Frequently Asked Questions - Elective Prenatal Ultrasound

The questions listed below are the most frequently asked questions about our Elective Prenatal Ultrasound packages. Should you have any questions that are not answered below, please call us at (614) 895-BABY (2229) or drop us an email at info@firstexpressions4d.com.

What is an elective prenatal Ultrasound?
We offer elective 2D, 3D & 4D prenatal Ultrasounds to provide a positive bonding experience for the mother, father and family members with the unborn baby. We feel that realistic surface images provide a connection between the parents and baby that can be beneficial to the whole family. We make no claims that 3-D as used in this examination is performed to better assess the baby for abnormalities. A routine Ultrasound examination should have already been performed to assess the gestational age of the fetus and to evaluate for fetal anomalies as well as the basic components of fetal anatomy recommended for screening.

Does this take the place of an Ultrasound at my doctor’s office?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! Women seeking an elective prenatal Ultrasound with First Expressions must already be receiving treatment with a healthcare provider for prenatal care and have already undergone a medical, diagnostic Ultrasound ordered by their provider to confirm their due date, screen for fetal anomalies, and to look for any other pregnancy related issues. The issues that we are evaluating in the elective prenatal Ultrasound session include a limited diagnostic scan to confirm heartbeat, the number of babies in the pregnancy, the position of the baby, and the placental location. Please note, at no time is this exam to be used in place of a complete diagnostic Ultrasound.

Is it safe? Are there any risks to me, or my baby?
Extensive studies over 30 years have found that Ultrasound has not been shown to cause any harm to mother or baby. Routine scanning of all pregnancies is now normal throughout the United States . In 3D/4D scanning exactly the same type and intensity of Ultrasound is used as with conventional 2D scanning. 3D and 4D Ultrasound both utilize sound waves to look inside the body. The technology is similar to radar. A probe placed on the body emits sound waves into the body, listens for the return echo and generates an image. 4D Ultrasound will be similar to a conventional scan in terms of exposure.

Do I need an appointment?
Yes, appointments are necessary for all of our services.

How long does the 4D Ultrasound take?
Depending on the package you choose, the 4D Ultrasound session will last between 20 and 30 minutes. If you have purchased the Gold or Platinum package, plan on spending up to an hour with us.

How far along should I be before I have a 4D Ultrasound?
If you plan on having only one 4D Ultrasound examination, we would recommend having the examination performed between the 26th and 34th week of the pregnancy. However, excellent images of your baby can be obtained anytime after about 22 weeks of pregnancy. Many mothers obtain more than one 4D Ultrasound and have images to enjoy from their second and third trimesters.

Will I always get a beautiful picture of my baby?
Usually, but not always. Sometimes if the baby is persistently looking face down, i.e. towards your spine it may be difficult to see the baby's face. If this happens, a free repeat scan in one to two weeks will usually succeed because the baby has turned to a favorable position. We make no promises that the images will be similar to those you might have seen elsewhere or even from our clinic, or that we can always meet everyone's expectations. Every baby scans differently, depending on its gestational age, position, amount of fluid, and mother's condition. We promise to make every effort to obtain the best possible images of whatever parts of the baby that can be seen.

Can I bring my family and friends?
Yes. In fact, we encourage our clients to invite family and friends to attend the elective 4D Ultrasound session. This is a joyous and wonderful experience, one that can be shared with your family and loved ones. We can comfortably seat 10 to 12 people, but can accommodate up to 16 to 18 people. Our seating is specifically arranged so that everyone in your party will have an excellent view of our three viewing screens including our large theater style projection screen.

Can I bring children to my ultrasound session?
Children and siblings are always welcome at First Expressions. This is a fun and exciting time for kids and the realistic images of “their” baby help make the pregnancy more real to them.

Are you able to tell the sex of the baby?
Yes, in most cases we can provide an indication of the sex of the baby anytime after 16 weeks. We can't however guarantee that the baby will cooperate during your session. Certain factors such as body tissue content, developmental stage and fetal position all affect the ability to determine sex. If your baby will not let us see gender, a free repeat scan in one to two weeks will usually succeed because the baby has turned to a favorable position.

Is the 4D Ultrasound covered by Insurance?
At this point, insurance does not cover the costs of our Ultrasounds. Since this is an elective procedure and is not intended to be a replacement for your doctor ordered Ultrasound, you will need to pay the cost of this Ultrasound as an out of pocket expense. We accept cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card, and debit cards.

What kind of Ultrasound equipment do you use to perform the 4D Ultrasounds?
We use the state of the art GE Voluson 730 to complete all Ultrasound examinations. The GE Voluson 730 has been seen in GE television commercials and many printed articles from around the world. This machine is the best 2D, 3D and 4D 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 GE Voluson 730 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.

How much does it cost?
We have packages to fit just about anyone’s budget. Please refer to the “Services” section of the website for pricing.