4D FAQ

4D Baby Scans allow you to see the face and features of your unborn baby in 3 dimensions and in colour. The 4th dimension is time, so you actually see your baby moving and getting up to all sorts of wonderful activities in the womb.

Yes. The 4D scanning process employs the same ultrasound technology used in normal 2D pregnancy scanning. The difference is that powerful computing within the machine enables the image of your baby be viewed in three dimensions.
Therefore 4D scanning is just as safe as the 2D process by which millions of babies have been scanned over the past 30 years.

Your scan appointment comprises two costs. The professional operation of the ultrasound machine and the media items that you take away.
You can purchase your scan and add media items separately - prices are here, or choose one of our packages for simplicity and a saving over individual items.

No. A referral isn't necessary for a 4D Baby Scan. All our packages include a Fetal Growth Scan and Report that can be passed on to your GP/Obstetrician or Midwife.

The best time for a 4D scan is between 24 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. Before 24 weeks your baby will look quite skeletal and frightening. After 32 weeks there is often not enough amniotic fluid around your baby for us to be able to produce a clear 3D image.

Yes. You should have had your 20 week Anomaly Scan before having a 4D Baby Scan. If you have missed your 20 week scan we will perform this first (at additional cost) to confirm that all is well before proceeding to the 4D images.

Our 4D Scan bookings are 30 minutes long (for single babies) but you should allow at least an hour just in case your baby isn't in an ideal position. Babies do not always pose for 4D Baby Scans!

Yes. Sharing the 4D Scan experience is one of the most wonderful moments of your pregnancy, so we have seating for 4 extra family or friends in our designer scanning suite.

A fully qualified and accredited sonographer from The London Ultrasound Centre.

No. Gender Identification Scans are performed with conventional 2D Ultrasound.
During your 4D Scan our operator can avoid all areas likely to show the baby's gender if you don't want to know.

Around 9 minutes.
During your 30 minute appointment you will be scanned for a minimum of 20 minutes. From that 20 minutes around 10 - 11 minutes of recognisable 4D Baby images will be produced. We edit out all the 2D scan images and leave you with only the very best 4D images from your scan.
For more information on our exclusive edited DVD please click here.

Yes, if you really want to. (most parents come to us for the edited DVD)
We can also supply the raw unedited 4D scan footage as a Mov or Avi file on a DVD-ROM disc so you can edit it yourself.
With our unique DVD authoring process we can even add the unedited video file to your edited DVD Video disc should you decide to edit the moving images at a later date.

No. Unless you have written and performed the music yourself.
To use commercial music we would have to obtain permission from the artist and pay them a substantial sum.
This would make your 4D Scan DVD very, very expensive.
You can always choose not to listen to the music by selecting the sound of baby's heartbeat on your DVD menu.

During your 4D Baby Scan the operator will capture at least as many still images as the number of prints that you have requested.
If you have also ordered a DVD they will try to get as much 4D Scan footage needed to produce a Cocoon4D™ DVD. Keeping a balance between these two can be difficult depending on your baby's cooperation so we cannot guarantee an exact number.
If you prefer still images to the moving images choosing a package without a DVD will yield more JPEG files.

The best baby pictures are generally obtained between 24 and 34 weeks gestation.
Later in pregnancy can produce beautiful images but the risk that the baby may not be in a suitable position is greater.
Any earlier and your baby will look 'skeletal' and often quite scary.
We are willing to scan outside the suggested range of 24 - 34 weeks however parents should be aware you may not obtain the baby pictures you might be hoping for.

Most parents like to wait until after their 20 Week Anomaly Scan before they book their 4D Baby Scan, giving at least 4 weeks advance booking.
However our 4D Scans are very popular so to avoid disappointment and allow maximum choice of appointments you should book as soon as possible.

Your unique Cocoon4D™ edited DVD takes around 30 minutes to process. You may relax in our Patient Lounge or we can mail it to you.

No. Your baby will have been scanned for anomalies at the 12 and 20 Week Scans and it is highly unlikely you or the operator will see any problems during a 4D Scan.
We strongly recommend that you order a Fetal Growth Scan and Report with your 4D Scan (included in all our packages) so that we can check on the health and well being of your baby.