Should pregnant women check 3d and 4d ultrasound? & bull; hello healthy

One of the tests most needed to monitor fetal development is ultrasound or ultrasound. Ultrasound examination is divided into three types, namely 2D, 3D, and 4D. 2D ultrasound is basically sufficient to describe the health of the fetus. So, should pregnant women also undergo 3D and 4D ultrasound examinations?

Get to know 2D ultrasound examination

The 2D ultrasound examination is the most basic standard examination. This check uses sound waves to create a flat, two-dimensional image. The resulting image will be black and white, and a little blurry, aka out of focus.

Even though the resulting image is flat, a 2D ultrasound can provide an overview of the condition of the fetus. For women who have recently experienced signs of pregnancy, this test can also be used to confirm the presence of the fetus in the womb.

As the fetus develops, a 2D ultrasound will show an overview of the internal organs of the fetus. This is very helpful for detecting heart problems, kidney problems, and other physical and health problems.

No less than 3D and 4D ultrasound examinations, 2D examinations can also help you find out the sex of the fetus. However, you need to wait until the fetal genitals are fully formed, namely at 18-20 weeks of gestation.

However, the 2D ultrasound examination also has its drawbacks. The resulting image is often not as clear as expected, so the doctor must be really careful in reviewing it. Many pregnant women end up choosing 3D or 4D ultrasound.

The advantages of 3D and 4D ultrasound examinations

3D and 4D ultrasound examinations actually have the same principles as 2D ultrasound, which uses sound waves to get an image of the fetus. However, the resulting image is different from 2D ultrasound.

3D ultrasound produces 3-dimensional images that allow you to see the fetus in its original body shape. Apart from the appearance of the internal organs, you can see every detail of the curves of the head, face, body, hands and feet, down to the fingers.

3D and 4D ultrasound examinations produce the same image. The difference is, 4D ultrasound shows the condition of the fetus according to the time of observation. What you see on the screen is what is happening in your uterus.

Instead of being in the form of an image, the results of the 4D ultrasound examination are more like a video real time and very detailed. This allows the doctor to detect physical abnormalities that are not visible on 2D ultrasound, such as a cleft lip.

Should pregnant women undergo 3D and 4D examinations?

There are a number of drawbacks that you should consider before choosing a 3D or 4D ultrasound. Both are more expensive than 2D ultrasound. In addition, you are not advised to undergo both too often unless medically advised.

3D and 4D ultrasound are actually safe for the fetus. However, when you do an ultrasound, the fetus is also exposed to sound waves for a long time. The ultrasound examination can take up to 45 minutes, and this is beyond the recommended safe limits.

If you want to monitor fetal development, 2D ultrasound is actually enough to answer that desire. The resulting image contains all the information you need, including physical and organ abnormalities.

3D and 4D ultrasound do provide more thorough and realistic results. However, they are more suitable for detecting health problems that are not seen on 2D ultrasound. Whatever type of ultrasound you choose, make sure you have consulted with your obstetrician.