Most people understand that fetuses are extremely fragile and should not be exposed to ionizing radiation; thus, health care providers utilize ultrasound for prenatal imaging. But how safe is ultrasound imaging? Is it safe enough to warrant a fetus’s exposure? Sonography is a safe choice for prenatal imaging, but there are some suspected risks involved. However, the benefits outweigh those risks as long as scans are completed appropriately, especially when it comes to the 3D and 4D ultrasounds.
Sonography uses sound waves emitted through a transducer to produce an image. In prenatal imaging, the sound waves produce images of the fetus in utero. While sonography is not ionizing radiation, there are two risk factors involved: thermal bioeffects …show more content…
What are the pros and cons of these advanced scans and when is their use appropriate? One benefit of 3D scans is that they are more beneficial in providing detailed information on the fetal face and limbs. This allows for greater ability to identify birth defects.9 When a 3D ultrasound image is then viewed in motion, it is called a 4D scan. These scans are being used to observe fetal behavioral patterns and facial expressions, which are important indicators of brain and central nervous system development.
One can witness a fetus smiling, frowning, sticking out its tongue, sucking its fingers, and more. The
2D scans do not allow for such detailed studies.10
With the ability to see such detailed images, more patients are opting for 3D and 4D scans even when they are not medically necessary. In fact, many centers have opened in order to provide these services to expectant parents. They pay high fees in order to receive multiple images of their baby’s face and even video of their baby’s movements. This represents an issue because studies have shown that sonography is safe when it is used appropriately when medically necessary. Moreover, the 3D
Sonography uses sound waves emitted through a transducer to produce an image. In prenatal imaging, the sound waves produce images of the fetus in utero. While sonography is not ionizing radiation, there are two risk factors involved: thermal bioeffects …show more content…
What are the pros and cons of these advanced scans and when is their use appropriate? One benefit of 3D scans is that they are more beneficial in providing detailed information on the fetal face and limbs. This allows for greater ability to identify birth defects.9 When a 3D ultrasound image is then viewed in motion, it is called a 4D scan. These scans are being used to observe fetal behavioral patterns and facial expressions, which are important indicators of brain and central nervous system development.
One can witness a fetus smiling, frowning, sticking out its tongue, sucking its fingers, and more. The
2D scans do not allow for such detailed studies.10
With the ability to see such detailed images, more patients are opting for 3D and 4D scans even when they are not medically necessary. In fact, many centers have opened in order to provide these services to expectant parents. They pay high fees in order to receive multiple images of their baby’s face and even video of their baby’s movements. This represents an issue because studies have shown that sonography is safe when it is used appropriately when medically necessary. Moreover, the 3D