Elective Ultrasound FAQ

What’s the difference between elective 2D ultrasound, 3D/4D ultrasound, and 5D ultrasound?

2D ultrasound

2D Ultrasound

A 2D elective ultrasound is the same type of ultrasound used at your doctor’s office. It creates a flat 2D black & white image that shows the skeletal structure and internal organs of your baby.

3D/4D ultrasound

3D/4D Ultrasound

3D/4D ultrasound is the older ultrasound technology that allows you to see your baby’s face. It creates metallic/bronze color images that are much blurrier than 5D.

5d ultrasound

5D HD Ultrasound

5D HD ultrasound is the newest ultrasound technology available. 5D renders life-like skin tones & allows you to see your baby’s face with far more depth & clarity than 3D/4D.

Does my insurance cover elective ultrasounds?

No. Elective ultrasounds are non-diagnostic services, and are not covered by insurance.

We accept cash and credit/debit cards.

Do I need an appointment?

Yes, appointments are necessary for all elective ultrasound services. We cannot accommodate walk-ins. We offer convenient 24/7 online booking so you can schedule your appointment anytime, or you can call us to book by phone.

Is 3D elective ultrasound safe for my baby?

Yes. 3D/4D/HD ultrasound uses the same safe sound waves and intensity as the 2D ultrasound your doctor uses. All of our ultrasounds are performed by an experienced ARDMS sonographer. Ultrasounds are routine, normal procedures used in all pregnancies throughout the United States. The ultrasound transducer emits sound waves into the body, listens for the return echoes as they bounce back and then generates an image from that data. 

When is the best time to have a 3D elective ultrasound?

This really depends on what you’d like to see. Many moms like to have more than one 3D ultrasound to see baby at different stages.

14-20 Weeks: Great time to find out the gender.

20-26 Weeks: This is a fun time for 4D ultrasound video. Baby is very active & small enough to see most of their body at once. If baby is awake, you’ll watch him/her kick, wave, grab feet, etc! However, baby will likely be breech which is not ideal for 3D/4D face pictures.

27-34 Weeks: This is the best time to get the close-up, detailed pictures of your baby’s face in 3D/4D/HD. Generally by this time baby is head down, which is ideal. Baby looks more like a newborn & the cheeks have filled in nicely with fat.

Will I be able to find out the gender of my baby?

Yes, at 14 weeks we can determine the gender with a very high accuracy (over 99%)! If you are at least 14 weeks + 0 days, and the gender cannot be seen (due to baby’s position, cord, etc), you may return for a free rescan the following week until we can determine the gender.

Will I always get great pictures of my baby’s face?

Usually, but not always. There are so many factors that can affect the results. Every baby scans differently, depending on gestational age, position, placenta, mothers body type & amount of amniotic fluid. We will always do our very best to get you the best images possible, and we use the best, most advanced ultrasound technology available.

Sometimes, if baby is looking face down persistently toward mom’s spine, it will be difficult to see the face.  Some babies cuddle up close to the placenta and cover their face with hands or feet. We cannot guarantee specific images, nor can we guarantee that your baby will allow us to get a perfect “full face” picture. Remember with ultrasound, you get to see your baby interacting in his/her natural environment. If baby is sucking his thumb, or rubbing her eye, your pictures will reflect that. Clarity depends upon the amount of amniotic fluid present & how hydrated you are.

If we are unable to obtain any acceptable pictures during your 3D ultrasound, we will invite you back for a one-time rescan, free of charge, within 1-2 weeks.

Will my doctor be notified about my elective ultrasound?

No, we will not contact your doctor prior to your appointment. This is an elective ultrasound and we are not looking for any medical problems during your scan, however, if we happen to see something concerning, we will contact your doctor and let them know. We require all clients to have current prenatal care and if you have any concerns, you should contact your doctor. Ultrasonographers in general cannot make a diagnosis.

What if I do not want to know the gender?

We see plenty of moms who don’t want to know baby’s gender until birth. You can still have an 3D/4D/5D ultrasound & see your baby’s face. We’re experts in determining baby’s position, and we know exactly how to scan without revealing the gender. At the start of each appointment, we always ask if you wish to know the gender. We never make a mistake!

Can I bring family & friends to my elective ultrasound?

Yes, family and friends are always welcome! We encourage you to bring them to your elective ultrasound if you’d like to. We can comfortably seat up to 10 of your guests in our spacious ultrasound suite. Children are welcome, however, another adult must accompany you & tend to them.

What can I do to help ensure the best pictures possible?

Drink plenty of water for several days/weeks before your appointment to help ensure an adequate amount of clear amniotic fluid. The clarity of your images is determined by your hydration and the amount of fluid around baby’s face. About a half hour before your appointment, drink a large glass of cold apple juice so that baby will be awake & active during your scan.

Will you tell me if my baby is healthy at my elective ultrasound?

We cannot provide any info on the health, growth, or well being of your baby. That is assessed during a diagnostic medical ultrasound at your doctor’s office, where they will measure baby, assess fetal well being, growth/development and scan for any abnormalities. Our services are purely for entertainment, keepsake & bonding purposes. They are never a replacement for a diagnostic medical ultrasound.

How accurate is the DNA gender test?

This test is extremely accurate at 6 weeks pregnant. Peekaboo Pro’s accuracy rate is over 99.5%, and they are so confident in their results that they offer a full money back guarantee if your results are incorrect. (We’ve never had an incorrect result from them!) This test is so safe and efficient, that it is the only early gender test endorsed by the American Pregnancy Association.

How can I cancel or reschedule my 3D ultrasound?

Please be sure to cancel/reschedule at least 48 hours before your appointment time, in order to avoid a cancellation fee of $50.

Call us at 248-965-9557 to cancel or reschedule your appointment. If you reach our voicemail, please be sure to leave a message clearly stating that you are cancelling your appointment. This way we will have a record of the time you called so you can avoid the cancellation fee.