Can I have a 4D scan if I'm pregnant with twins?

The following scan packages are available for multiple pregnancies:

• EarlyReassure™ (7-13weeks) - a scan tailored to the early stages of pregnancy. We can date the pregnancy, visualise a heartbeat and identify if you're having twins! (Multiple Pregnancy Surcharge £20).
  
  
• Growth&Wellbeing™ (16-34 weeks) - a scan that's designed to obtain growth measurements and check the wellbeing of your baby (or babies)! (Multiple Pregnancy Surcharge £20).
  
  
• GenderGrowth&Wellbeing™ (16-32 weeks) - a scan designed to obtain growth measurements and perform wellbeing observational checks on your baby after your initial NHS dating scan (Multiple Pregnancy Surcharge £25).
  
  
• 4DGrowth&Wellbeing™ (24-32 weeks) - a scan primarily designed to obtain growth measurements and perform wellbeing observational checks on baby after your NHS anomaly scan between 24-32 weeks gestation (Multiple Pregnancy Surcharge £40).

4D Scans

Here are some further details about our 4D scans:

• 3D/4D ultrasound technology renders an image from the surface of your baby's skin for unparalleled detail
  
  
• Scan footage is projected onto a large plasma television screen, allowing you and your guests to watch
  
  
• Our 4D scans are popular among expectant mothers who have already received their dating and anomaly scans, and who now wish to take a closer look at the baby that's growing inside them. Our 4D scans make fantastic baby bonding experiences, giving you a detailed glimpse into your baby's world and bringing you a little bit closer to the child you're about to bring into the world.
  
  
• Some of our 4D scan packages (e.g. 4DGrowth&Wellbeing™) include complimentary baby sexing; others allow you to find out the sex upon request. However, gender confirmation is always done via a 2D ultrasound scan, even if your package includes 3D/4D imaging.
  
  
• After your 4D scan, you will have the opportunity to purchase a variety of lovely souvenirs that can be shared with friends and relatives. These range from printed photographs and DVDs to key rings, fridge magnets, and our adorable Heartbeat Teddies (featuring your unborn baby's heartbeat!)

 

2D Scans

2D ultrasound scans don't offer the same level of detail as our 4D packages - you won't really be able to see your baby's face, for example - but they still allow our sonographers to get all the important information about your child. Options like our Growth&Wellbeing™ package are designed to reassure you about your baby's growth and wellbeing; other 2D scan packages can even tell you whether your unborn baby is a boy or a girl!

 

Here's a little more information on our 2D baby scans:

• A 2D ultrasound scan produces a black-and-white image that show's your baby's skeletal make-up and allows the sonographer to identify any potential anomalies. As previously mentioned, this two-dimensional view is also ideal for gender confirmation, but please check if this is available with your chosen scan.
  
  
• While a 2D scan doesn't afford the same level of detail and bonding as a full 4D package, you and your guests will still be able to watch the scan on our plasma screen TV and purchase a variety of cute souvenirs after the appointment.

 

Still not sure which scan is right for you?

 

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The best time for a 4D ultrasound scan is around 27 weeks into your pregnancy. While 4D scans are available from 24 to 32 weeks, we recommend having the scan at 26 – 29 weeks in case your baby is growing slower or faster than average.

Expectant parents often ask us how long they should wait before coming in for a 4D ultrasound scan. Obviously, if the scan is carried out too early, the foetus will not have developed far enough to give a satisfactory image, but waiting until the final weeks of your pregnancy isn't a very good idea either.

Many people believe that they must wait until at least 30 weeks to book an ultrasound session, but this—if you'll pardon the pun—is a misconception. Here at First Encounters Ultrasound, we offer a 4D scan from 24 weeks to 32 weeks; however, we recommend 26 – 29 weeks as the optimum time for a 4D scan, as this allows us to accommodate babies who are developing at a slower or faster rate than average. It would be a shame if you visited our clinic at the start of your 24th week, only to find that your baby isn't quite ready for the camera yet!

So, to answer your question: the best time to have a 4D baby scan is around 27 weeks. However, this does not mean that a satisfactory image cannot be captured later on; every pregnancy is different, of course, but we are almost always able to achieve great results up to 32 weeks.

Upon request, we can also determine the gender of your baby during your 4D scan to make the experience all the more memorable.

Why can't I have a 4D scan after 32 weeks?

As mentioned above, the cut-off point for our 4D scan is 32 weeks. You may be wondering why this is the case; surely the image would be even better if we waited until the baby was completely developed?

The reason is quite simple: there's only a limited amount of space in your womb, and our sonographers are able to achieve better results when there's still some room left in there.

The main aim of a 4D scan is to capture an image of your baby's face, and we can only do that if he or she is facing the camera (or rather the ultrasound probe) when the scan takes place. If, when you arrive at our clinic, your baby is facing your back, he/she will need room to turn around—otherwise, we're stuck looking at the back of baby's head!

As your child grows, they leave less and less room for moving around, which means that the chances of turning become quite slim after the 32-week point. Furthermore, fluid levels reduce as the pregnancy develops, which will further impede the projection of imagery and also your baby's movement within the womb.

Is there any way to encourage movement?

Want to keep your baby moving on the day of your scan? Here are a few suggestions:

• Sugar stimulation is a good way to promote movement in utero. Eating a bar of chocolate and/or having a fizzy drink about 20 minutes before your scan will give your baby a burst of hyperactivity!
  
  
• We recommend having a full bladder when you come in for your 4D scan. If your baby's head is pointed downwards, he or she may decide to play hide-and-seek by burying it in your pelvic area. An inflated bladder helps to prevent this from happening, lifting your baby into a better position for the camera.
  
  
• If you come in for your scan and your baby is feeling camera-shy, we will recommend that you take a brief walk to get things moving in there.

If all else fails and we are unable to get a good picture of your unborn child, we will be more than happy to offer you a complementary re-scan visit on another date.

Click below to browse our scan packages and book your 4D ultrasound appointment online!

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