What makes this truly an amazing experience is that it is all happening months before the baby is born—while baby is still in the womb!

This is the miracle of 3D/4D ultrasound. 3D/4D ultrasounds offer parents the opportunity to see their babies well before their birthday, creating an incredibly intimate bonding experience.

It is one thing to feel your baby move but quite another to see that those movements are not only feet kicking; but also hands waving, stretching, yawning, and even thumb sucking! Studies have shown a profoundly positive impact on parents.

Visualization of the baby enables an unparalleled bonding experience. This fetal visualization can help in alleviating maternal anxiety and depression as well as enabling the fathers to feel more connected to the pregnancy, strengthening their bond with their child.

How does it work??

2D ultrasound works by “listening” to sound waves in a single plane. The ultrasound is directed out and reflected back again. An ultrasound is the interpretation of these reflected sound waves to form a visualization of the baby.

In 3D ultrasound, the same ultrasound used in traditional 2D is emitted—this time at multiple angles. 3D ultrasound images are created by an algorithmic process commonly know as “surface rendering”.

These multiple reflections are interpreted through sophisticated software, and an accurate 3D image of the baby is instantly created. These amazing rendered images are displayed with incredible surface detail which delineates both body and facial features.

4D ultrasound is captured in the same manner as 3D ultrasound—but the rendering occurs many times per second. Instead of looking at a single still image (3D), you are now able to view real-time “video” of the baby in the womb (4D).

In this case, that 4th Dimension is “time”.

It is also important to note here that 3D/4D ultrasound is NOT a product of increased power levels. The levels are the same as with a traditional 2D scan.

As with any other emerging technology, there will always be questions regarding exposure, safety, and other medical concerns. Extensive studies over the last 30+ years have found that ultrasound has not been shown to cause any harm to mother or baby.

Ultrasound equipment used to obtain these amazing 3D and 4D images are the very same devices being utilized in hospitals and physicians offices throughout the country. And it’s the FDA that sets the standard level for energy to be used for various scans, including 3D/4D.

The Positive Impacts of Bonding

Expectant parents everywhere are opting for elective 4D ultrasounds—believing it will have a positive impact on their pregnancy. Mothers tend to improve their diets and eliminate harmful behaviors such as smoking or drinking.

Other ultrasound benefits can include increased paternal involvement, family support, and empathy. Some feel it may even help siblings share in the experience and bond with their new brother or sister.

However, always keep in mind that an elective ultrasound should only be used to complement the diagnostic ultrasounds prescribed by your physician. Elective ultrasounds should never be used as a replacement for prenatal care.

Some physicians are understandably concerned that mothers will use an elective ultrasound in lieu of the diagnostic ultrasound prescribed by their physicians. This is why it is imperative that a physician-ordered, full anatomical ultrasound study should always be the prerequisite to confirm due date, screen for fetal anomalies and identify any other potential prenatal issues.

The parents-to-be can then utilize this elective session as an insightful, bonding experience.

Finding a Responsible 3D/4D Provider

Although there may be plenty of entertaining aspects to 3D/4D ultrasound, safety and professionalism should always remain paramount when choosing a provider.

A responsible ultrasound provider will require proof that the client is seeing a healthcare provider for prenatal care during her pregnancy. The provider should always use the system’s obstetric mode to keep well within the FDA-established levels for frequency and power for prenatal use.

Remember that word of mouth is usually the best method of referral amongst expectant mothers. So do your homework and ask around.

The most rewarding 3D/4D ultrasound experience will be the culmination of a comfortable and inviting facility, the finest equipment, and a professional, experience, and courteous staff whose primary focus is on you, your experienced and, (of course) your baby.

 Editorial provided by Henriette Clark, RDMS, of InSight Imaging in Pittsburgh, and Joseph J Psiuk, B.S. EE/CE, of Innerview Ultrasound in Malvern, PA.

The Lamaze method, developed by the French obstetrician Ferdinand Lamaze, has been used in the United States since the late ’50s and remains one of the most commonly taught types of childbirth classes. In the early days, the focus was on using controlled breathing techniques to cope with labor. But the vision of Lamaze educators has expanded a lot since then.

According to Lamaze International, the goal of Lamaze classes is to “increase women’s confidence in their ability to give birth.” Toward that end, women learn a variety of simple coping strategies, of which breathing is only one. The classes aim to help women “learn how to respond to pain in ways that both facilitate labor and increase comfort.”

