Pregnancy is an exciting time for any mother-to-be, and having a 3D ultrasound is a great way to get your first up-close look at your new bundle of joy. 3D ultrasounds offer expectant parents a close look at their baby’s facial features, and many parents spend time deciding whose features and traits the baby has. 3D ultrasounds use numerous 2D images that are from different angles and then constructed to create a 3D image. Even though an entire pregnancy is only 40 weeks, it can seem like an eternity to the expectant parents, and having a 3D ultrasound offers a peek at their baby’s sweet face.
Drink tons of water.
At your 3D ultrasound, you need to be well hydrated, and to be well-hydrated, you need to start drinking plenty of water in the weeks leading up to your appointment and not just wait until the night before. Staying well hydrated will create more amniotic fluid, and with more amniotic fluid present, the images will be clearer. Staying hydrated is important throughout your pregnancy, but it’s crucial to stay well hydrated in the days and weeks leading up to your 3D ultrasound.
Have a sugary drink 30 minutes before your ultrasound.
Along with being well-hydrated, it’s wise to drink a sugary drink (within reason of course) around 30 minutes before your ultrasound. This will help wake up your baby and keep him or her active during the 3D ultrasound. Drinking apple juice is a great option because it has a reasonable amount of sugary but will not be too much sugar for your baby.
Schedule your ultrasound between 24-34 weeks.
3D ultrasounds should only be done during certain gestational weeks, and experts recommend 24-34 weeks. However, you should always speak with your personal doctor and imaging center to see what they recommend and provide service for. If you schedule your 3D ultrasound before a certain point, your baby may not be developed enough to photograph well, and if you schedule your 3D ultrasound after a certain point, your baby won’t have enough room to “pose” for photographs.
Wear comfortable clothing.
Since the goal of a 3D ultrasound is to see your baby’s face, you want to dress comfortably. If you wear comfortable clothing, you will be more relaxed during the appointment which will help keep stress levels down and make the 3D ultrasound experience as enjoyable as it can be.
Listen to the recommended advice.
Whether your 3D ultrasound takes place at your doctor’s office or an imaging center, listen to any recommendations they offer you. Since they perform multiple 3D ultrasounds each week, they know what they are talking about, and you should listen to what they specifically recommend. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask them as the staff will be ready to assist you with anything they can.
Be realistic with expectations.
While you can take several steps to prepare for a 3D ultrasound, at the end of the day, there will still be some things out of your control. Your baby could be asleep, the amniotic fluid could be cloudy, or your baby could be positioned wrongly…these are just a few of the things that could happen and impact 3D ultrasound. While it can be extremely frustrating not to receive 3D images of your sweet baby, you need to go into your 3D ultrasound appointment knowing that it could be a possibility. Use this 3D ultrasound as your first parenting lesson in having realistic expectations and being prepared for different outcomes.
Before going into your 3D ultrasound, you should take several steps to properly prepare for it. Drinking plenty of water in the weeks beforehand and drinking a sugary drink right before your appointment will help increase your chances of capturing your baby’s face, but it’s always wise to be prepared for any possible outcome. Whether you are able to capture a scrapbook of photos to share, have to reschedule your appointment, or discover your baby is being camera-shy, embrace and enjoy your 3D ultrasound experience.
