by uipadmin | Nov 6, 2015 | Uncategorized
Owning an elective ultrasound facility, I often get the age old question “When is the best time to come in for a 3D/4D ultrasound?”
My facetious response: When you’re pregnant.
My professional business response: Well, that depends…
I know, neither of the responses are very helpful right?! But let me elaborate a bit more on my professional business response. The “best” time to come in for a 3D/4D ultrasound really depends on what you want to see. Below is a breakdown on what to expect during an ultrasound depending on how many weeks pregnant you are:
14-18 Weeks: A 3D/4D ultrasound will allow you to see the entire baby in one picture. The baby is very active during this stage of the pregnancy. Therefore, if the baby is awake, you will be able to see all the unfelt fetal movements. You can watch the baby kick, wave, grab its feet, etc… During this time frame you will be able to make out that the baby has two eyes, a nose, and a mouth. However, you will not see the facial composition in elaborate detail, i.e. it will be hard to say “oh baby has dad’s nose” or “mom’s lips.”
19-26 Weeks: The baby’s facial features will be filling out and becoming more prominent. However, there is also a high probability the baby will be breach, which is not ideal for getting good 3D/4D pictures. When babies are breach they usually have hands and feet in the face or are folded in half. Therefore, I generally only recommend coming in during this stage of the pregnancy in special circumstances, such as if you are pregnant with twins, have family in town who won’t be around later in the pregnancy, or if you are worried you won’t make it full-term.
27-40 Weeks: Generally, by this time the baby is head down, which is preferred. 27 to 40 weeks is the best time to get the up-close detailed pictures of the baby’s face in 3D/4D. And yes, I said 40 weeks. Disregard all the rumors you’ve heard or read online about there not being enough room to get good pictures past 32 weeks. This speculation could not be further from the truth. In fact, I frequently encourage late-term scans, because if you have the patience to wait, the detail only gets more amazing the further along you are!
During all stages of the pregnancy the most important element that influences the clarity of pictures is the amount of fluid the mom drinks, the days or even weeks, leading up to the appointment. Staying extra hydrated will ensure there is enough fluid in the amniotic sac to see the baby in elaborate detail.
So there you have it, a very long-winded convoluted answer to a very simple question 🙂
At Mother Nurture Ultrasound we do offer free bring backs if we are not able to get good quality pictures during the first appointment.
Mother Nurture Ultrasound
803 39th Ave SW, Suite D
Puyallup, WA 98373
phone: 253-777-6263
website: www.MotherNurtureUltrasound.com
by uipadmin | Oct 30, 2015 | Uncategorized
How is an Elective Ultrasound Different Than What I Get at My Doctor’s Office?
You’re 18-22 weeks pregnant and the day has finally arrived when you get to see your little miracle during your anatomic ultrasound at the doctor’s office! You squirm in discomfort as you desperately try to hold your overly full bladder you were told was necessary for the appointment. However, the discomfort gets pushed to the back of your mind as you gush over anticipation of getting to find out the sex of the baby, see what he or she looks like, and maybe even catch them sucking their thumb or smiling. You’ve been waiting for this day for what seems like centuries and your expectations are high!
I hate to be the Grinch who stole Christmas, but I am here to tell you your expectations are also unrealistic. Your anatomic ultrasound will not be a “photoshoot” of your baby and you may not even find out the gender.
Here’s what you can expect: during your anatomic ultrasound, the technician or the doctor will be taking measurements and looking for any signs of slower than normal development. They will be checking the vital organs, including the heart and brain, and also the bones such as the spine and skull. Based upon the results of the measurements, the gestational age of the baby will be predicted based upon the average size of other babies scanned during the 20th week of pregnancy. If any abnormalities are found, additional examinations will be scheduled.
Depending on the technician or the doctor, and if you caught them on a “good day,” they may look for the gender of the baby. However, in some cases, the baby may have their legs crossed or be facing away from the abdomen and thus the sexual organs will not be visible. Also, don’t be shocked if you don’t leave with that perfect profile shot that you were hoping to make the new default photo on your Facebook page.
Before you go into prenatal depression, know that all hope isn’t lost! Elective ultrasound facilities like Mother Nurture Ultrasound were established specifically to give you the experience you didn’t get at the doctor’s office. In fact, what we provide is closer to a spa experience/photo shoot of your baby.
