4D baby scans

4D baby scans are not part of normal NHS pregnancy care but some parents opt to pay for them as a way to see their unborn baby in the womb. Here’s more about what they are, what they offer and what you should consider if you’re thinking about having one.

How does a 4D scan work?

When you have a 2D scan (the routine scans you get on the NHS at around 8-14 weeks and between 18 and 21 weeks) the probe used on your belly sends out sound waves that bounce back from your baby and build up a picture that you can see on a screen. The image you see looks through your baby so you can see its bones and internal organs.

4D scans work in a similar way but the ultrasound waves come from lots of different angles to create a 3D image showing your baby’s skin rather than your baby’s insides. You’ll see your baby in real-time, moving about in your tummy (time is the 4th dimension here).

What stage of pregnancy are 4D scans done?

4D scans are usually performed between 26 and 40 weeks when your baby has developed a good amount of fat covering its face and body and before the head moves down into the pelvis so that you can still see its face.

What will a 4D scan show me?

Depending on the position of your baby, you may be able to see its face clearly including the features of its eyes, mouth and nose. If you don’t see baby’s face, you should be able to see the rest of its body in 3D, including fingers and toes, and whether it’s a girl or a boy (unless its legs are tightly crossed). You may see them sucking their thumb or yawning.

What are the benefits?

4D scanning may help you get a better idea of what your baby will actually look like as you might be able to see its facial features.

Seeing your baby more clearly on a 4D scan may help you bond with your baby and feel more excited before they arrive. You may also be able to get a DVD of the scan so that you can share your baby with other friends and family and have a keepsake of the experience.

Are there any risks to having a 4D scan?

There’s no evidence that ultrasound scans which are done as part of your normal pregnancy care are unsafe for your developing baby. However, it is not possible to be certain that there are no risks at all and getting extra scans of your baby, which are not medically necessary, isn’t something that‘s advised.

For women with normal, healthy uncomplicated pregnancies ultrasound scans aren’t recommended routinely after 24 weeks.

Ultrasound scans should always be done by specialist healthcare professionals, so that it’s done safely and guidelines on length of scanning and exposure are followed. The person conducting the scan should be trained to give you the right advice and counselling in the event that anything abnormal is detected.

Can I get a 4D scan on the NHS?

3D and 4D scans aren’t routinely available on the NHS. If a problem is detected on the standard 2D scan you’ll be offered further scans and tests to find out for certain if there is a problem.  Sometimes a specialist will use a 3D/4D scan to investigate a potential abnormality.

That said, some NHS hospitals are now offering 4D scans privately (as a “souvenir” service rather than to detect abnormalities), so they might be available in your area, but you’ll have to pay for them and should still think about the reasons you want to have one.