Gender Determination at only 9 weeks

Gender Determination at only 9 weeks

During a pregnancy finding out the sex of the baby is usually the most exciting part for expecting parents. In fact, about 75% of the ultrasounds we perform at Mother Nurture Ultrasound are early gender determination scans.

In the 1980’s and 1990’s before elective ultrasound became a “thing,” couples didn’t usually find out the sex until their anatomy scan around 20 weeks in the pregnancy. However, over the years, technology has evolved, and ultrasound machines can now produce crystal clear imaging that allow techs to see the if the baby is a boy or a girl much earlier.

Most elective 3D/4D ultrasound clinics start gender determination between 13-16 weeks. Which is usually just fine for most couples. But what about the rest who want to find out even earlier? What about the millennials and generation Z who wanted to know the gender before the baby was conceived?!

Luckily technology is still moving forward at the pace of a freight train, and once again a new solution for early gender determination has hit the market! And guess who is offering it? That’s right, none other than Mother Nurture Ultrasound.

What if I told you we could tell you with 100% accuracy, the sex of your baby as early as 9 weeks! That’s a game-changer right?! An entire 4 weeks earlier than what we were previously offering at 13 weeks.

We are now offering a DNA blood test within our office called SneakPeek Clinical. Here’s how it works: You come in for a quick 5 minute blood draw, which is performed by a licensed phlebotomist. We overnight the blood sample to a lab and within 24-48 hours they email you the results if you having a boy or girl.

The test is 100% accurate! We are currently the only facility in the state offering this service. To learn more about SneakPeek Clinical visit our webpage:

https://mothernurtureultrasound.com/dna-test/

 

Mother Nurture Ultrasound
803 39th Ave SW, Suite D
Puyallup, WA 98373

12505 Bel Red Road
Bellevue, WA 98005

phone: 253-777-6263
website: www.MotherNurtureUltrasound.com

 

How to Get the Best Ultrasound Photos

How to Get the Best Ultrasound Photos

If you’re pregnant, you’ve probably already drooled over the dreamy 3D ultrasound photos that are constantly popping up on your Facebook feed, Instagram and in local mommy groups. In the last 4-5 years elective ultrasound has become increasingly popular as more mothers are wanting to see their baby’s face before he/she is born. And thanks to recent advances in technology, ultrasound machines can render 3D and 4D imaging that is more lifelike than ever before.

But, before you get your hopes up that you’ll get those perfect full face 3D photos like your best friend, it’s important to know that no two expecting mothers are created equal; and neither are their wombs.

There are SEVERAL factors that influence the clarity of ultrasound photos. I am going to list the top 5 in order of importance below:

  1. The Location of the Placenta:

Your placenta is the organ that develops inside your uterus during pregnancy that provides oxygen and nutrients to your growing baby. The placenta is attached to the uterine wall either in the front (called an anterior placenta), or in the back (a posterior placenta).

If you have an anterior placenta, it will be over the top of baby’s face, making it harder to get clear photos. Therefore, the recommended timeframe to get 3D/4D imaging is at 28-34 weeks, before baby gets too big and squished into the placenta. If your placenta is posterior, it will be under the baby, and you can wait until 34-38 weeks to have your ultrasound.

Placenta-Location

If you don’t know where your placenta is located, you can email us an ultrasound picture from your anatomy scan, and we can tell you.

  1. The amount of amniotic fluid:

The more fluid present in the amniotic sac, the clearer the 3D/4D imaging will be. Higher fluid levels are especially important if you have an anterior placenta because we need to have fluid between baby’s face and the placenta to be able to get images. To make sure you have fluid in the amniotic sac, it is recommended that you drink 65 to 80 ounces of water a day, every day, the week leading up to your ultrasound appointment.

  1. The position of the baby:

It is ideal that your baby is head down (meaning the head is down low near your cervix). This is the position baby should be in before you go into labor. This position also yields the best 3D/4D imaging. The baby’s face should also be pointing upwards towards your stomach. If baby is looking towards your spine it would be impossible to get images. Babies in the breach position are also harder to get images of, especially with an anterior placenta.

  1. The Make and Model of the Ultrasond Machine

Just like any other technology, the newer more modern devices and equipment produce better quality imaging. There are several major manufacturers of ultrasound machines. The leading brands are Samsung and GE. These companies offer the latest cutting-edge 3D/4D and high definition ultrasound technology. Ultrasound facilities that use newer, updated machines can provide you with better imaging of your baby.

  1. The Experience of the Sonographer

Learning to do ultrasounds is not an easy endeavor. Extensive professional training and several years of hands on practice is required to gain the experience necessary to acquire clear 3D/4D imaging. Additionally, the ultrasound tech should be knowledgeable about the tricks to get baby in the right position for photos. You’ll want to choose a facility that has an experienced tech who has performed, not just hundreds, but thousands of ultrasounds.


