The best time for a 4D scan is usually between 26 and 29 weeks pregnant. Here at First Encounters Ultrasound, 4D baby scans are available from 24 to 32 weeks, but we generally recommend booking your 4D scan at around 27 weeks for the best chance of clear, detailed images.

A 4D scan is a real-time moving ultrasound that allows you to see your baby's movements and facial expressions in the womb. Many expectant parents choose to book a 4D scan because it offers a memorable bonding experience and a unique glimpse of their baby before birth.

However, timing is very important. If you have your 4D ultrasound too early, your baby may not have developed enough facial definition for a satisfying image. If you leave it too late, there may not be enough space or fluid around your baby to capture the clear images you're hoping for.

So, if you're wondering 'when is the best time to do a 4D scan?', the short answer is: around 27 weeks. Any time between 24 and 32 weeks should be fine, but we find that the ideal window is 26 to 29 weeks.

SKIP TO QUESTION:

• What Week Is Best for a 4D Scan?
  
  
• Can I Have a 4D Scan at 24 Weeks?
  
  
• Why Is 26 to 29 Weeks the Best Time for a 4D Scan?
  
  
• What's the Latest I Can Have a 4D Scan?
  
  
• What Other Factors Affect 4D Scan Image Quality?
  
  
• Is the Best Time Different for a Multiple Pregnancy?
  
  
• Book Your 4D Scan at First Encounters

What Week Is Best for a 4D Scan?

Every pregnancy is different, but on average, the best week for a 4D scan is week 27 of pregnancy. By this stage, your baby's facial features are typically more defined, but there is still usually enough room in the womb for your baby to move into a good position.

At First Encounters, our 4DGrowth&Wellbeing™ Scan is available from 24 to 32 weeks. We can generally capture high-quality images of your baby at any time within that window, but we tend to find that 26 to 29 weeks is the optimum time for a 4D scan.

At that stage of your pregnancy, these three factors are perfectly balanced:

• Your baby's development. By the time you're approaching week 27, your baby will have more subcutaneous fat beneath the skin, giving his or her face a softer and more defined appearance.

• Amniotic fluid levels. Ultrasound images are clearer when there is enough fluid around your baby to help sound waves travel effectively.

• Space to move. Your baby still needs room to turn into a favourable position so that the sonographer can see the face clearly.

Again, every pregnancy is different, so these timings are a guide rather than a guarantee. However, if you want to give yourself the best chance of seeing your baby's face clearly, booking your 4D scan for around 27 weeks is a sensible choice.

Book Your 4D Scan

Can I Have a 4D Scan at 24 Weeks?

Yes, you can have a 4D scan at 24 weeks. This is the earliest point at which First Encounters Ultrasound offer 4D pregnancy scans.

However, while 24-week 4D scans can produce good results, some babies may still look quite small or slender at this stage. Your baby's face may not yet have that full, round appearance often seen in 4D scan images.

This is why we usually recommend waiting until at least 26 weeks if possible. By then, your baby's features are generally more developed, and the images are more likely to show those little details that make the experience so special.

That said, there may be reasons why you prefer to come earlier in the 24 to 32 week window. If you are unsure when to book, please contact the First Encounters team and we'll be happy to advise.

Why Is 26 to 29 Weeks the Best Time for a 4D Scan?

Speaking from years of experience, the sonographers here at First Encounters have consistently found that 26 to 29 weeks is the time at which they're most likely to obtain satisfactory images during a 4D ultrasound scan.

During this stage of pregnancy, your baby is usually developed enough for clear facial features to be visible, but not so large that movement becomes too restricted. This makes it a good time to capture 4D ultrasound footage of your baby yawning, stretching, smiling or moving in the womb.

This window also gives us more flexibility if your baby is feeling camera-shy on the day. Babies do not always face the ultrasound probe at the perfect moment, and sometimes the placenta, umbilical cord, hands or feet can obscure the face. Booking your 4D scan comfortably in the middle of the 24 to 32 week window leaves more time for a rescan if one is needed.

DID YOU KNOW? If we are unable to get a good view of your baby during your appointment, we will usually offer to perform a complimentary re-scan on another date (terms and conditions apply).

What's the Latest I Can Have a 4D Scan?

At First Encounters Ultrasound, the latest you can have a 4D scan is 32 weeks.

