3D and 4D ultrasounds are advanced imaging techniques that provide expectant parents with a more detailed view of their unborn baby. Both of these ultrasound types build on traditional 2D ultrasound technology but offer more depth and dimension, capturing detailed images that help in prenatal assessments and also serve as precious keepsakes.
A 3D ultrasound creates a three-dimensional image of the baby by capturing multiple 2D images from different angles and then combining them into a single, more realistic image. This technique allows parents to see more defined facial features, limbs, and even movements like yawning or smiling. Doctors often recommend 3D ultrasounds to assess certain conditions and structures more precisely, such as the development of facial features or identifying specific birth defects, since the added dimension can reveal details that a traditional 2D scan might miss.
4D ultrasound takes the 3D experience a step further by adding the element of real-time movement. While 3D ultrasound offers a still image, 4D captures live video footage, allowing parents to see their baby move, stretch, yawn, or suck their thumb in real-time. The “fourth dimension” refers to this motion, which can be recorded and saved for parents as a memorable video.