There are additional factors that contribute to image clarity such as the location of the umbilical cords, the body fat content of the expectant mother, and if the baby has hands and or feet up in front of he face during the scan.

At Mother Nurture Ultrasound we are dedicated to ensuring we provide the best 3D/4D imaging for ALL our clients. When you call to book your appointment we’ll ask you a few quick questions to make sure we get you in at the right time-frame to get the best images. We have Samsung’s latest 3D/4D and High definition technology and ultrasound techs that have performed over 10,000 scans. We guarantee high quality pictures, meaning if we can’t get good images at your first appointment, we offer a free bring back to try again.

Mother Nurture Ultrasound
803 39th Ave SW, Suite D
Puyallup, WA 98373

12505 Bel Red Road
Bellevue, WA 98005

phone: 253-777-6263
website: www.MotherNurtureUltrasound.com

How to prep for your elective ultrasound

How to prep for your elective ultrasound

You just made an appointment for an elective ultrasound and you are soooooo excited to see your baby! You tell all your friends and family, announce your appointment date and time to all your Facebook friends, and gloat about the pictures and videos to come! During all the excitement and anxiousness, sometimes it’s easy to forget a few important things you need to do to prepare for the appointment. Whether you are coming in for a gender determination ultrasound, or just to get some great shots of your baby’s face, here are some tips we recommend to prepare for the appointment:

 

1. Plan your appointment date/time around when your baby is most active
When a baby is awake and moving, it makes the ultrasound more interesting. You will have a better chance of catching those super cute facial expressions, the baby opening their eyes (yes they do that in the womb too!), and it will make it easier to get the baby to put hands or feet down if they are blocking the face or gender.

 

2. Stay EXTRA hydrated the week leading up to the appointment
The recommended daily fluid intake when pregnant is 64-84 ounces. It is important to drink at least this amount, if not more, to make sure there is sufficient fluid in the amniotic sac. This will help with the clarity of the photos.

 

3. Eat or drink something with sugar right before your appointment
Sometimes this will help make sure baby is active and moving during the ultrasound.

 

4. Don’t wear a dress for the appointment
Since the ultrasound will be transabdominal (over the stomach), if you wear a dress that has to be pulled up you will be leaving your entire bottom half exposed (don’t worry though, we can supply a blanket for extra coverage).

 

5. Empty your bladder before the appointment
While it is extremely important to stay hydrated the days leading up to the appointment, you do not need to have a full bladder for the scan itself. Infact, it’s actually better if you use the restroom before hand and can sometimes free up room, to get better photos of the baby.

 

6. Bring proof of prenatal care
At Mother Nurture Ultrasound and most other elective facilities, we require that you show proof you are under the care of a doctor or midwife for the pregnancy. You can bring in a picture from a past ultrasound, an appointment reminder, or an actual letter from your doctor.

 

7. Invite friends and family
At Mother Nurture Ultrasound we have a huge room to accommodate all your guests. We can comfortably seat up to 10 but allow you to bring as many as you’d like. Children of all ages are welcome as well. For friends and family who couldn’t attend we provide a live streaming service for an additional $12.95 which allows someone to watch your ultrasound live from a computer or phone anywhere in the world!

 

8. BE EXCITED!
You’re about to get to see what your baby looks like and watch it move inside of you, that’s exciting! Your ultrasound will be a pre-birth bonding experience you will never forget!

 

Mother Nurture Ultrasound
803 39th Ave SW, Suite D
Puyallup, WA 98373

phone: 253-777-6263
website: www.MotherNurtureUltrasound.com
 

When Will I Feel My Baby Move?

When Will I Feel My Baby Move?

Whether it is your first pregnancy or your fifth, every expecting mother looks forward to the moment they get to feel the baby move for the first time. I remember the awkward sensation with my first pregnancy when I couldn’t determine if the subtle feelings were gas bubbles from the Mexican food I just ate, or the little human inside me kicking to let me know she didn’t appreciate the spicy food.

I was 19 weeks along when I could finally recognize the difference between the digestion of my last meal and my baby kicking and turning in the womb. However, when my best friend was pregnant she said she felt her baby as early as 16 weeks! How is this possible?

The truth is, there is no exact time when you will feel the baby move, it is different for everyone and is influenced by a number of factors. Perhaps the biggest factor is the location of your placenta. It can either be anterior, meaning it is along the front of the uterus, or posterior, which is along the back of the uterus. You can also have a fundal placenta which means it lies on the top rounded part of your uterus, however, this is not as common.

