|  | Family Health | Health Pregnancy

What Are 4-D Ultrasounds?

The process for performing a 4-D ultrasound to create a photographic record of an unborn baby is the same as for 2-D and 3-D. The difference is in how the computer collects and manipulates the data in order to present the final result in a video format. Ultrasound does not use radiation or X-rays, and there is no additional danger to mother to child with this new technology.

  1. Technology

    • Ultrasound is technique that first came to prominence during World War II, when it provided a means to locate enemy craft and weapons underwater. Today the use of this technology is widespread in almost every area of medicine but is perhaps most well known for its use during pregnancy to view and record the development of a fetus. Ultrasound can be used to examine other parts of the body such as the abdomen, heart and breast.

    4-D Ultrasound

    • The procedure for obtaining a 4-D ultrasound is essentially the same as for a traditional ultrasound but adds the element of the fourth dimension, time, into the result. Previously, parents could only see still images of their growing baby. With the advent of 4-D technology, they essentially can watch a live-action video of their child moving in the womb.

    Examination

    • Performing an ultrasound is a simple procedure. A coating of of odorless, colorless gel is spread over the mother's bare stomach. It helps conduct the sound waves that are generated as part of the exam. The technician uses a benevolent hand-held device, called a transducer, moving it around the stomach area to obtain images of the baby inside. The image is observed on a computer monitor. At various points during the ultrasound, the technician records images that are processed into the final video result.

    Uses

    • Like its predecessor, the newest technology allows the doctor to inspect not only the baby but factors associated with the mother: structural problems with the uterus, placenta abnormalities, bleeding or ovarian tumors. The advantage of an ultrasound at various stages is obvious. Problems that could threaten the health of the unborn baby or mother can be detected and treated in advance, and some parents enjoy being able to see their child move in the womb in live-action video.

Health Pregnancy - Related Articles