FAQ
Q. How many weeks do you have to be for a ultrasound session?
Aloha Baby offers different packages. The amount of weeks pregnant you are depends on how you can view your baby. The earliest we recommend to determine the sex of your baby is 14 weeks. 3D/4D may be done from 14 to 24 weeks, however the baby will have a more skeletal appearance. During this time you are able to view more of your baby on the monitor and witness the amazing development already underway because the baby is smaller at that time. When you become 24 weeks your baby starts developing a fat layer that fills in their features so you will see more facial detail at that time. Many soon-to-be parents choose to come in twice or more to see their baby at various stages. Aloha Baby believes the best time to visit us is 26-34 weeks into your pregnancy. We do see women up to full term, but with variable results. More fat does create pudgy images, but the baby gets increasingly crowded and may hide. An ultrasound image depends upon the baby's position, size, placenta positioning, and maternal tissue so we cannot guarantee image quality due to those factors that are beyond our control.
Q: Is Ultrasound safe?
Ultrasound has been used for over 40 years and there has been no indication of any harmful effects to the baby or mother from it. There is no radiation involved. In 3D/4D scanning exactly the same type and intensity of Ultrasound is used as with conventional 2D scanning. 3D and 4D Ultrasound both utilize sound waves to look inside the body. The technology is similar to radar. A probe placed on the body emits sound waves into the body, listens for the return echo and generates an image.
Q: What is 3D and 4D Ultrasound?
3D are the still images that will show you what your baby looks like, 4D is live motion video images of your baby - this is where you may see your baby yawn or make facial expressions. 3D images are captured in color photographs or saved to a CD-Rom from where you can email or print them. 4D is captured on a DVD.
Q: Why do you still do (Black and White) Two-Dimensional (2D) ultrasound?
Aloha Baby includes a 2D ultrasound with 3D and 4D, as they work together to show a full picture of the baby's features and movement. Two-dimensional imaging is used for viewing heartbeat, real-time fetal activity, hair, gender, and fetal anatomy. Most women are offered one diagnostic 2D ultrasound as part of their regular prenatal care with their physician.
Q: What will determine the quality of the images?
Many factors are involved in obtaining clear images. We use the state of the art equipment and are professionally trained exclusively in obtaining 2D, 3D, and 4D ultrasound images. Some of the following factors may challenge our session, like amount of amniotic fluid, fetal position, maternal tissue, and fetal activity. However, we often find we are able to image even the shyest babies and we do our best under all circumstances.
Q: I'm a plus sized mom will I be able to get pictures?
Most of the time yes. However, maternal tissue is an obstacle to 3D pictures and we try our best to get pictures but are not always able to. There is just no way to know until the session is performed. The sound waves must travel through the extra tissue, which does hinder the quality.
Q: Will you tell me what my due date is or how much my baby weighs?
No. Aloha Baby is an optional service and does not replace any element of your prenatal care. We offer a non-diagnostic ultrasound. We will not provide any measurements that determine baby weight or due date. We require that you are under prenatal care of a physician to use our service. If you have any question or concerns about your pregnancy we encourage you to consult your physician.
Q: Will I always get clear pictures?
As much as we try we cannot guarantee that clear pictures will always be produced. Too many factors beyond our control play a major factor in the quality of pictures such as fetal position, amount of amniotic fluid, maternal tissue, placenta position, fetal activity, and gestational age. We do our best and try our hardest to produce quality pictures and most of the time do, however there are the few difficult cases. If we are unable to get any face shots we will bring you back one time for a repeat of your scan at no charge. This must be performed within a week of your original appointment and valid Monday thru Thursday only. Due to the reasons stated above we are never able to guarantee the gender or the quality of the pictures.
Q: I'm having twins can I have a 3D Ultrasound?
Yes. We recommend having the session done between 22 and 26 weeks for the best chance of capturing images of both babies. The further along the mother is the larger the babies become, and the more difficult it becomes. Please keep in mind that twins are much more difficult to photograph. There is a $25 twins fee that will be added to the price of any package due to the increased time of this scan.
Q: Can I have my family and friends with me?
YES PLEASE! Anyone you want may come to experience this amazing time with you at Aloha Baby. This is a bonding experience that your family and friends will never forget.
Q: Do I need a full bladder for my session? How to Prepare
Eat or drink as usual. However, we do recommend that you keep your body hydrated with water several days prior to your appointment for the best results. We also recommend that you empty your bladder and then drink a tall glass of water 15 minutes prior to your appointment.
Q: Do you accept health insurance?
No, since we are strictly a "keepsake" 3D ultrasound service you must pay out of pocket. We are an elective non-diagnostic service, therefore health insurance does not cover it. We accept several forms of payment at the time of service.
Q: What form of payment do you accept?
Cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express
Q: Do I need an appointment?
YES. We schedule by appointment only. Please call our office to schedule. We recommend scheduling well in advance. We do schedule evening's and weekends however, those appointments fill up quickly.
Q: Will you for sure be able to tell me the gender of my baby?
The majority of expectant families will be able to find out if it is a boy or a girl at the first visit provided that they are at least 14 weeks. Some may have to come back for a repeat visit if the positioning of the baby is poor.
A view of the gender may be hindered by the position of the baby, the position of the legs and often the position of the umbilical cord. In some cases, the umbilical cord hangs right between the legs making it impossible to see the gender of the baby. Re-positioning of the mother may get the baby to move in order to free up the view. Some babies also sit cross legged allowing an accurate view difficult to obtain. It is important that you get confirmation from your doctor! If we were wrong we will bring you back for free to re-check. Aloha Baby offers a free redo policy in the event we are unable to determine the gender of your baby.