The reason for this cut-off is simple: as your baby grows, there is less space in your womb. A 4D scan works best when your baby has enough room to move around, and when there is enough amniotic fluid around the face to help produce a clear image.

After 32 weeks, babies get bigger and more tucked up. If your baby is facing your back, hiding behind their hands, or lying in a position where the face cannot be seen clearly, there may not be enough room for them to turn into a better position. Fluid levels also tend to reduce as pregnancy progresses, which can affect the clarity of 3D and 4D ultrasound images.

This does not mean it is impossible to capture a good 4D image later in pregnancy, but the chances of getting the best results are significantly lower. For this reason, we strongly recommend booking your 4D scan before the 32-week mark, ideally between 26 and 29 weeks.

What Other Factors Affect 4D Scan Image Quality?

Timing is important, but it is not the only thing that affects 4D ultrasound image quality. Other factors include:

• Your baby's position. If your baby is facing away from the ultrasound probe, it may be difficult to see his or her face clearly.

• Hands, feet, cord or placenta. These can sometimes block the view of your baby's face.

• Amniotic fluid levels. Amniotic fluid helps ultrasound sound waves travel and contributes to clearer images. Good levels of fluid around your baby's face can help to improve image clarity.

• Your BMI. A higher body mass can sometimes make it more difficult for ultrasound waves to pass through clearly.

These factors are not always within your control, but booking your 4D scan at the right stage of pregnancy can make a real difference.

Is the Best Time Different for a Multiple Pregnancy?

If you are expecting more than one baby (twins, triplets, etc.) we recommend booking your 4D scan a little earlier than you would for a single-baby pregnancy.

A multiple pregnancy means there is less space in the womb to begin with, so it becomes exponentially harder to obtain clear 4D images as the pregnancy progresses. If you are pregnant with more than one baby and you are unsure when to book, please get in touch with us for guidance.

Book Your 4D Scan at First Encounters

If you are between 24 and 32 weeks pregnant and would like to see your baby in real-time 4D ultrasound, our 4DGrowth&Wellbeing™ Scan is perfect for you.

This scan package offers a special opportunity to bond with your baby while also receiving a growth and wellbeing assessment from a qualified sonographer.

For the best results, we recommend booking your 4D scan between 26 and 29 weeks of pregnancy.

Book Your 4D Scan

If you have any other questions about timing or any other aspect of the 4D ultrasound experience, please don't hesitate to contact the First Encounters team.

Need a Christmas present for a mum-to-be? Give the gift of a First Encounters baby scan!

Many mothers will tell you that the greatest gift they ever received was their little bundle of joy, so why not treat the expectant mother in your life to a 4D baby scan? 

A 4D scan is a type of ultrasound scan that's used to observe a baby in the womb during the mid-to-late stages of pregnancy (typically between 24 and 32 weeks gestation).

This type of scan allows you to bond with your baby and get a detailed look at them months before the birth!

From your first ultrasound scan to the final push, pregnancy is a journey that's filled with excitement, anticipation, and a bit of nervousness - especially as your due date approaches. One of the best ways to prepare for the big day is by packing a hospital bag well in advance.

At the First Encounters Ultrasound clinic in Cardiff, the price of a 4D scan is £149.

We get asked all sorts of questions here at First Encounters, but the most common question of all has nothing to do with how our scans work. Rather, it's related to the cost of our 4D ultrasound scan.

Many people think that 3D/4D scans will be too expensive for them, but most are pleasantly surprised when they see our price list!

4D footage is amazing if you want to bond with your baby. For example, we were able to capture footage of this adorable little baby cracking a smile!

Our 4D Ultrasound Price

We offer a 4DGrowth&Wellbeing™ scan for expectant mothers between 24 and 32 weeks that costs £149. This scan uses Advanced HDlive 3D/4D imaging to obtain growth measurements and perform wellbeing observational checks on your baby. We also offer complimentary baby sexing with this scan if your baby is in a conducive position. This 4D scan package includes a digital foetal assessment report, 6 x glossy colour photos and a complimentary video clip, plus digital downloads of all scan imagery from photocloud™.

