonzalez-Quintero says ask to see your baby in 4D during your regularly scheduled ultrasound. In other words, don't get an extra ultrasound.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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