3D / 4D 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 on one of our studios on our contact page.

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.

Is it safe? Are there any risks to me, or my baby?

Extensive studies for 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 Australia. In 3D/4D scanning exactly the same type and intensity of ultrasound is used as with conventional 2D scanning. 3D and 4D Ultrasound both utilizes 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.

What is the optimal time of the pregnancy to have a 3D/4D Ultrasound?

If you plan on having only one 3D/4D ultrasound examination, we would recommend having the ultrasound performed between the 30th and 38th week of the pregnancy. However, excellent images of your baby can be obtained anytime from 16 weeks of pregnancy. Due to us specialising in this field and after many years of perfecting this industry we have found that the best stages are between 16-25 weeks(for gender and body images) and 30-38 weeks (for best face images and interaction, seeing smiles, and responding to voices). Inbetween these times often babies are breech or transverse which can result in you not being able to see your babys face. Many mothers obtain more than one 3D/4D ultrasound and have images to enjoy from their second and third trimesters. Please ask about our journey packages if you would like to capture memories of your baby in different stages.

Music of Choice?

Miracle Me supplies some music however, if you would like to personalise your DVD please bring in a CD with 7 tracks of your choice (on the one CD). Please ensure that the recording of your music is done in audio and can be played in a Cd player.

Do I need a full bladder?

No, however we do need you to be WELL hydrated as this will giver you clearer images. You will need to drink at least 1 litre of water each day before your appointment as this will clear out your amniotic fluid again which will give you clearer images. It is best to start doing this 1-2 weeks before your booked appointment. 

Do i need to make an appointment?

Yes, appointments are necessary for all of our services. Click here to contact us.

How long does the 4D Ultrasound take?

Depending on the package you choose, the 4D ultrasound session will last between 15 to 40 minutes.

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 repeat scan on another day (at no extra charge) 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. (Seating for 8 people)

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. 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.

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, and debit cards. Sorry no personal checks or Amex.

What kind of Ultrasound equipment do you use to perform the 4D Ultrasounds?

We use the state of the art GE Voluson 730 Expert/Pro to complete all ultrasound examinations. The GE Voluson 730 Expert/Pro 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. When comparing images produced by various facilities, you will find the quality of images do not compare to our GE Voluson. Many hospitals use this exact model as the quality of images is second to none, come and see it for yourself.

What is Real-Time, 4D Live-Motion Imaging?

Real Time 4D Live-Motion Imaging is the continuous three-dimensional scanning of the baby with the option of simultaneous 2D Imaging. This revolutionary quad-beam technology, which obtains 3D images in Real-Time up to 25 volumes per second, goes beyond the boundaries of traditional ultrasound and opens the 4th dimension of Real-Time so that you can see your baby moving in 3D. 

How much does it cost?

We have ultrasound packages to fit just about anyone's budget. Please refer to our Ultrasound Pricing page for more information on our available 3D/4D ultrasound packages.

Does this take the place of an Ultrasound at my doctor's office?

ABSOLUTELY NOT! Women seeking an elective prenatal ultrasound with our facility 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 and the position of the baby. Please note, at no time is this exam to be used in place of a complete diagnostic ultrasound.

Please note that our 3D ultrasounds and 4D ultrasounds can only be performed on pregnant women who are under the care of a physician and have already had a diagnostic ultrasound. Please call our 3D / 4D facility on should you have any questions regarding 3D or 4D ultrasounds.

* Miracle Me 3D/4D Ultrasound is an ELECTIVE ultrasound imaging facility.

We do not perform medical ultrasounds.