<meta charset="utf-8">Are ultrasounds safe for babies?

Several extensive studies have shown that ultrasounds are considered to be <a href="https://www.webmd.com/baby/ultrasound#1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">safe for pregnancy</a>. However, pregnancy elective ultrasounds are not done if there is anything wrong with the pregnancy or baby, meaning that pregnancy medical ultrasounds may need to be taken instead.

<meta charset="utf-8">What abnormalities can be detected on a medical ultrasound?

Medical ultrasounds are typically taken to diagnose pregnancy problems or pregnancy birth defects. Pregnancy medical ultrasounds may include: • Detecting pregnancy-related issues such as pregnancy bleeding, pregnancy cramping, or decreased fetal movement • Determining the location of a pregnancy if a baby is breach • Detecting fetal anomalies such as heart defects, cleft lips and palates, skeletal problems, brain abnormalities, or urinary tract problems. • Detecting and other pregnancy-related issues.

What can I do to get good pictures of my baby?

Most importantly, it's essential to be comfortable. You'll get a much better image if your baby is in an excellent fetal position and you're not constricting them by squeezing their legs together! Make sure that whatever pregnancy pillow, pregnancy belt, or pregnancy belly support you choose fits the baby bump perfectly. Read our recent blog post to learn what you can do to get the best video or photos during your ultrasound.

Anna BassOctober 12, 20210 comments

elective vs medical ultrasound baton rouge

Elective vs. Medical Ultrasound: Which is Better for Pregnancy?

Women often choose to get an ultrasound for pregnancy-related purposes. But, they may not know the difference between elective and medical ultrasounds. What’s the difference? And why does it matter?

In this blog post, we’ll explore elective vs. medical ultrasounds, as well as the implications of each.

What is a Diagnostic Ultrasound?

A medical ultrasound (diagnostic ultrasound) is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to produce an image of the inside of a person’s body.

Modern ultrasound technology uses echoes from ultrasonic pulses transmitted into the patient’s body, then analyzed by a computer to create an image.

Ultrasound is different from sonography which uses sound waves generated externally of the human body and transmitted through the body in the same manner as ultrasound.

difference between elective vs medical ultrasound

What is a pregnancy medical ultrasound?

A pregnancy medical ultrasound examines a pregnant woman’s uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.

The procedure uses sound waves to produce images on a screen that can reveal all these areas’ size, shape, and position. Ultrasounds can also determine the age of the pregnancy and estimate how many fetuses there are in the uterus.

This prenatal ultrasound also helps your doctor or OB/GYN check on other things that may be going on with your baby’s health during pregnancy, in addition to allowing them to see how big they are growing or if there are any problems based on what is seen so far!

Pregnancy ultrasounds also can be used to diagnose any abnormalities in pregnancy. For instance, if your doctor suspects that you have an ectopic pregnancy or a pregnancy outside of the uterus (Intrauterine pregnancy), they will be able to tell immediately during the ultrasound procedure.

Pregnancy medical ultrasounds are also used to see any congenital disabilities, such as if the baby has spina bifida or anything else abnormal with your baby’s internal organs.

How much does a pregnancy medical ultrasound cost?

A pregnancy ultrasound can be expensive, with the average cost being around $200-$300. This varies depending on where you get your sonogram and if you have insurance coverage for it!

When should you get a pregnancy medical ultrasound?

Typically you will have pregnancy ultrasounds around 8 weeks, 20 weeks, and 35 weeks into your pregnancy.

Your doctor may order pregnancy ultrasounds as early as 5-6 weeks if they suspect a problem with your pregnancy or if you had a very irregular menstrual cycle or pregnancy symptoms that lead them to believe that there could be problems.

livingston louisiana 2d 3d 4d ultrasound studio

What is a pregnancy elective ultrasound?

Unlike a medical pregnancy ultrasound, pregnancy elective ultrasounds are taken at the discretion of the pregnant woman or couple and are used for non-medical purposes.

Typically, an elective ultrasound is done to determine the baby’s gender, although not all doctors will perform elective pregnancy ultrasounds for this purpose!

An elective pregnancy ultrasound is typically performed for one of several reasons:

Gender determination
For pregnancy following up and checking up on pregnancy in general
To get a better look at your baby as it grows
To allow family and friends to come in and see your unborn baby, especially if they are far away.
To get photos and videos of your baby in the womb.

Unlike a diagnostic ultrasound ordered by a healthcare provider, an elective prenatal ultrasound is performed at a studio.

Some of the benefits of this are:

You can be more relaxed than in a clinical setting
Ultrasound studios aren’t as rushed as an OB/GYN’s office
You can also get printouts of the baby pictures and videos for yourself!
You can invite family members to create a positive bonding experience.
You can see your baby’s facial features and body on a big screen TV.
Most studios offer same-day appointments.
Ultrasound studios tend to accept cash.

This helps allow the family to be more involved in pregnancy or to include an extended family member or friends in pregnancy.

When should you get an elective prenatal ultrasound?

Whenever you want!

Whereas your doctor or OB/GYN schedules a medical diagnostic ultrasound, pregnancy elective ultrasounds are scheduled at the discretion of the pregnant patient.

Typically pregnancy elective ultrasounds are done as early as 7 weeks to 40 weeks, although some expectant mothers may opt to have them done earlier if they want to find out their baby’s gender!

How much does a pregnancy elective ultrasound cost?

