Learning More About 3D/4D Ultrasound
The questions listed below are the most frequently asked questions about our Limited Diagnostic Prenatal Ultrasound packages. Should you have any questions that are not answered below, please call us at (713) 752-BABY (2229) or drop us an email at theinsidestoryultrasound@yahoo.com.
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What is a limited diagnostic ultrasound?
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Does this take the place of an ultrasound at my doctor's office?
Absolutely NOT! Women seeking a limited diagnostic prenatal ultrasound with our facility must already be receiving
treatment with a healthcare provider for prenatal care, and have already undergone a Level 1 diagnostic
ultrasound as ordered by said provider to confirm their due date, screen for fetal anomalies, and to look
for any other pregnancy-related issues.
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Do I need a note from my doctor?
Yes, it is our policy that all women requesting a limited diagnostic ultrasound provide documentation that they
are receiving prenatal care. Before your ultrasound session, please have the following form completed
by your obstetrician or family practitioner. Please fax or bring the completed form with you
to your session. This form is a prerequisite before services can be completed.
Click here to access the Prenatal Care
Verification Form
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Do I need an appointment?
Yes, appointments are necessary for all of our services.
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How long does the 3D/4D ultrasound take?
Depending on the package you choose, the 3D/4D ultrasound session will last between 15 and 30 minutes.
By the time you leave, all of your pictures and peripherals will be ready to take with you! If you
choose the Platinum package, or have multiple gestations, plan on spending 45 minutes with us.
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How far along should I be before I have a 3D/4D ultrasound?
If you plan on having only one 3D/4D ultrasound examination, we would recommend having the examination
performed between the 27th and 34th week of the pregnancy. However, excellent images of your baby can
be obtained anytime after about 25 weeks of pregnancy. Many mothers obtain more than one 3D/4D ultrasound
(see our Platinum Plus package), and have images to enjoy
from, and compare between their second and third trimesters. NOTE: If you are expecting
twins/multiples the best time is between 24 and 27 weeks.
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Will I always get a beautiful picture of my baby?
Usually, but not always. Sometimes, baby will persistently position face down, i.e. towards your spine,
so it may be difficult to see the his/her face. If this happens, a repositioning or repeat scan will
usually succeed because the baby may turn to a more favorable position. However, we make no promises
that the images will be similar to those you might have seen elsewhere or even from our clinic, or
that we can always meet everyone's expectations. Every baby scans differently, depending on its
gestational age, position, amount of fluid, and mother's physical condition. We promise to make every
effort to obtain the best possible images of whatever parts of the baby that can be seen.
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Can I bring my family and friends?
Yes. In fact, we encourage our clients to invite family and friends to attend the limited diagnostic 3D/4D
ultrasound session. This is a joyous and wonderful experience, one that should be shared with
those you love most. Our spacious studio was designed with the entire family's comfort in mind.
We're kid-friendly, and our multiple media outlets are configured to provide optimal viewing
from any angle. (Limit of 8 adults, please)
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Are you able to tell the sex of the baby?
Yes, in most cases we can provide an indication of the sex of the baby; However, we can't guarantee
that the baby will cooperate during your session. Certain factors such as mommy's body tissue content,
baby's developmental stage and fetal position all affect the ability to determine sex.
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Is the 3D/4D ultrasound covered by Insurance?
The cost of our limited diagnostic ultrasound is not intended to be a replacement for your physician-ordered ultrasound, you will
need to pay the cost of this ultrasound as an out-of-pocket expense. We accept cash, AMEX, Visa,
MasterCard, Discover and debit cards. Sorry, no personal checks.
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What kind of ultrasound equipment do you use to perform the 3D/4D ultrasounds?
We use the revolutionary
GE Voluson 730 Expert to complete all ultrasound examinations. The GE Voluson 730 Expert is a prescription diagnostic ultrasound device that features wide sector technology, delivering a larger field of view than other 4D ultrasound devices. The Voluson 730 Expert also offers a higher frame speed than other 4D devices - up to 40 volumes per second. Accelerated frame-rate imaging allows us to reveal the smallest details with amazing clarity. Please note, many other ultrasound
studios claim to use “state-of-the-art” equipment, when in fact they are using older
and dated technology, or simply do software upgrades for 4D configuration - all of which greatly
compromise the quality of your 3D/4D images. Unquestionably, it's the equipment that makes the
biggest difference in 4D technology, so insist on the Voluson Experts and the GE Voluson Expert - your baby deserves it!
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What can I do to improve the quality of my ultrasound?
DRINK PLENTY OF WATER!!! If you don't normally drink water daily you should consider doing so
beginning at least 3 days before your scheduled appointment. Hydration can significantly improve
the clarity of an ultrasound. Expectant mothers that are full-figured should consider scheduling
their 4D ultrasound between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy, as the ultrasound tends to be clearer
and the results more desirable and comparable to the images in our picture gallery.
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How much does it cost?
We have ultrasound packages to fit just about anyone's budget. Please refer to our
Ultrasound Pricing page for more
information on our available 3D/4D ultrasound packages.
Have any
more questions? Would you like to make an appointment? Click here!
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* The Inside Story Ultrasound 3D & 4D Ultrasound is located in Houston, Texas and proudly serves the surrounding Houston, TX communities. Please note that our 3D ultrasounds and 4D ultrasounds can only be performed on pregnant women who are under the care of a physician and have already had a diagnostic ultrasound. Please call our 3D/4D facility in Houston, Texas at 713-752-2229 should you have any questions regarding 3D or 4D ultrasounds.
* The Inside Story Ultrasound in Houston, TX is a diagnostic ultrasound imaging facility. We require that all mothers have documentation of their medical diagnostic ultrasound and an accompanying order from a licensed medical practitioner.
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