The prenatal ultrasound business is awash with new technologies and buzzwords, and while 4D scanning is only one of many, it's becoming more prominent every day. Whether you're wondering what the competition is offering or just trying to decide if 4D is right for you, it can be tricky to navigate through the marketing and get to the facts. What it all comes down to in the end is a new way to visualize an unborn baby as well as to spot potential problems before birth.
Ultrasound scanners work by transmitting high-frequency sound waves into the body that reflect off organs, bones and other various body structures. The reflected waves are then interpreted by a computer to create an image of the scanned area. Ultrasound scans are particularly useful for looking at soft tissues. They are an excellent choice for imaging unborn babies since there is no ionizing radiation involved -- unlike an X-ray or CT scan.
How 3D Works
Traditional ultrasound scans return a two-dimensional image, much like a CT scan or an X-ray. Originally developed at Duke University in 1987, the 3D scanning technique returns a picture showing depth and perspective, giving doctor and parent alike a much clearer look at the unborn child. A 3D scanner sends out sound pulses at many different angles, both in azimuth and elevation, and interprets the return echoes into a realistic three-dimensional image.
Adding the Fourth Dimension
In a 4D ultrasound, the fourth dimension is time. Rather than just presenting a still 3D image, advances in computer technology allow real-time processing of the three-dimensional images, resulting in a moving, real-time 3D image of the unborn child to be displayed. Essentially, 4D ultrasound scanning results in a live 3D movie of what is being scanned.
Advantages of 4D Ultrasound
More than just a breathtaking way to see an unborn child, 4D ultrasound scanners are capable of revealing potential defects and abnormalities with the baby. They can also uncover any structural problems that may exist with the uterus as well as any other factors that may create a high-risk pregnancy. This gives both doctor and mother the information they need to be prepared for the birth going forward.
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