ANTENATAL: Is 3D/4D ultrasound scan safe?

So…. Is the 3D or 4D scans to see your baby, a safe thing to do?

“HAVE YOU HAD A 2D? 3D? 4D? (WOW) SCAN FOR YOUR BABY DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?” “Have you been considering a 3D or a 4D sonogram for your little cutie pie? Why do you need it for? Keepsake? Or is it because it’s the latest thing in antenatal services?

Here what you may want to know about ultrasounds and if it can help in clearing the doubts you have on these sonograms…

1. What’s the difference between 2D, 3D and 4D ultrasounds?

2. Why you should get an ultrasound during your pregnancy?

Women with low-risk, complication-free pregnancies: Typically have at least one ultrasound during the whole pregnancy.

Older moms and those with complications: Should have more frequent ultrasounds.

Reasons ultrasounds in general are necessary during pregnancy, (depending on trimester):

• Confirming your estimated due date (EDD)
• Look at baby’s heartbeat
• Ensure the pregnancy isn't ectopic (in the Fallopian tubes) and is in the uterus
• Confirming the number of babies in utero
• Ensuring baby’s development is consistent
• Checking and measuring baby's major organs
• Measuring the size of baby
• Examine amniotic fluid levels
• Checking on birth defects
• Find out baby’s gender
• Giving parents a look at baby and providing reassurance that all is going as it should be in the pregnancy

3. Are these ultrasounds safe?

Don’t we all, (new mommies and even experienced mommies) count down our days to our next ultrasound? It is just exciting isn’t it? In fact, for some it’s like a family occasion…that teary moment and for most of us, it can be a confused moment too, as to what exactly are we looking at? Is it the head? The knee? The nose?

While there are no known risks of ultrasounds for pregnant women, they should be used carefully and only for medical purposes. Basically, don’t do it every other day….

Experts (including ACOG and the FDA) say that ultrasounds should only be performed by a qualified medical professional when the practitioner deems them necessary for medical reasons.

If you’re considering getting any type of ultrasound outside of a medical setting (which is unadvisable), check with your practitioner first or any reproductive health clinic in Kuala Lumpur.

Also, what’s more important is taking your vitamins & supplements during your pregnancy!