Frequently Asked Questions

Prenatal Sonogram Insight

The questions listed below are the most frequently asked questions about our Prenatal Ultrasound packages. Should you have any questions that are not answered below, please call First View at (303) 431-BABY (2229) or email us.

What is a prenatal ultrasound at Firstview Ultrasound?

We offer live-motion 4D ultrasound experience to provide a positive bond for parents with their unborn baby. We also provide keepsake video and baby photos. Research shows that realistic surface images provide a connection between the parents and baby that can be beneficial to the whole family.

Does this replace the ultrasound at my doctor’s office?

ABSOLUTELY NOT! Women seeking an prenatal ultrasound with First View Ultrasound must already be receiving prenatal care with a healthcare provider and have already undergone a medical, diagnostic ultrasound to confirm their due date, screen for fetal anomalies, and to diagnose any other pregnancy related issues.

We include a limited diagnostic scan to confirm the gender, number of babies, baby’s presentation, placental location and measure the heart rate. 

Is it safe? Are there any risks to me, or my baby?

Extensive studies over 35 years have found that ultrasound has not been shown to cause any maternal or fetal harm. Routine diagnostic scanning of all pregnancies is now a normal procedure. 3D/4D/HD scans use EXACTLY the same type and intensity of ultrasonic waves as in conventional 2D scan.

The combination of increased data gathering (listening) by the transducer and software interpretation after data acquisition creates these amazing 3D/4D/HD images and not a higher intensity, frequency or ‘power’ output. Our guidelines dictate the systems to be used in the Obstetric Application Mode. This mode is capped by the manufacturer below the FDA limits (94 milliwatts/cm2) for exposure. In fact, the system takes simultaneous 2D scans in saggital, coronal and transverse planes and the software renders the 3D/4D/HD images. It’s that simple!

We provide forms to mothers and physicians/midwives with clear written statements of the services offered at First View Ultrasound. We highly recommend that parents discuss with their doctor about any safety concern on 3D/4D/HD ultrasound.

Published studies on ultrasounds can be reviewed below on Dr. Joseph Woo’s world renowned website, a highly respected source of information on maternal-fetal medicine.

www.ob-ultrasound.net
www.ob-ultrasound.net/studies.html

What kind of ultrasound equipment do you use to perform the 3D/4D/HD ultrasound?

We use the state of the art Samsung HD ultrasound machine to complete all Ultrasound examinations. This machine is the best 2D, 3D, 4D and HD Ultrasound machine available. Please note, many organizations claim to use “state-of-the-art” equipment, when in fact they use older or inferior technology. Only the Samsung HD generates 3D images with amazing clarity and gives you the same clarity with 4D imagery of your baby in motion. Our sonogram equipment allows you to see your baby in live motion video unlike any other on the market today.

Please note: Imitators may claim that their equipment such as Aloka uses more advanced technology. This is simply not the case. Samsung, with its unparalled research and development resources, continues to lead the industry’s technological advances and our equipment is regularly updated to give you access to the most advanced technology available.

Do I need an appointment for 3D sonogram?

Yes, appointments are necessary for all of our services. For weekend and evening appointments, we encourage you to schedule well in advance.

How long does the 3D/4D/HD prenatal ultrasound session take?

Depending on the package you choose, the session will last between 10 and 30 minutes. However, we require 5 to 10 minutes for registration/eligibility and 5 to 10 minutes after the scan for printing pictures and formatting the DVDs/CDs.

How far along should I be before I have a 4D sonogram?

If you plan on having only one session, we recommend having the exam performed between 24 and 32 weeks. However, excellent images can be obtained from 18 to 38 weeks. Many mothers opt for our 2-visit Platinum Plus package to see the baby’s growth from the second to the third trimester. For twins, we recommend scans before 30 weeks (22 to 26 weeks for best results with twins.)

Will I always get beautiful 3D pregnancy pictures?

In most cases you will. Sometimes if the baby’s position is face down, i.e., towards your spine, it may be difficult to see the baby’s face. In this case, a complimentary rescan will be scheduled. However, the scan images may not be similar to those you saw elsewhere or even from our center. Every baby scans differently, depending on the gestational age, position, amount of fluid, placental location and mother’s body habitus. However, we promise to make every effort to obtain the best images.

Can I bring family and friends to my ultrasound session?

Yes. In fact, we encourage you to invite family (including siblings) and friends to attend. This is a wonderful and educational experience that will linger in your memories for a lifetime.

For those family members and friends who can’t accompany you to your ultrasound, we now offer our exciting new Sonostream LIVE technology whereby they can watch your ultrasound session live, in real-time over the internet from the comfort of their home or office! Click here to learn more about Sonostream LIVE!

Can you determine the gender during 4D baby ultrasound?

Yes, in almost all cases we provide confirmation of your baby’s gender (only if requested). However, if the baby is uncooperative during the session and we are unable to confirm gender ID, we schedule a complimentary repeat scan for a later date.

Does Insurance cover the 3D/4D/HD pregnancy ultrasound procedure?

At this point, insurance does not cover this.  You will need to pay this as an out of pocket expense. We accept cash, Visa, MasterCard and debit cards.

How much does it cost to receive the 4D pregnancy pictures?

We have various packages to fit anyone’s budget. Please refer to the Pricing section for our packages. We highly recommend that you call us for price comparison as on an ongoing basis, we have seasonal discount specials.