Placenta Location

Women with an anterior placenta tend to feel the baby move later in the pregnancy because the placenta acts as a barrier between the top of the stomach and the baby’s kicking feet. Sometimes an anterior placenta also makes it more difficult to find the baby’s heartbeat with a Doppler device. Women with a posterior placenta usually feel the baby earlier in the pregnancy since it is not acting as barrier between baby and the top of the mom’s stomach.

Other factors that influence when you may feel the baby move are the size of the baby, size of the mother (heavier set women may not feel the baby as early), and how “in-tune” you are with recognizing what may just be gas bubbles, or is actually your baby, and if it’s your first pregnancy.

At Mother Nurture Ultrasound we will be able to show you your placenta during the ultrasound and tell you whether it is anterior, posterior, or fundal.

Mother Nurture Ultrasound
803 39th Ave SW, Suite D
Puyallup, WA 98373

phone: 253-777-6263
website: www.MotherNurtureUltrasound.com
 

What is High Definition Ultrasound?

What is High Definition Ultrasound?

In today’s world technology is changing and advancing faster than most of us can keep up with. Seems like only yesterday I was listening to my walk-man on my way to school and now I’m live streaming music through my cell phone at the touch of a button! The medical industry is no different, and each year they are coming out with more advanced, high tech equipment, allowing us to see and understand the human body like never before.

Within the ultrasound industry there have been some major cutting edge advancements in just the past few years. GE and Samsung, the two leaders in the field, both released almost identical versions of a technology for prenatal ultrasound that allows expecting mothers to see their baby in amazingly crisp, clear detail. GE trademarked their version HD LIVE! ™ and Samsung’s is known as Feto Realistic View™. In lament terms, the improved image quality is comparable to the newer technologies available on the consumer market, such as high definition TV’s.

Like every expecting mother, of course you want the best experience seeing your unborn baby. So you’re probably wondering where you can find this new technology and if it costs more. Most doctor’s offices/ medical facilities have been slow to upgrade, but many elective ultrasound studios across the country have started to. Currently, there are only two facilities in the state of Washington that offer the new technology. You guessed it; Mother Nurture Ultrasound is one of them! We are the only facility in Pierce County and surrounding area that offers the Feto Realistic View™ by Samsung.

Be wary of facilities who say they offer high definition images. Some use the term “high definition” loosely in order to deceive consumers in believing they actually have the new technology by GE and Samsung (see example below).

Prenatal-Universe-Photo

When inquiring, instead of asking about “high definition technology”, specifically ask if they have HD LIVE!™ or Feto Realistic View™

An easy way to tell is by looking at the facility’s ultrasound photos. The old technology will look more yellowish or golden in color and be more grainy looking and less clear. The newer technology is in a pinkish skin tone color and the detail will be more finite.

At Mother Nurture Ultrasound we offer the Feto Realistic View™ in all of our 3D/4D packages at no additional charge.

Mother Nurture Ultrasound
803 39th Ave SW, Suite D
Puyallup, WA 98373

phone: 253-777-6263
website: www.MotherNurtureUltrasound.com
 

What’s the Difference Between a 3D and 4D Ultrasound?

What’s the Difference Between a 3D and 4D Ultrasound?

I often have people ask me about the differences among all the types of ultrasounds; specifically between 3D and 4D. And recently, the new addition of the HD technology has confused people even more. In this blog I am going to clear up all the confusion. Below are some lament term definitions 2D, 3D, 4D and HD ultrasound:

2D: This is the traditional ultrasound technology like what you receive at your doctor’s office. In 2D, high frequency, non-ionized sound waves are sent and received in just one plane. The sound waves reflect back a black and white image of the baby. During medical ultrasounds, 2D is commonly used to evaluate fetal anatomy and morphology. At elective facilities we use 2D technology to perform gender determination.

3D: As technology in the medical field advanced, 3D ultrasound was developed using image volume data acquisition. 3D technology utilizes the same high frequency sound waves as 2D and is just as safe to use. The sound waves create reflections from different angles to each other; the ultrasound machine then integrates these reflections with its high-speed computing software, resulting in a 3-dimensional image. 3D technology is used at elective facilities to give you a life-like view of your baby and see he/she in finite detail.

4D: This is simply 3D with the addition of real time. Meaning while the ultrasound is being performed and you are watching your baby LIVE, the real time is considered the 4th dimension.

HD: HD stands for “High Definition” and it’s the same concept as other HD technology on the market; offering a more crisp, clear, defined image. The ultrasound system gathers much more information from the 3D/4D data than previous versions, rendering highly detailed images of the baby. Some elective facilities have even referred to this as “5D” technology.

At Mother Nurture Ultrasound we provide 2D, 3D/4D, and the newest HD technology available on the market.

Mother Nurture Ultrasound
803 39th Ave SW, Suite D
Puyallup, WA 98373

phone: 253-777-6263
website: www.MotherNurtureUltrasound.com