What is an elective prenatal u/s?

By choosing to have this ultrasound, you will be able to have a more intimate bonding experience with your baby than what is performed in a doctor’s office. You must be aware that this ultrasound does not substitute for the ultrasounds prescribed by your doctor. A routine ultrasound exam should have already been performed to assess the gestational age of the fetus and to evaluate for fetal anomalies as well as the basic components of fetal anatomy recommended for screening.

Can I do this elective u/s instead of the ultrasound at my doctor’s office?

Absolutely not! At no time should this ultrasound be used as a substitute for a diagnostic ultrasound. Women seeking an elective prenatal ultrasound with Angel Vision must already be receiving treatment with a healthcare provider for prenatal care and may only rely on a medical, diagnostic ultrasound ordered by their provider to confirm their due date, screen for fetal anomalies, and to look for any other pregnancy related issues. You will be asked to provide your Ob/Gyn information and proof of a diagnostic ultrasound that was performed to confirm pregnancy and viability.

How is this different from the ultrasound performed or ordered by my doctor?

A medical ultrasound in your doctor’s office is focused on looking for abnormalities and performing diagnostic measurements. Diagnostic ultrasounds are usually performed at 18-20 weeks. In some cases, your doctor or sonographer may even take some pictures of your baby but this will be a very different experience than an elective ultrasound at our facility. While fascinating, the medical ultrasound is a bit more serious and can be nerve-racking, this focus detracts from the relaxed environment and interactive bonding experience we provide.

Is this service covered by insurance?

No it is not. Since this is elective and is not intended to be a replacement for your doctor ordered ultrasound, you will need to pay the cost of this ultrasound as an out of pocket expense. We accept cash, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards. No personal checks.

What is the difference between 3D and 4D ultrasound?

A 3D ultrasound is a 3 dimensional still image of your baby. A 4D ultrasound is seeing your baby in motion. All of our scans are done in 4D, you will be able to see your baby’s every move, when he or she smiles, yawns, kicks etc. Gender determination however, is done in 2D for more accuracy. Early pregnancy (8-13) weeks will be done in 2D with a sneak 3D peak.

Are able to tell me if its a boy or a girl?

Gender determination can be made as early as 14 weeks. We can’t guarantee that your baby will cooperate during your session. Certain factors such as body tissue content, developmental stage and fetal position all affect the ability to determine gender. If we are unable to determine this, we will bring you back at no charge to try again.

Is ultrasound safe? Does it cause any harm to me or my baby?

Extensive studies over 30 years have found that ultrasound has not been shown to cause any harm to mother or baby. Routine scanning of all pregnancies is now normal throughout the United States. 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. 4D ultrasound will be similar to a conventional scan in terms of exposure.

Do I need an appointment?

Yes, we only see expectant families by appointment only. Please schedule an appointment or call to make an appointment.

Will I always get a beautiful picture of my baby?

Usually, but not always. Sometimes if the baby is persistently facing down, i.e. towards your spine it may be difficult to see the baby’s face. If this happens, a repeat scan will usually succeed because the baby has turned to a favorable position. 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 condition. We promise to make every effort to obtain the best possible images of whatever parts of the baby that can be seen.

What if I don’t want to know the baby’s gender?

No problem? We respect your decision to wait until the baby’s birth. Please let us know when you arrive to your appointment.

How do I prepare for the exam? / What do I have to do to get the best images of the baby?

Drink plenty of water, at least 64 oz a day, preferably 2 weeks before your ultrasound, or at least 3 days before, this will ensure that the amniotic fluid is clear for the best pictures. It is also encouraged to have a meal or a sugary drink like a smoothie just before your ultrasound to wake baby up so we can see an active baby.

Is there additional charge for twins or multiples?

No additional charge for twins or multiples.

What images can I expect to see at different stages of my pregnancy?

8 -12 weeks
Perfect time to hear the heartbeat, and to see your baby developing arms and legs.

13-24 weeks
Time for to see your baby’s gender. You can also visualize baby’s movements, lots of kicking and wiggling.

24-28 weeks
You can still get full body images, you will see lots of movements of baby’s hands and legs.

28-36 weeks
This is the best time to scan. Baby is now gaining weight and now has more defined facial features. We can see who’s nose, who’s eyes, who’s lips, baby has.

Can I bring family and friends?

Yes, you are encouraged to bring friends and family. Children are always welcome. We have plenty of seating in our ultrasound theater.

How much does it cost? How long does it take?

Please see our pricings and packages for information on costs and time.

Why do you give a range for the times of a session?

There is a range because we need to give the technologist time at the end to print your pictures and finalize discs. The first number indicates the scan time and the second will be the time expected to finalize and print your images on paper and on discs. For example, a 10-15 minute session will mean that the technologist will scan for 10 mins and will take about 5 mins to finalize your images.

Do you accept walk ins?

No, our studio operates by appointment only.

Do you have gift certificates?

Yes, you can purchase online.