Here at Look at Me 4D imaging, our ultrasound imaging packages start at $55 and can be customized to fit your pregnancy needs, including pregnancy dating, pregnancy planning, or pregnancy gender identification.

Speaking of gender, if you’re planning a gender reveal party, be sure to check out our newest blog post: How to Host a Gender Reveal Party

For more information about our pregnancy ultrasound packages, please contact us at (225) 435-9749 today!

Frequently Asked Questions About Ultrasounds

Here are some frequently asked questions about pregnancy ultrasounds:

What are the differences between pregnancy elective ultrasounds vs. medical ultrasounds?

As mentioned above, there are several critical differences between elective pregnancy ultrasounds and pregnancy medical ultrasounds. The differences between pregnancy elective ultrasounds vs. medical ultrasounds include:

The pregnancy date: Pregnancy elective ultrasounds typically happen earlier in pregnancy than pregnancy medical ultrasounds. Whereas pregnancy elective ultrasounds are taken to determine the baby’s gender or for general pregnancy following up, pregnancy medical ultrasounds are taken when the pregnancy is further along to diagnose pregnancy problems or potential congenital disabilities within the baby.

The type of ultrasound needed: Pregnancy elective ultrasounds typically occur when a pregnant patient wants to find out their baby’s gender, for pregnancy planning purposes, or just for pregnancy following up. Pregnancy elective ultrasounds don’t typically happen if there is anything wrong with the pregnancy or baby, meaning that pregnancy medical ultrasounds generally are taken instead.

Are ultrasounds safe for babies?

Several extensive studies have shown that ultrasounds are considered to be safe for pregnancy.

However, pregnancy elective ultrasounds are not done if there is anything wrong with the pregnancy or baby, meaning that pregnancy medical ultrasounds may need to be taken instead.

What abnormalities can be detected on a medical ultrasound?

Medical ultrasounds are typically taken to diagnose pregnancy problems or pregnancy birth defects. Pregnancy medical ultrasounds may include:

• Detecting pregnancy-related issues such as pregnancy bleeding, pregnancy cramping, or decreased fetal movement
• Determining the location of a pregnancy if a baby is breach
• Detecting fetal anomalies such as heart defects, cleft lips and palates, skeletal problems, brain abnormalities, or urinary tract problems.
• Detecting and other pregnancy-related issues.

2D, 3D, and 4-D ultrasounds: What’s the difference?

2D pregnancy ultrasounds take place with traditional 2-dimensional ultrasound machines, whereas 3D pregnancy ultrasounds take place with 3-dimensional ultrasound equipment.

4D pregnancy ultrasounds are taken by 4-dimensional ultrasound equipment, including special cameras that allow you to see the baby in motion.

Both 3D and 3D ultrasound can create realistic surface images for pregnancy gender identification or pregnancy planning purposes.

What kind of ultrasound equipment do you use to perform the 3D/4D/5D ultrasounds?

Our GE Volusion E8 machine uses the latest in ultrasound imaging technology.

GE’s revolutionary Voluson E8 is a premium women’s health 4D ultrasound machine. Its HDlive technology, introduced in 2012 with high-resolution 4D imaging and standard feature for all revisions since then, has made this product one of the most popular on the market today – even though it costs more than some competitors!

How long are the ultrasound sessions?

Our ultrasounds typically last around 30 minutes; however, If your baby isn’t cooperating, they may need to be longer.

Why?

Because we want to make sure that we get lots of great shots and that your baby is fully visible!

Whether you’re pregnant, checking out pregnancy, or following up pregnancy, we want to make sure we get the best possible ultrasound images for you.

How far along should I be before I have a 4D ultrasound?

We like to see our babies for 3D/4D and HD Live anytime between 22-34 weeks.

The best viewing time is usually around 28, but it can be as late as 32 if you want pictures with your baby in the perfect position! The amniotic fluid naturally diminishes after that point. After that point, there’s less chance of getting those good shots.

How early are you able to tell the sex of the baby?

Our gender reveal ultrasounds can determine the sex of your baby as early as 16 weeks – perfect for expecting mothers who can’t wait to see their unborn child.

What can I do to get good pictures of my baby?

Most importantly, it’s essential to be comfortable. You’ll get a much better image if your baby is in an excellent fetal position and you’re not constricting them by squeezing their legs together!

Make sure that whatever pregnancy pillow, pregnancy belt, or pregnancy belly support you choose fits the baby bump perfectly.

Read our recent blog post to learn what you can do to get the best video or photos during your ultrasound.

Conclusion

There’s no denying that seeing your baby in the womb is a magical experience. Seeing your unborn child move and grow is one of those experiences that will make you want to share it with friends and family.

Our 3D/4D Ultrasounds are a great way to bond with your child before they’re born and hear their heartbeat for the first time.

Look at Me 4D Imaging offers affordable ultrasounds that allow parents-to-be to view their unborn babies up close and personal!

Our affordable elective ultrasounds allow moms-to-be to see their growing babies at every stage of development – from conception through birth!

This service makes it possible for anyone who wants this special gift for themselves or someone else – regardless of financial situation – so everyone can enjoy this incredible experience. We offer our services throughout the Baton Rouge metropolitan area and are conveniently located in Livingston, Louisiana.

Please contact us for more information about our pregnancy ultrasounds. We can’t wait to help you see your baby.

Or you can check out our ultrasound packages below: