What is an Elective Prenatal Ultrasound?

An elective ultrasound is an opportunity to look at you baby for non-diagnostic imaging. The exam is not ordered by a physician for medical evaluation purposes. It is the choice of the parents to have the baby viewed with ultrasound strictly for photographic purposes.

Can I Use This Ultrasound to Substitute for My Doctors Ultrasound Exam?

Absolutely not! We cannot emphasize this enough. This exam is strictly for art/photographic purposes. There are limitations on what is evaluated. No measurements are taken. The actual scan time allows for adequate facial views but not the examination of all fetal body parts. Our services in no way replace the care you receive from your physician. Proper prenatal obstetrical care is essential to ensure the health of you and your baby.

Do you Require a Doctors Prescription or Note?

We do not require a doctor’s prescription or note. We do require that you have had a diagnostic ultrasound ordered and interpreted by your physician before we will image your baby. This ensures that your baby’s health is optimal before your photo session. Most obstetricians order an ultrasound to assess your baby’s health at approximately 20 weeks. The optimal time to scan for a 3 or 4D ultrasound is when the baby is more fully developed at approximately 28-30 weeks.

What Else Do you Require?

In addition to requiring that you be under the care of a physician and have had a diagnostic ultrasound interpreted by your doctor, we ask that you to review and sign a brief consent form allowing us to perform the photo session.

Who will perform my non-diagnostic ultrasound?

Your photo session will be conducted by experienced, registered Ob/Gyn Sonographers. Although we are registered sonographers, our services at “The Miracle of Life” are strictly non-diagnostic in nature. Our experience as medical sonographers allows us to obtain the best images available.

What is the Difference Between 2D, 3D & 4D Imaging?

Basically, a 2D sonogram provide the typical ultrasound images your doctor uses to analyze the health of your baby. The small picture you may have received from most doctor’s offices is probably the standard 2D black and white image.

The 3D image adds the dimension of depth and color. This depth aspect is what provides the more life-like appearance.

A 4D is the animated 3D. Your baby moves, yawns, etc in live 3 dimension. This is the ultimate in fetal imaging. It provides the most realistic view of you baby.

What Equipment is Used?

We offer the most cutting edge ultrasound system on the market today. The GE Voluson 730 provides the ultimate in 2D, 3D, and 4D imaging.

Are the Pictures Always as Beautiful as I have on television, commercials, magazines etc?

Most often the pictures are very good but we can make no guarantee that they will be exactly like the commercial images or even as good as other images we have taken at our facility. The commercial images are obtained under optimal conditions and have been graphically enhanced. It is unrealistic to expect that all images will rival the promoted ones.

 3D may look as easy as hitting a button but it can be difficult. It requires that the baby be in a perfect position with nothing covering the face or whatever view we are trying to get.  Every baby scans differently. The quality of the pictures depends primarily on the baby's position, age, the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby, the mom's body type and where the placenta is located. 

What we can guarantee is that we will make every reasonable effort to encourage the baby to move into different positions to obtain better views. If the baby is sleeping, has its face toward your back, hands in front of face, has it's face too close to the placenta etc., we will attempt to encourage the baby to move by having you eat, drink, and move around.

How Many Weeks Should I be for the Photo Session?

The optimal age for 3D photo imaging is around 25-30 weeks. Before approximately 25 weeks we can still get 3D pictures of the face but the baby’s fat deposits are not as developed as a few weeks later and the baby may appear skeletal. 3D requires a perfect view of what you are trying to take a picture of.  As the baby grows, getting the face without something covering it becomes much more difficult.  Later in pregnancy, the baby is more likely to be facing away from us or have hands or feet over the face.

What Safety Factors are Involved with this Ultrasound?

The "Miracle of Life” maintains a commitment to provide the best in 2D, 3D & 4D prenatal ultrasound imaging. All photo sessions are performed by Registered, experienced, Ob/Gyn Sonographers who adhere to the exact safety guidelines as those followed in physician's office.

Your physician is in the best position to assess your individual needs. We encourage you to discuss your plans for an elective, non-diagnostic, ultrasound with them prior to your appointment.

Can we Bring Family Members & Siblings?

Family members and siblings are welcome to attend you session. We provide a comfortable home-like setting with a sofa, chairs, and color monitor. We can accommodate 3-4 people in addition to the mother and father. Siblings are always welcome.  We request that another adult accompany any young children.  Sessions may last an hour if we have to wait for the baby to move into a good position.  Young children can become easily bored with the waiting.  We recommend you bring some toys to entertain the children.

We recommend that family members be made aware that sessions may last as long as an hour if we have to stop scanning and wait for the baby to move.  Family members are very excited to see the new baby but sometimes have expectation that we will immediately see the perfect baby face.  3D images are not easy to obtain.  Family members should expect that they may have to be patient to wait for good views and that there are times when views of the face will be impossible.

Do I need an Appointment?

Yes. Photo sessions are offered by appointment only.

Miracle of Life is open on a part-time basis. The sonographer performing your ultrasound also works as a full-time Ob/Gyn medical sonographer.  The staff at Miracle of Life are employed also as medical sonographers and work here on a part-time basis.  Appointments are scheduled around the sonographers schedule.

 We will make every effort to accommodate your request for an appointment time. 

Appointments are limited and fill very quickly. Available appointments are often filled 2-3 weeks ahead of time.

We recommend that if you choose to book an appointment you call as soon as you know a date you are interested in.

How do I Make an Appointment?

Sending us an email is the quickest way to contact us.

Appointment times can be requested via this website.  Click on the "Make An Appointment" tab on the left of this page and complete the contact email form at the top of that page.  Please be sure to type your email address carefully.

You may also email us directly my sending a request to miracleoflife3dultrasound.com.

 If you do not receive an answer to your email within a day or so, please email again or leave a phone message.  Also, check your spam, junk, or filtered mail files to see if the response has been filed there. We appreciate your understanding & patience. 

 You may also request someone to call you to make an appointment by leaving a message on the office answering machine. The office has no full-time secretary to answer incoming calls.  It may take longer for a response if you leave a message since we are not in the office on a daily basis. Also, returning calls often results in a few days of leaving messages back and forth.

 Does Insurance Cover this Ultrasound?

No. Since this is an elective procedure, insurance does not provide coverage.

What Type of Payment is Accepted?

At this time we do not accept credit or debit cards. WE NO LONGER ACCEPT PERSONAL CHECKS. A bank check or money order is fine.  Cash is preferred. 

When is payment made?

Payment is made after your session.

Is there background music on the DVD movie and can I bring my own CD?

We use background lullaby music for your DVD movie.  You are welcome to bring your own music if you prefer.  Plan on 30 minutes of recorded music if you choose to bring a music CD.