3D and 4D Ultrasound – Understand the Difference

Every woman, when she discovers the pregnancy, is anxious to perform the ultrasound and see how her baby is growing and developing . If you can already see minute details about your little body as in a 3D and 4D ultrasound exam, even better.

What is an ultrasound scan?

Ultrasonography, also known as ultrasound or ultrasound, is a diagnostic imaging test that serves to visualize in real time any organ or tissue in the body in rich detail.

Ultrasound indications

  • To diagnose pregnancy or  assess the baby’s development .
  • To diagnose diseases of the uterus, tubes, ovaries;
  • To view the structures of muscles, joints, tendons or
  • To visualize any other structure of the human body.

It is important to say that any and all ultrasound exams must be done in specific laboratories and under medical advice. Only the specialized professional is able to analyze and give the correct diagnosis for the treatment of the most diverse situations.

What is 3D and 4D Ultrasound

The 3D ultrasound exam (three dimensions) is an evolution of the 2D ultrasound method, which transforms traditional images into three-dimensional images , enabling the mother to view a more realistic copy of her baby. These images are like photographs of the baby and have similar quality.

When to Perform 3D Ultrasound?

Both 3D and 4D ultrasound can be done at any time during pregnancy. However, it is important to say that, depending on the gestational age, the image that will be shown may be totally different.

For example, images taken at the first moment of pregnancy will show the baby’s body in a unique way, that is, whole, but they will not be able to capture small details because the baby is still very small.

Already close to the 20th week of gestation it is already possible to obtain some images of the face and its physiognomy , however they will still not be very beautiful, since at this stage the baby is still not so fat.

The best images of the baby’s face are obtained between the 26th and 29th weeks of gestation, because in this period the baby already has a good amount of fat under the skin and still has enough liquid (which is very important for the formation of clear images).

After the 30th week we can possibly get good images, however, getting them is very difficult because the space inside the uterus ends up becoming small and the face is mostly hidden. For this reason, the recommendation is that the examination is planned between the 26th and 29th weeks of pregnancy.

What is 4D ultrasound?

Following the same method as the 3D ultrasound, the 3D ultrasound generates three-dimensional images, however it counts time as the fourth dimension. It is possible to have perfection and realism, in small details of the face, making the parents even take a chance on who the baby will look like.

All other parts of the body are observed clearly , in addition to the movements. They are 3D images with real-time movements. Because of the way the baby moves in this examination, the doctor is able to better observe the structures of the baby’s formation, such as, for example, heart, spine, limb movements , among others.

Difference from 3D and 4D Ultrasound to conventional

The difference between this technique and the common ultrasound is the way in which the device divides and shows the captured images, because in the traditional method it is possible to see only the bones and internal organs of the baby. In 3D and 4D ultrasound exams, it is possible to check the layer of skin that covers the baby.

What is the Difference between 3D and 4D Ultrasound?

As stated above, the way the images are divided facilitating the study by the specialist is a difference between the two techniques and in addition, the most striking difference is that while 3D produces static images, but with better quality, 4D ultrasound allows visualization moving images , but because of the rapid and continuous capture of these images the quality of them becomes a little lower.

Is it possible that the image is not clear?

There are some factors that make the image capture not clear. Are they:

  • Baby position – Babies are usually leaning against the uterine wall making it difficult to capture images. Another reason for bad image is if the baby is facing the mother’s back, so it is not possible to get an image of the baby’s face.
  • Coloring and structure of the amniotic fluid – We know that when the baby has its digestive system developed, it uses the amniotic fluid to train. Swallowing and urinating. At any given time, this liquid may contain some particles that affect its color. The ideal for obtaining clear images is that it remains dark because in contrast to the baby’s skin it creates the necessary technical conditions for the reconstruction of the images
  • Amniotic fluid volume – When the amniotic fluid volume is decreased, it may be impossible to capture a good image

3D and 4D ultrasound values

Usually the two methods have similar prices that vary between R $ 200.00 to R $ 600.00, but believe me, there are clinics that charge up to R $ 1000.00. Because it is a high value, the vast majority of the agreements do not cover this type of technique.

Where to do it

There are specialized clinics to perform these specialized tests and also in some hospitals in large cities. With the modernity of equipment, it is no longer difficult to find where to perform.

Can I record 3D and 4D ultrasound?

Yes. In general, clinics give this option for recording DVDs with the images captured during the 3D and 4D ultrasound exam. For that, just take the DVD or in many of them the recording is already included in the price.

Under favorable conditions it can be quick and easy to get sharp images. In unfavorable situations the ideal is that the exam does not exceed 20 minutes . Because with the movement in the abdomen, the baby acts instinctively covering the face with his hands or changing positions, turning towards the mother’s spine.

Information that appears on ultrasound

Basically at the top of the screen are the personal information , date and time, information about the place where the exam is being carried out, the name of the specialist. From the technical information, we can observe the location where the device is positioned, color variations indicate solid tissues such as bones that usually appear white. The tissues that are considered of liquid structure like the uterus for example keep the color darker.

The baby’s measurements are also shown on the screen. Below the acronyms and what they mean:

CCN – This acronym means skull length buttocks. This measurement made on the first ultrasound helps to determine the time of pregnancy

TN –  The measurement of nuchal translucency, which is an analysis of the length of the baby’s neck region right at the beginning of pregnancy, and which can detect chromosomal diseases such as Down’s Syndrome.

CF  – It is the measurement of the length of the femur, the largest bone in the body, which helps to accompany the growth of the baby.

CA  – Acronym for abdominal circumference. This measure is extremely important at the end of  pregnancy , as it helps to determine the baby’s weight.

With all this information it is much easier to choose the type of exam you want to take! Good luck!!

See also: Ultrasound – Questions and Answers

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My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.

Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.

Dr. Alexis Hart

My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.

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