Excerpts from
Effects of ultrasound on maternal-fetal bonding: a comparison of two- and three-dimensional imaging
…In addition, many families are seeking 3DUS images of their fetuses for reassurance and pleasure in non-diagnostic centers. There is great controversy as to whether patients should have the option to undergo these studies for pleasure for a potential benefit from increased maternal-fetal bonding. Therefore, it would be helpful to have scientific data to determine whether there is any positive benefit for the patient.
In this study, we sought to evaluate the impact of 3DUS images on pregnant families. We found a significant difference in how they form an image of the fetus after sonography, how families share photographic images of their fetuses, and in their comparisons between the appearance of the fetal image with 3DUS to the newborn baby between 2DUS and 3DUS groups. The higher frequency of 3DUS photographs being shown to people could be interpreted as the images being more easily understood by the patient and being more esthetically pleasing to people than those made with 2DUS. This is logical because 3DUS provides images that are easily interpretable by the layperson.
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Although most of the comments from both groups of patients were positive, a few negative feelings were declared. These were related to poorer image clarity compared to their expectations. Mothers who had 3DUS often had higher expectations and they were more easily disappointed when the images were not clear. It appeared that a clear demonstration of the fetal face is more important than any other anatomical part of the fetus to parents. Although 3DUS images were obtained in most patients, in some patients the images were suboptimal due to a variety of causes such as inappropriate fetal positioning, shadowing by hands or feet, positioning of the umbilical cord or placenta.
At Wonder Time LLC, we use a 30-45 minute appointment for our 3D 4D HD Sweet Baby Face Package. Rarely are babies in a great position at the start of the session. Half of our session time is devoted to having you switch positions, get up, move around, empty your bladder, and take a drink. By doing this, we encourage the baby to move into a more favorable position. We want you to leave satisfied that we got the best images possible!
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In conclusion, our data suggest that 3DUS has a more positive impact and makes it possible for mothers to better visualize their developing fetus and baby than 2DUS. Mothers showed images of their baby to friends and relatives more frequently with 3DUS and used more enthusiastic descriptions of what they saw. 3DUS, by making it possible to better visualize the baby, may have the potential benefit of increasing the bonding of mothers to their expected newborns and strengthening the support system for their families.