We follow the guidelines of DFMS and ISUOG!
What are 2D and 3D/4D Scans?
🔹 2D scanning shows two-dimensional images of the fetus. 2D scans are very suitable for fetal diagnostics because you look ‘into’ the body. We start all scans with a 2D scan.
🔹 3D scanning provides three-dimensional images where you can see the baby’s unique features such as nose, lips and hands.
🔹 4D scanning is 3D images in motion – like in a movie. Here you can, for example, see your baby smile, yawn or suck on his fingers.
📅 When is 3D/4D best?
The best time is between weeks 27-29 (weeks 23-26 for twins). This is when there is the most amniotic fluid and the baby is not yet too deep in the pelvis. After week 32, the image quality may decrease because the amniotic fluid is displaced.
What is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound is high-frequency sound waves that create images of the fetus and uterus. Ultrasound is not detectable to the human ear. A transducer is placed on the abdomen, and the echoes that occur are converted into detailed images on the screen.
👶 With Doppler scanning, we can measure blood flow and resistance in vessels – for example, in the umbilical cord.
🔒 Ultrasound is considered completely harmless for both mother and child when the operator is well-trained. At our clinic, all scans are performed by experienced and specially trained sonographers, so you are in safe hands.
Limitations of Ultrasound Examinations
Sometimes the position of the fetus can make it difficult to get a clear image. In such cases, we can push lightly on the outside of the abdomen or ask you to move a little so that the fetus changes position. This is completely harmless for the baby, who is safely surrounded by amniotic fluid and tissue.
The quality of the image depends on whether there is amniotic fluid in front of the part of the fetus that we are going to examine.
It may be more difficult to get good images if:
The amniotic fluid is reduced
The fetus is lying against the uterine wall or with its face towards the mother’s back
There are fibroids in the uterus
The mother has a high BMI
In the vast majority of cases, however, we can still complete the scan with a good result.
Ultrasound provides valuable insight into the growth and health of the fetus – but it is important to know that ultrasound can never guarantee with 100% certainty that the baby is healthy.
