FAQ

What is a elective non-diagnostic ultrasound and How is it different from the ones performed at my doctor’s office?

Elective ultrasound is a non-diagnostic ultrasound performed by a highly experienced sonographer that will provide a personal experience and allow expecting mothers and family a healthy amount of time to view and form a connection with their unborn baby during a session that is completely dedicated to you in a comfortable, relaxing and intimate setting; you will receive images, videos and be able to watch your baby move, stretch, wiggle their fingers and toes and much more. This differs from the highly important and required routine diagnostic ultrasounds performed at your doctor’s office where the main focus is to assess the gestational age of the fetus and the fetal anatomy for abnormalities. Your OB sonographer performing the exam must pay close attention with no distractions. Therefore, they rarely have time to spend on taking images, videos or allowing moms to just watch their baby. Our services DO NOT replace the diagnostic ultrasound ordered by a healthcare provider, in fact, Itty Bitty Ultrasounds requires you to have established care with a healthcare provider prior to scheduling a session with our studio. Our purpose is to allow our clients and loved ones to experience baby and leave with memories that will last for years to come.

Is it safe? Are there any risks to me or my baby?

This is a great question. Yes, it is safe. over 30 years of extensive studies have found that ultrasound has NOT been shown to cause any harm to mother or baby, in fact, routine scanning of all pregnancies is now normal practice throughout the United States, for example; women who are categorized as High Risk may often have weekly ultrasound through the term of their pregnancy and is especially safe when performed by a trained and qualified sonographer.

What is the difference between 2D, 3D, 4D, and HD Live?

2D ultrasound is the traditional method used for years that provides black and white two- dimensional images typically used at our studio for gender determination, profile pictures, fetal movements, and much more. 3D ultrasound is an advanced method that is a still color image of your baby that captures the fetal flesh tone, often allowing the ability to see specific features. 4D or 4D Live is an actual moving 3D imaging of your baby allowing you to view actions such as yawning, turning, and other subtle movements.

Does this take the place of an ultrasound at my doctor’s office?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. Women seeking an elective non-diagnostic ultrasound at Itty Bitty Ultrasounds Studio must be receiving treatment with a healthcare provider for prenatal care and must undergo a medical diagnostic ultrasound to confirm their due date, screen for fetal abnormalities, and look for any other pregnancy-related issues, Our sessions are solely to provide our costumers with a memorable experience and no medical diagnosis will be given.

Do I need an appointment?

Yes, we are open by appointment only, therefore we are currently not accepting walk-in’s and it necessary to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at our studio, but please don’t hesitate to give us a call for same-day appointments as we may still have time slots available for you.

Are 3D/4D ultrasounds covered by insurance?

Unfortunately, insurance companies DO NOT cover elective non-diagnostic 3D/4D ultrasounds. Elective ultrasounds are intended solely for creating memories, keepsakes, and starting the bonding experience for expecting moms and loved ones before the baby is born. We accept cash and most major credit cards for our services.

Can I bring family and friends?

OF COURSE!! In fact, we encourage our clients to invite family and friends to attend, it is a wonderful bonding experience that can be shared with your loved ones.

What do I have to bring to my appointment? How long does it take?

Please arrive 10 -15 minutes before your appointment to complete the necessary paperwork prior to the start of your session. Since we require that our clients are under the care of a healthcare professional, please have the healthcare provider’s information handy and proof of care, you can bring documentation of a doctor’s appointment, an ultrasound taken at the doctor’s office, or anything that shows you are receiving prenatal care.

Depending on the package you choose, the scanning part will typically last from 20 to 40 minutes, but expect to spend up to an hour with us since the second half of your visit will be spent reviewing images and choosing the pictures of your baby you’d like to be emailed or preparing and packaging any add-ons you may have purchased with your package. Caring for our clients is our top priority and we want to spend enough time making sure you are pleased.

How should I prepare for my appointment?

It is beneficial to keep hydrated throughout your pregnancy in general for the well-being of mom and baby. Hydration also plays a large part in creating clear 3D/4D images to allow optimal imaging of your baby, so make sure you drink plenty of water during the 4-5 days leading up to your appointment. Do not eat a heavy meal up to 3 hours prior to your appointment as this may cause your little one to fall asleep, eating a snack or a light meal about an hour before your appointment is completely okay. Pay attention to when your baby is most active during the day and try to schedule your appointment during that time.

What if my baby is not in a good position to get good images?

We will always try our very best to provide you with the highest quality images but sometimes babies do not cooperate and other factors that are beyond our control may arise. Even with a well trained and very experienced sonographer, we are unable to capture the desired images. While we do not offer a refund, you will be invited back to our studio for a redo session at no cost to you. If necessary redo sessions will be discussed in greater detail during your visit as occasionally there are circumstances such as maternal body habitus, amniotic fluid levels, and fetal position that contribute to the inability to obtain images.

What is the best time during my pregnancy to schedule a 3D/4D Ultrasound?

We recommend scheduling your 3D/4D session between 24 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. However, excellent images can be obtained anytime between 22-37 weeks.

What are your cancellation and late policies?

We kindly ask if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment that you contact us up 24 hours prior so that we can make the necessary adjustments to our schedule. No-shows will be charged a fee of $25.00. Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to your appointment to allow time to complete the necessary documents prior to the start of your session, If you know you will be late please contact us as soon as possible to make sure we can accommodate your appointment and assure you have enough time to have a fully enjoyable experience.