The Lamaze philosophy of birth stipulates that “birth is normal, natural, and healthy” and that “women have a right to give birth free from routine medical interventions.” But Lamaze also educates women so that when interventions are needed, or pain relief medication is desired, women are able to give true informed consent.

What should I expect in a Lamaze course?

The typical Lamaze class consists of at least 10 hours of instruction and includes no more than 12 couples. Here’s what the class covers:

• Normal labor and birth (using videos of real births) and the early postpartum period
• How to be active and informed participants during the birth
• Focused breathing techniques for labor
• Other relaxation techniques and natural strategies to help you work with labor pain, such as massage, walking, position changes, and hydrotherapy
• Tips to help your partner encourage and support you during labor
• The value of one-on-one professional support during labor
• How to communicate with your healthcare team so your needs are met
• Complications that could arise during labor and birth, and interventions that might be medically necessary
• Epidurals and other options for managing pain with medication
• Early interaction with your baby
• Breastfeeding

Written by www.babycenter.com

We are very close to these towns:

Armonk, Ardsley, Bedford, Briarcliff, Bronxville, Chappaqua, Crestwood, Croton-on-Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Eastchester, Elsmford, Greenburgh, Harrison, Hartsdale, Hastings-on-Hudson, Hawthorne, Irvington, Katonah, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Millwood, Mohegan Lake, Mount Kisco, Mount Vernon, Mount Pleasant, New Rochelle, Ossining, Peekskill, Pelham, Pleasantville, Port Chester, Puchase, Rye, Rye Brook, Scarborough, Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, Tuckahoe, Thornwood, Valhalla, West Harrison, White Plains, Yonkers, Yorktown and The Bronx.  We are so located close to Rockland County, NY.

Q. What is an elective prenatal ultrasound?
A. We offer elective 2D, 3D & 4D prenatal ultrasounds to provide a proactive, positive bonding experience for the mother, father and family members with the unborn baby. Realistic surface images provide a connection between the parents and baby that can be beneficial to the whole family. A medical, diagnostic ultrasound 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.
Q. Does this take the place of an ultrasound at my doctor’s office?
A. ABSOLUTELY NOT! Women seeking an elective prenatal ultrasound at Beautiful Beginnings Motherhood Center 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. Your imaging session at Beautiful Beginnings Motherhood Center is strictly an elective ultrasound. Please note, at no time is this elective experience to be confused with, or used in place of, a diagnostic ultrasound.
Q. Is it safe? Are there any risks to me, or my baby?
A. Extensive studies conducted over 35 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 the United States . These routine scans would be considered highly irresponsible if there were even a small risk to mother or baby. In 3D/4D scanning, exactly the same type and intensity of ultrasound is used as with conventional 2D scanning. 3D and 4D Ultrasound both utilize 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. 3D/4D ultrasound will be similar to a conventional scan in terms of sound exposure.
Q. Do I need an appointment?
A. Yes, appointments are necessary for all of our services.
We require 24 hour notice to cancel an appointment. We will not reschedule your appointment without a 24 hour notice.
Q. How long does the 3D/4D ultrasound take?
A. Depending on the package you choose, the 3D/4D ultrasound session will last between 15 and 30 minutes. How far along should I be before I have a 3D/4D ultrasound? If you plan on having only one 3D/4D ultrasound session, we would recommend having the ultrasound performed between the 25th and 34th week of the pregnancy.

  
Q. Will I always get a beautiful picture of my baby?
A. Usually, but not always. Sometimes if the baby is looking face down, i.e. towards your spine, it may be difficult to see the baby’s face. Other factors that can influence the images are gestational age, amount of amniotic fluid, and maternal obesity. We will be happy to discuss with you our policies and your options should your scan be difficult to obtain.

Q. Can I bring my family and friends?
A. Yes. In fact, we encourage our clients to invite family and friends to attend the elective 3D/4D ultrasound session. This is a joyous and wonderful experience, one that can be shared with your family and loved ones.

Q. Are you able to tell the sex of the baby?
A. 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.

Written by Beautiful Beginnings Motherhood Center, Scarsdale, Westchester County, NY

Sneak A Peek 3D/4D Imaging

United States of America (Press Release) December 17, 2007 –

performed, while her husband, SPC Shawn Branson will be serving his country in Iraq. Thanks to cutting-edge technology, however, he will not miss a beat of the upcoming ultrasound. He will actually be able to see his baby boy for the very first time – live- from a computer in Baghdad as it is being performed on his wife in Maryland.