Here’s what you can expect:
- A warm and inviting, non-clinical atmosphere
- Bring friends, family, cousins, 2nd cousins, and the in-laws
- Live stream the ultrasound to the friends and family who couldn’t make it or that live out of the state or country
- Kick back, relax on a comfortable bed, and watch the ultrasound on a big screen TV
- Experience the latest 3D/4D and HD technology currently available on the market
- See your baby’s face up close and in amazing detail
- Find out the sex of the baby whether you are 16 weeks along or 39
- Get cool add-ons like heartbeat buddies, CD’s, DVD’s, custom sonography jewelry
- A free 2nd appointment if gender is not visible or quality pictures couldn’t be captured of the baby’s face
- And here’s the BEST part – YOU DON’T NEED A FULL BLADDER….you’re welcome 🙂
It is important to know that elective ultrasounds are non-medical and DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT, replace the anatomic scan you receive at your doctor’s office. Ultrasound technicians at elective facilities will not be specifically looking for abnormalities during the scan. However, if something stands out or doesn’t look right they will contact your doctor.
At Mother Nurture Ultrasound we also require that you are under the care of a physician or midwife before receiving our services.
Mother Nurture Ultrasound
803 39th Ave SW, Suite D
Puyallup, WA 98373
phone: 253-777-6263
website: www.MotherNurtureUltrasound.com
by uipadmin | Oct 22, 2015 | Uncategorized
Gender Guilt
Let’s Face it, Deep Down We All Have a Preference!
As if it was just yesterday, I remember walking into an elective ultrasound studio when I was 16 weeks pregnant with my second child. My husband and I already had a daughter and I so badly wanted a son; a “Mama’s Boy” who I could teach to shoot guns, catch bugs, play rough, and get dirty!
When I laid down on the table I held my breath, and quietly prayed it would be a boy. As soon as the ultrasound tech probed over my stomach, and before she even had a chance to speak, I saw it, and unintentionally shrieked with pure joy “That’s a penis!”
I’ll always remember the excitement I felt that day and the embarrassment on my husband’s face over my outburst, but I often wonder how I would have felt if I was told I was having another girl? How would I have reacted during the appointment? Would I have been disappointment? Would I have cried?
Now that I perform ultrasounds at my own elective facility, Mother Nurture Ultrasound, I witness a wide variety of reactions during gender reveal ultrasounds. These reactions, which I’ve seen from the mom, dad, and even siblings, vary tears of joy to tears of devastation. Whether it’s their first baby or fifth, it seems that almost every expecting family is both anxious and sometimes nervous to find out the sex of the baby.
But why are there such strong feelings about having either a boy or a girl? I mean shouldn’t everyone just be hopeful to have a healthy baby? Not necessarily, let’s be realistic almost all of us have fantasies about what kind of parents we are going to be and what kind of baby we are going to have, it’s just human nature.
Having a preference of the sex of the baby usually stems from preconceived notions about males and females that can come from a variety of sources, including one’s family, personal experience, and stereotypical depictions of men and women in the media.
So how do you handle your emotions when your dreams of buying frilly clothes, braiding hair, eventually helping her plan her wedding, and spending countless hours chatting over mimosas at fancy day spas all get crushed when the ultrasound tech tells you “it’s a boy!” (or vice versa).
- Understand that your feelings are not right or wrong, good or bad, they are just feelings, which you are entitled to have. It’s not the actual baby you are disappointment in, but rather the fantasies that you are forced to let go of. Therefore, don’t be ashamed of your feelings, it’s human nature.
- Don’t be afraid to talk openly about how you feel to friends and family or someone you trust. Most will understand, and most will sympathize and give words of encouragement.
- Don’t fall victim to believing that all those old gender stereotypes will come true, in today’s society it is perfectly acceptable for girls to be rough and tough and boys to be more in-touch with their feminine side.
- Spend time with friends or relatives who have children of the same sex so you can begin to explore the experience ahead of you.
- Finally, realize that any discontented, guilty feelings you have now won’t last forever. During pregnancy, all you know about your baby is his or her sex. Once your little bundle arrives, you’ll have the whole package — which includes a personality and quirky traits. Years down the road you will look back and laugh at yourself and never be able to imagine it any other way!
At Mother Nurture Ultrasound we provide gender determination ultrasounds at 16 weeks. We also offer 3D/4D and the newest HD technology.
Mother Nurture Ultrasound
803 39th Ave SW, Suite D
Puyallup, WA 98373
phone: 253-777-6263
website: www.MotherNurtureUltrasound.com