If you want to take home a few extra gifts for the family, you may choose to purchase any of the additional baby scan souvenirs we offer in addition to those included in your package. Optional souvenirs include:

• Additional glossy photos
• Fridge magnets
• Key rings
• Heartbeat teddy bears
• Gender reveal confetti cannons

Contact us now for more information about our 4D scan packages, or use the link below to browse all scans and book online.

View All Scan Packages

MORE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

• When is the best time to have a 4D scan?
• Are 4D ultrasound scans safe?
• Should I find out the sex of my baby?

Many of the scan providers on Groupon are fairly new companies.

Recently, many worrying stories of unregulated ultrasound scan providers have come to our attention. There's a growing practice of misinformation and cutting corners that can cause customers to be sold a service that does not meet industry standards and, in the worst cases, can even cause mother and child to be put at risk. For this reason, we feel that it is vitally important for us to share this information with our readers, in order to allow expectant parents to make an informed decision when planning a private ultrasound scan.

While all 3D/4D ultrasound companies may seem quite similar at first glance, you may find on closer inspection that the provider you've chosen isn't being entirely honest about the services they offer. Here are some of the issues we've spotted most frequently here at First Encounters:

Misleading Customers Regarding Available Services

We've spotted many scan providers who claim to offer well-known services when in fact they do not use the equipment required to provide that service. One example of this is HD Live ultrasound, which can only truly be delivered using genuine HD Live equipment. We use an HD Live machine to conduct scans at our clinic in Cardiff, whereas at our Bristol clinic uses a GE Voluson I. Many providers will advertise that they offer 'HD Live' scanning, when in fact, they use other, inferior equipment to perform their scans.

Operating Without Regulation

In England, it has been mandatory for ultrasound providers to register with the CQC (Care Quality Commission) since 2010, yet some providers still attempt to avoid this requirement by claiming that their scans are 'for entertainment purposes only'. Those operating without regulation will often employ staff who have not been trained to a professional standard, and will use equipment that has not been properly tested - all without being subject to any independent inspections. To comply with English law and provide the highest level of service possible, First Encounters Bristol is approved, registered and regulated by the CQC, and is subject to regular checks to validate the quality of our services.

While our Cardiff clinic is unable to register with the CQC due to being based in Wales, not England, we do ensure that it meets the same standards as the Bristol clinic at all times. Many similar providers in Wales neglect to do so, due to the fact that the HIW (Health Inspectorate Wales) does not currently regulate the same diagnostic and screening activities as those monitored by the CQC in England. This is something to keep in mind when booking in Wales, as this makes it easier for unscrupulous scan providers to operate without detection.

Potentially Unsafe Equipment

As we've already touched upon, we strive to use the most up-to-date ultrasound equipment at our facilities. All of our equipment is purchased directly from the manufacturer, who gives us the knowledge required to set up and use these products properly. We also ensure that this equipment is inspected and serviced on a regular basis, in order to confirm that it is safe for use at all times.

Many scan providers do not meet the same standard, sourcing equipment second-hand and setting it up without the proper knowledge. One particular risk comes from providers who do not properly isolate the equipment they are using - this is very dangerous as it can lead to electric shocks!

Unqualified Sonographers 

Alongside their use of unmonitored and unreliable equipment, many independent scan providers will employ staff who are not properly qualified to perform a baby scan. In some cases, this will mean using sonographers who do not have any previous experience performing baby scans, rendering them unaware of what exactly to look for during a scan. In the worst cases, companies may use individuals who are not qualified whatsoever, a practice we view as highly irresponsible.

At both First Encounters clinics, scans are performed by qualified obstetric sonographers, which means that they have both the knowledge needed to operate ultrasound equipment and the experience needed to perform a baby scan and diagnose potential problems. Each of our sonographers is also registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which regulates their practice and ensures that they have the right skills and training to do their jobs.

So, Are Private Ultrasounds Safe?

In general, private ultrasounds are equally as safe as an NHS service; however, if you are concerned about a company's credentials as a responsible scan provider, here are a few things you can look out for:

• Are they registered with the correct regulatory bodies? Is there evidence of this on their website?
• Do they mention that their practice is for 'entertainment only' or 'non-diagnostic'? These could be warning signals that the practice is unregulated.
• Does their equipment/staff register measure up with the services advertised?
• Are their prices significantly lower than those other practices? If a price or deal seems too good to be true, it probably is!

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