3D ultrasound describes a three-dimensional ultrasound imaging system for a foetus or its structures. The "3D" shortcut is the "three-dimensional" picture. The 3D image results in an image of a foetal system which is dimensional yet stationary. 4D ultrasound is a 3-dimensional representation in real-time, as opposed to 3D ultrasound. 'Fourth D' is 'time,' in the shortcut '4D.' That is why the 4D ultrasound helps you to see actual or three-dimensional foetal motions.

3D/4D ultrasound can be done during breastfeeding at any time and can be a useful complement to traditional 2D (2D) ultrasound. 3D/4D imaging limiting factors (and yes this still fits well with 2D ultrasound) are many factors such as the patient's thickness of his abdomen wall, scan area scars, the placenta location, foetus position, absence of amniotic fluid, etc. Consequently, the quality of the final imagery varies in different patients and 3D or 4D-ultrasound cannot even be done satisfactorily in some cases.

3D/4D ultrasound is also used to show the foetal impact of parents successfully, and is beyond question an incredible emotional experience. Yet they are first and foremost a method for medical diagnosis. In 3D ultrasounds the volumes of different organs or abnormal systems can be determined more precisely. Fetal skeleton can also be visualised best to determine such superficial foetal abnormalities, such as foetal split lip, cancers, neural tube defects etc (of course, these anomalies can also be seen in classical 2D imaging). A few special 3D/4D imaging techniques, such as "STIC" enable comprehensive depiction of heart defects.

It must be stressed that the classical 2D ultrasound is still the primary diagnosis technique in prenatal ultrasonography studies and that no other foetal anomaly requires only 3D or 4D ultra-sonography. The "funny images" of a 12-week-old foetus indicate the possibility of operating with a 3D ultrasound-based volume data set. You can select any view path, show any imagery planes or remove the volume sections of the desired structures which prevent them from viewing. The 3D images may be modified directly in the ultrasound or on the monitor offline.

Is ultrasound safe to my baby?

Ultrasound was used without foetal injury for several years. Ultrasound was carefully tested in the laboratory without reported signs of diagnostic tissue injury. However, we minimise the foetal exposure as much as possible in order to help protect your infant. We support the FDA (food and drug administration) decision to ban "entertainment and keepsake scans" (just video scanning) and the American Institute for Ultrasound in Medicine. This is why 3D/4D ultrasound is only given if it is part of the prenatal diagnosis test.