3D and 4D Ultrasounds in West Houston and Katy Texas - Westside Ultrasound Services

What is an elective prenatal ultrasound?

We offer elective 2D, 3D & 4D prenatal ultrasounds to provide a positive bonding experience for the mother, father and family members with the unborn baby. We feel that realistic surface images provide a connection between the parents and baby that can be beneficial to the whole family. We make no claims that 3D as used in this examination is performed to better assess the baby for abnormalities. A routine ultrasound examination should have already been performed to assess the gestational age of the fetus, and to evaluate for fetal anomalies as well as the basic components of fetal anatomy recommended for screening.


Does this take the place of an ultrasound at my doctor's office?

ABSOLUTELY NOT! Women seeking an elective prenatal ultrasound with our facility must already be receiving treatment with a healthcare provider for prenatal care, and have already undergone a Level 1 diagnostic ultrasound as ordered by said provider to confirm their due date, screen for fetal anomalies, and to look for any other pregnancy-related issues. The issues that we are evaluating in the elective prenatal ultrasound session include: a limited diagnostic scan to confirm heartbeat, the number of gestations (babies), the position of the baby, and placental location. Please note: at no time is this exam to be used in place of a complete diagnostic ultrasound.


Do I need a note from my doctor?

Yes, it is our policy that all women requesting an elective ultrasound provide documentation that they are receiving prenatal care. Before your ultrasound session, please have the following form completed by your obstetrician, family practitioner, or midwife. Please fax or bring the completed form with you to your session. This form is a prerequisite before services can be completed. Click here to access the Prenatal Care Verification Form


Is it safe? Are there any risks to me, or my baby?

Extensive studies for over 30 years have found that ultrasound has not been shown to cause any harm to mother or baby. Routine scanning of all pregnancies is now normal throughout the United States. In 3D/4D scanning exactly the same type and intensity of ultrasound is used as with conventional 2D scanning. 3D and 4D Ultrasounds both utilize sound waves to look inside the body. The technology is similar to radar. A probe placed on the body emits sound waves into the body, listens for the return echo and generates an image. 3D/4D ultrasounds are similar to conventional 2D scans in terms of exposure.


What about multiple ultrasounds?

In the 35 years of use in medicine, there has never been a harmful effect shown by the use of ultrasound. Many women have multiple ultrasounds during their pregnancy with no negative effect on the baby. Women who are having trouble with pregnancy may have as many as two or three ultrasounds per week late in the third trimester.


Do I need an appointment?

Yes, appointments are necessary for all of our services.


How long does the 3D/4D ultrasound take?

Depending on the package you choose, the 3D/4D ultrasound session will last between 15 and 30 minutes. By the time you leave, all of your pictures and peripherals will be ready to take with you!


How far along should I be before I have a 3D/4D ultrasound?

If you plan on having only one 3D/4D ultrasound examination, we would recommend having the examination performed between the 28th and 32nd week of the pregnancy. However, excellent images of your baby can be obtained anytime after about 25 weeks of pregnancy. Many mothers obtain more than one 3D/4D ultrasound , and have images to enjoy, and compare between their second and third trimesters. NOTE: If you are expecting twins the best time is between 24 and 27 weeks.


Will I always get a beautiful picture of my baby?

Usually, but not always. Sometimes, baby will persistently position face down, i.e. towards your spine, so it may be difficult to see the his/her face. If this happens, a repositioning or repeat scan will usually succeed because the baby may turn to a more favorable position. However, we make no promises that the images will be similar to those you might have seen elsewhere or even from our clinic, or that we can always meet everyone's expectations. Every baby scans differently, depending on its gestational age, position, amount of fluid, and mother's physical condition. We promise to make every effort to obtain the best possible images of whatever parts of the baby that can be seen.


Can I bring my family and friends?

Yes. In fact, we encourage our clients to invite family and friends to attend the elective 3D/4D ultrasound session. This is a joyous and wonderful experience, one that should be shared with those you love most. (Limit of 6 people, please)


Are you able to tell the sex of the baby?

Yes, in most cases we can provide an indication of the sex of the baby; However, we can't guarantee that the baby will cooperate during your session. Certain factors such as mommy's body tissue content, baby's developmental stage and fetal position all affect the ability to determine sex.


Is the 3D/4D ultrasound covered by Insurance?

At this point, insurance does not cover the costs of our ultrasounds. Since this is an elective procedure and is not intended to be a replacement for your physician-ordered ultrasound, you will need to pay the cost of this ultrasound as an out-of-pocket expense. We accept cash, Visa, MasterCard, and debit cards. Sorry, no personal checks.


What can I do to improve the quality of my ultrasound?

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER!!! If you don't normally drink water daily you should consider doing so beginning at least 3 days before your scheduled appointment. Hydration can significantly improve the clarity of an ultrasound. Expectant mothers that are full-figured should consider scheduling their 4D ultrasound between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy, as the ultrasound tends to be clearer and the results more desirable and comparable to the images in our picture gallery.


How much does it cost?

We have ultrasound packages to fit just about anyone's budget. Please refer to our Services page for more information on our available 3D/4D ultrasound packages.