Vancouver mothers-to-be take note, Som Visao Spa is running a Winter With Baby promotion that will save you $79 on a 3D Fetal Imaging Ultrasound session - a regular value of $178. These amazing 3D sessions make a great holiday gift for expectant parents!
This 3D imaging package includes 30 minutes of viewing your baby, hearing and seeing the baby's heartbeat, and optional gender assessment. For an additional $29 you'll get a CD, DVD, and images. You can also opt for the 10-minute 3D imaging session which includes gender assessment, two printed images, and a 3D preview for $69, regularly $99.
This special holiday pricing is only available until December 31, so book your appointment today! Visit Som Visao Spa's website for appointment and location details.
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AC13
November 4, 2009
@ 2:32am
3D ultrasounds use a much heavier acoustic load to create a dataset that is then converted to a 3D image. Ever wonder why hospitals DON'T do this type of imaging on your baby? It is because it is UNETHICAL to submit them to such a high load of energy when it only serves the vanity of the parents.
As ultrasound is an unregulated health profession there is no responsibility for clinics such as these to hire people qualified to recognize fetal abnormalities.
Won't you feel great after you've sent out your congenitally abnormal fetus' pic on all of your Christmas cards?
docchuck
November 4, 2009
@ 4:11am
4D ultrasound is less acoustic intensive than 2D because the probe is oscillating serving to diffuse the sound waves, further, 3D/4D ultrasound records 20 seconds of playback so the probe is not in contact with the maternal abdomen at all times.
A study performed by Dr. Campbell in the UK observed that children who had ultrasound exposure showed improved dexterity than the control group. I'd kindly ask that you provide one scientific study proving the harm exists, I've yet to find one - it's also ironic that Radiologists throughout the lower mainland would be performing these scans if they were indeed harmful.
AmandaA
November 4, 2009
@ 6:36am
thelastknight
November 4, 2009
@ 4:18pm
alotatoro
November 4, 2009
@ 4:41pm
AC13
November 5, 2009
@ 5:01am
- very true...however most, if not all, sonography organizations, associations or advocacy groups caution against the increased and repeated exposure to ultrasound for NON DIAGNOSTIC purposes.
3D/4D ultrasound is a wonderful way to bond with baby and provides fetal reassurance.
-"fetal reassurance"? of what.... that their parents think a good way to bond with them is to subject them to an unnecessary medical test? that's like bonding with your dad by giving him an unneeded prostate biopsy
4D ultrasound is less acoustic intensive than 2D because the probe is oscillating serving to diffuse the sound waves, further, 3D/4D ultrasound records 20 seconds of playback so the probe is not in contact with the maternal abdomen at all times.
-Incorrect. The duty factor is increased with 3D/4D...that's what gives you those crisp frame rates. The time a probe spends sending out sound pulses(duty factor) is increased because you need more of those echoes back to generate a 3D/4D image. Whether you use an array or curvilinear transducer is immaterial to the duty factor which has nothing to do with the length of time you are scanning for. The bottom line is that its all unneeded acoustic exposure if it doesn't serve a diagnostic purpose.
A study performed by Dr. Campbell in the UK observed that children who had ultrasound exposure showed improved dexterity than the control group.
-Please cite...I would find this interesting. Also of note...the studies linking increased exposure of ultrasound with recurrent ear infections in infants.
I’d kindly ask that you provide one scientific study proving the harm exists, I’ve yet to find one -
-there isn't one to my knowledge HOWEVER..refer above
it’s also ironic that Radiologists throughout the lower mainland would be performing these scans if they were indeed harmful.
-3D ultrasound is a diagnostic tool. If a fetus shows a thicken NT then 3D is a great way to diagnose a cleft palette. What would be UNETHICAL, not harmful would be for radiologists perform a medical test for the sole purpose of entertainment such is done at clinics like these(and I'm assuming yours).
Since we have such a snappy dialogue going now I have a question I would earnestly like to have an answer for:
What happens when a tech at one of these clinics is scanning and recognizes a fetal abnormality? do the clients go home without pictures and video and are told to see their doctor, or do the techs stay quiet and send them home lovingly clutching the photos of a fetus that won't survive outside the womb.
I guess that question is immaterial because anyone who could only get a job scanning at one of these clinics would not have the skill or credentials to recognize if anything is wrong with a clients baby.
alotatoro
November 5, 2009
@ 5:05pm
If you earnestly want 'fetal reassurance,' have two shots of tequila and wait for s/he to kick you.
If you get this very selfish procedure done, you deserve a few kicks to the belly.
Baby first!
docchuck
November 5, 2009
@ 5:22pm
The scan is stopped immediately, the patient is referred to their GP, the session is not performed. All clients require that a diagnostic scan be completed prior to the 3D.4D ultrasound, this is a safeguard and clients understand the difference between their diagnostic scan and non-diagnostic scan.
-"fetal reassurance”? of what.... that their parents think a good way to bond with them is to subject them to an unnecessary medical test? that’s like bonding with your dad by giving him an unneeded prostate biopsy
Comparing an invasive medical procedure requiring anesthesia to a painless, harmless, meaningful experience is a fairly crude analogy, however, "fetal reassurance" implies the following - this is supported by an article in the Journal of Ultrasound & Medicine entitled: Effects of ultrasound on maternal-fetal bonding:a comparison of two- and three-dimensional imaging" performed jointly by the Departments of Radiology and Family Medicine in San Diego.
Conculsion: "3DUS appears to more positively influence the perceptions of mothers to their babies postbirth compared to 2DUS. Specifically, mothers who had 3DUS showed their ultrasound images to a greater number of people compared to mothers who had 2DUS alone and this may represent mother’s social support system. 3DUS may have a greater impact on the maternal-fetal bonding process."
I think you'd have a difficult time receiving ethics approval if you were to apply this study model to measure the correlation between bonding during prostate exam procedures.
Further studies have shown the following benefits to 3D/4D ultrasound, you can site these in the Journal of Ultrasound and Medicine.
1. Documented cases of patients who underwent 3D/4D ultrasound changed harmful maternal practices such as smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Patients reported this was because they had an increased bond with their baby and recognized the harm they were causing.
2. Allows the father a more direct means of experiencing the pregnancy.
3. Increases social networking and maternal support support systems (see above).
4. Decreases maternal anxiety
You make a good point about increased NT thickness and cleft lip - additional benefits to this are noticing the appearance of the nasal bone and the the presence of a ventral septal defect (VSD), the scan you're referring to is the first trimester screening (FTS) test for trisomy 21. The limitation is that the scan is suited for 11-13 weeks, long before the B scan and even longer before a 3D/4D ultrasound (if the patient desires). This scan is not offered by MSP so the argument doesn't apply to Radiology centres that offer 3D/4D ultrasound in the lower mainland since NT can't be performed this late in the pregnancy - also a patient by this time would be past the threshold for CVS or Amnio so the FTS scan would provide no benefit.
I guess that question is immaterial because anyone who could only get a job scanning at one of these clinics would not have the skill or credentials to recognize if anything is wrong with a clients baby.
Technicians at Som Visao are ARMDS qualified Sonographers with extensive experience. Some balance FT diagnostic work with non-diagnostic call shifts.
Another article in the Journal of Ultrasound and Medicine surveyed medical professionals and asked whether they'd perform it on their own children - approximately 70% answered they would have no reservations. I've spoken with Radiologists, GPs, and OBGYNs who have scanned their own children and have nothing but positive things to say about their experience.