At Midwest Center for Womenโs HealthCare, we offer both traditional prenatal ultrasounds and 3D/4D prenatal ultrasounds for a true range of choices to best meet your needs. All of our care centers offer on-site traditional ultrasound services, and several care centers offer 3D/4D ultrasound as well. 3D/4D ultrasounds are available in our Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, Evanston (1000 Central St, Ste 717), Hoffman Estates and Skokie care centers. Please talk to your physician about which type of ultrasound is right for you and your baby!
What Are Prenatal Ultrasounds Used For?
Confirming pregnancy and determining gestational age
Determining the number of babies being carried
Identifying possible fetal abnormalities or birth defects
Keeping track of baby’s growth and/or determining a baby’s gender
Ascertaining a baby’s position as birth time nears
Providing parents with a souvenir “first snapshot” of their baby
Comparing Traditional vs. 3D/4D Ultrasounds
Traditional Prenatal Ultrasound
These are still the clinically preferred and recommended ultrasound type to be used during gestational development. Performed either topically via conductive gel on the abdomen (most common) or trans-vaginally via a probe inserted into the vaginal canal (less common), these ultrasounds produce two-dimensional images of the baby in-utero.
3D/4D Prenatal Ultrasound
The latest in advanced prenatal ultrasound technology, these produce three-dimensional views of your babyโs in-utero development for the ability to capture realistic still photos (referred to as the 3D ultrasound) and/or real-time moving video (referred to as the 4D ultrasound). 3D/4D ultrasounds may be conducted at any time between 28 weeks development and birth.
