Questions Related To Four Dimensional Ultrasound
Questions Related To Four Dimensional Ultrasound — part of ultrasound imaging at Dr. Najeeb Layyous's clinic in Amman.
In short: This page answers common questions about four-dimensional ultrasound: how to prepare for the examination, whether it is safe, how long it takes and what it can show.
1- Is there special arrangements before the examination?
No special arrangements expect for taking an appointment, sometimes she may need to have full bladder, in this case she is asked to drink 4cups of water or juice and wait for a while before the examination.
2- Is it a safe procedure? How long does it take?
Yes. When done for a medical reason by trained staff, ultrasound has no proven harmful effects on mother or baby. As international societies (ISUOG, AIUM) advise, we keep the scanning time and energy as low as possible, so 3D/4D images are taken as part of a medical scan and not as a long session for photos only. The examination usually takes 20-40 minutes.
3- In which cases of pregnancy it is considered very important?
What is happening with you and your baby at this time is described in our article on the fifth month of pregnancy.
- Old maternal age.
- Previous baby with congenital anomalies.
- An abnormal (high-risk) result on a screening blood test, such as the combined test or cell-free DNA.
- Family history of congenital anomalies.
- Maternal exposure to affecting factors such as, taking certain medications or poisonous substances.
4- What is the appropriate time for this procedure?
The ideal thing is to do this three times during pregnancy:
- In the first trimester:
To check if there are certain congenital anomalies such as, anencephaly, neural tube defects or anomalies related to abdominal wall and limbs.
This first-trimester scan is best done between 11 and 14 weeks, when the nuchal translucency can also be measured as part of screening for Down syndrome.
- In the second trimester:
To have an idea with more details for the fetus and check his internal organs and their functions, and the most important of which is the heart.
- In the third and last trimester:
To have more clear idea and observe some problems that may appear during this period such as, growth and development, muscle coordination, fetal movement and if there is any growth retardation.
If the pregnant woman wants to have this examination only once, she is advised to do it between 18 and 22 weeks (the detailed anomaly scan), when the doctor can check most of the details, in addition, she can recognize some details of the fetus.
It should be mentioned here that the most beautiful photos for the baby is between 26-30 weeks but there is no guarantee to have beautiful ones especially for the face.
5- What is the main goal from this examination?
It is to check on fetal wellbeing, by examining most of fetal organs like: heart, kidneys, liver, stomach and other details that the mother may not understand its importance.
It has a role also in social relationship and bonding between the mother and the fetus, but taking photos for his face is something that you can’t control because it depends completely on fetal position which can’t be controlled.
6- Is the 4-D scan an alternative for amniocentesis?
No, it is not an alternative.
7- Is there a guarantee to have fetal photos exactly like the ones on our web site?
Fetal photos depend on many factors:
First: Fetal position inside the uterus.
Second: Fetal age.
Third: The amounts of liquor around the fetus, good amounts are required to have clear photos.
Fourth: The skills for who is using the ultrasound.
All these factors together affect the quality of the photos, all we can’t guarantee except the fourth one (the skill).
8- When I can have the photos and C.D?
Just before leaving our center.
The finest doctor in Jordan — may God bless him and his whole medical team. A doctor in every sense of the word. I advise anyone planning a pregnancy to visit Dr. Najeeb Layyous. His manner is wonderful, always smiling, with the highest ethics; he gives every patient her due, and the patient’s comfort matters most to him. We had been to many doctors and none understood and treated my case except him. Special thanks to him and the whole team, and to Dina in particular — a lovely person. I recommend anyone considering IVF or pregnancy to visit his clinic.