Are you choosing the best 3D/4D ultrasound provider for your experience? We put together three articles that may help you make an educated decision.
1) How do I choose a 3D/4D Ultrasound Provider?
Although there are plenty of entertaining aspects to a 3D/4D ultrasound, safety and professionalism should always remain paramount when choosing a provider. A responsible ultrasound provider will require proof that the client is seeing a healthcare provider for prenatal care.

The provider should use the system's obstetric mode to keep within FDA-established levels for frequency and power for prenatal use. They should also limit the actual scan time to 30 minutes per session. A session must be immediately suspended if anything adverse is discovered.

The 3D/4D experience is a very special moment during a mother's pregnancy. Remember that word of mouth is the best method to get the facts. Ask around; look for the best experience, a clean facility, the best equipment, and a professional, caring staff.
Editorial provided by Nasser Maaz

2) Finding a Responsible 3D/4D Provider

Although there may be plenty of entertaining aspects to a 3D/4D ultrasound, safety and professionalism should always remain paramount when choosing your elective imaging provider.
 
A responsible ultrasound provider will require proof that the client is seeing a healthcare provider for prenatal care during her pregnancy.
 
The provider should always use the system's obstetric mode to keep well within FDA established levels of frequency and power for prenatal use.
 
Remember that word of mouth is usually the best method of referral amongst expectant mothers. So do your homework, and ask around.
 
The most rewarding 3D/4D ultrasound experience will be the culmination of a comfortable and inviting facility, the finest equipment, and a professional, courteous staff whose primary focus is on you, your experience, and (of course) your baby.
 
Content provided by Henriette Clark, RDMS - owner/operator of Insight Imaging - Pittsburgh, PA and Joseph J Psiuk, B.S. EE/CE - owner/operator of InnerView Ultrasound - Philadelphia, PA.
3) What should you look for in a 3D Ultrasound provider?

Experience:

It's important to understand who you're placing your trust in. Small Wonders Imaging is the Lowcountrys first and most trusted 3D ultrasound provider. Established by a registered diagnostic medical sonographer, SWI is Charleston's only regulatory compliant free standing elective 3D center, with a board certified physician overseeing quality control. Skill, accuracy and ARDMS registered professionals are the keys to a reassuring and enjoyable ultrasound experience. Other providers have come and gone, but SWI has stood the test of time. With an outstanding commitment to quality, registered experienced professionals, and the latest most advanced equipment available, there really is no comparison. Small Wonders Imaging is the logical choice.

Value:

Price isn't everything. It's true that you get what you pay for. At SWI, we are so confident in our services that we'll match any competitors advertised price within fifty miles of any of our locations...and if you do happen to go see one of our competitors and you're dissatisfied with the results, bring us your images and we'll do it over the right way - for half the price! Now that's confidence. And what about all those confusing packages our competitors offer? We realized a long time ago that people just wanted the opportunity to see their baby, and they can do without all the gimmicks. Don't waste your money on marked up package options. At SWI, while you'll leave with a few keepsake prints, all of the images from your session are provided to you on a CD in standard JPG format. You can print fade resistant high quality photos at any drug store photo kiosk for twenty-five cents each. Make the right choice the first time; choose Small Wonders Imaging.


Accuracy:

We are extremely proud of our accuracy in determining gender. Few ultrasound predictions have 100 percent accuracy, but studies in controlled environments have shown gender determination by ultrasound to be 98.7 percent accurate at sixteen weeks. Of course, the accuracy of the prediction will be greater with advancing gestational age and the experience of the sonographer. Be wary of providers who advertise gender determination prior to sixteen weeks, and don't buy all pink based solely on their judgment. In the fourteen years we have been performing obstetric ultrasound, we have had only four incorrect gender assessments out of more than fifteen thousand cases, two of which were ordered prior to sixteen weeks. Now that's accuracy.

Safety:

A skilled sonographer can obtain quality images in less time. They are specifically trained to understand the relationship between the sound waves and tissue, and can manipulate the transducer to eliminate undesired image artifacts. Registered professionals also employ the ALARA principle, or "as low as reasonably achievable" when utilizing ultrasound. Some unscrupulous providers advertise thirty minute or even one hour scanning sessions, when in reality a skilled sonographer can obtain optimal images in just minutes. At Small Wonders, our experienced sonographers spend much less time finding your baby and more time allowing you to enjoy it...and although ultrasound is considered safe when operated by a trained professional, less exposure is always better.

For further information, call 843-832-1475, email info@smallwondersimaging.com or visit www.smallwondersimaging.com

Small Wonders Imaging, LLC. Charleston - Summerville - Walterboro