I'm anxious to know my baby's gender—when can I come in?

We can generally determine your baby’s gender at 15 weeks. If we are unable to tell you the gender of your baby, we will invite you to return at no charge!

Gender determination is always done in 2D B&W technology for reliability purposes. Additionally, we do gender determination (if requested) for every package we offer and at every revisit to give our mothers that extra peace of mind. Although you can do 3D/4D at the early stages and some mothers want to capture those stages in 3D/4D, keep in mind that your baby is in its early stages of development. If you want more developed images in 3D/4D it might be best to do gender determination at the early stages and come back to do a 3D/4D session between 24-32 weeks.

What if I DON'T want to know my baby's gender?

No problem. We have many mothers who come to have this amazing 3D/4D ultrasound session performed without determining gender and still keeping it a surprise for the birthday.

When is the best time for a 3D/4D ultrasound?

This depends on how you would like to see your baby. Before 24 weeks, babies have a more skeletal appearance with 4D, but you are able to see more of the baby at once. From 28-36 weeks, babies are developing the fat layer that fills in their features so you will see more facial detail. At Baby's First Foto, we think the best time to visit is between 26-34 weeks into your pregnancy. 4D imaging depends upon the baby’s position, size and movement, maternal tissue, and amount of amniotic fluid, so we cannot guarantee image quality due to those factors. For Twins, the best time is before 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Twins?

If you are having twins, there are a few things you need to know. First off, because you are having two babies, it is like you are having two sessions. So, for Gender Determination services, there is an additional $25 fee to scan both babies. If you are wanting 3D/4D services, then there are no additional fees, however, you MUST have the Golden Package performed to allow enough time for both babies. Mothers with twins should come in before 28 weeks for full development images and 16-18 weeks to attempt to get images of them together. However, mothers still come up to full term.

What services do you provide?

We provide 2D, 3D, and 4D elective ultrasound services that obtain amazing images of your expected baby. Baby's First Foto captures, produces and preserves your images professionally like no other facility so that you can enjoy them for a lifetime. Our procedures are non-invasive, performed on the belly and always performed by a real sonographer.

Is ultrasound safe?

This is probably the most important question to ask. All facility guidelines and protocols are overseen by a board certified physician and every session is performed by a real diagnostic medical sonographer who has graduated from an allied health accredited school and is therefore RDMS registered or registry eligible.

When it comes to medical ultrasounds, the FDA regulates the frequency and intensity of the ultrasound machines to ensure that your baby will not be harmed within the specified time limit for ultrasound sessions. Even if a machine went rogue (they don't) and started producing ultrasonic waves that were too intense for your baby, a fail-safe mechanism is included in each ultrasound unit which shuts the machine down or terminates the ultrasonic output in the event that the ultrasonic waves do not meet the FDA regulations.

"No confirmed biological effects on patients or instrument operators caused by exposure at intensities typical of present diagnostic ultrasound equipment have ever been reported. Although the possibility exists that biological effects may be identified in the future, current data indicates that the benefits to patients outweigh the risk, if any, that may be present."

— American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) website, 2003.

Do you take measurements or can you tell me the weight of my baby?

We do not perform measurements or estimate baby weights as this is considered part of the diagnostic examination that you receive at your physician's office. This should only be done at your physician's office and our services should not be considered in any way a supplement or replacement to proper prenatal care.

Do I need a note from my doctor?

No. However, you must verify that you are receiving prenatal care by providing your physician's/midwife's contact information prior to having a session with Baby's First Foto. We will not see any client without this verification. We respect that your physician is your primary care giver and 100% decision maker of your pregnancy.

What is the difference between 2D, 3D, and 4D?

Keep in mind 2D, 3D, and 4D are features/technology on the ultrasound system that produce images. 2D technology is the black/white technology and is used for gender determination and to listen to the baby's heartbeat. 3D produces color still shot pictures. 4D, in simple terms, is 3D in movement. So if your baby is sucking his/her thumb, yawning, etc. you will see his/her movements and gestures in the color technology. In order to capture all of this 4D movement, you will need to make sure you have chosen a video option.

Can you guarantee that I will receive perfect images?

No, we cannot guarantee "perfect" images—nor can anyone, for that matter! What you see on our website are images taken directly from our clients and exemplary of what most mothers receive. The most important factor is the position of the baby. Other critical factors include the amount of amniotic fluid (drink lots of water!) and the amount of maternal tissue between the probe and the baby. The bottom line is that each mother and baby are unique and so is each session.

Is there anything I can do to help get good images?

Please remember that drinking your physician's daily consumption of water (typically 64-80 oz per day) for about 3-5 days prior to your session is the best thing you can do, and about the only thing you can do. This is a very natural process as we cannot "control" your baby.  Also, you can consume a food or drink that you know will make your baby active. We know you know your baby better than anyone, so if you know of a food, drink or activity that gets your baby moving, by all means feel free to do them just before your trip to our facility.

How can I pay for my 3D/4D ultrasound?

We accept major credit cards, debit cards and cash. Since this is not a diagnostic procedure, insurance companies will not pay for your scan. Consider our service like taking your baby to a photography studio and having portraits made.

How long will my appointment take?

You should plan on an hour for your appointment. The actual scanning time will be 20-30 minutes. We allow extra time in case your baby is uncooperative. If this situation occurs, we will be able to have you do some things that we find helpful, like drinking juice or soda, eating chocolate, or walking around.

Can friends or family come with me for my appointment?

We welcome your family and friends to share the joy of this once in a lifetime experience. We have comfortable seating for 6 adults. Children are welcome but with VERY FEW exceptions become bored and restless. Many parents cannot really enjoy seeing the new baby while wrestling a crying toddler or trying to entertain a preschooler.

Other Tips

• Keep in mind, all babies love to cuddle and usually have their hands near their face or even sucking their thumbs, rubbing eyes, etc.
• Drink the amount of water your physician recommends (typically 64-80oz. per day) weeks prior to your session or you will not get vivid images.
• All moms can come in as early as 15 weeks for gender determination.
• Mothers with twins should come in before 28 weeks for full development images and 16-18 weeks to attempt to get them together. However, you may still come up to the full term.

Other Notes

Keep in mind we do sessions from 15 weeks to full term. Many mothers do gender determination in the early stages (15-22 weeks) and then come back for 3D/4D around 22-36 weeks and up to full term. Twins should come in around 17 weeks or so to attempt to get them together. Come in around 28 weeks for full development images. Because you see different things at different stages (and all repeat sessions receive 10-20% off), many mothers visit two to four times to capture the different stages of development.