5D emotional ultrasound: meet your baby before birth

Seeing your baby's face, expressions and movements before birth is one of the most exciting moments of pregnancy. 5D emotional ultrasound offers images that look far more defined and natural than traditional black-and-white ultrasound, and lets you take home keepsake images and video of this stage.

What 5D ultrasound is and how it differs from 4D

2D ultrasound is the flat, two-dimensional image used for the medical monitoring of pregnancy. 3D reconstructs an image with volume, and 4D adds real-time movement. The «5D» name refers to the most recent processing systems, which improve lighting, texture and depth perception to give the baby's face a more natural look.

The best week for a 5D ultrasound

Although it can be done at different points in pregnancy, the period between weeks 24 and 30 usually offers the best balance: the face is already defined, the baby is starting to build up tissue under the skin and still has room to move. During these weeks you can often see the baby's profile and facial features, yawns, smiles, arm and leg movements, or the hands playing near the face.

• Before week 24: a larger part of the body and its movements are easy to see, but the features are still not very rounded and the images offer less facial detail.
• Between weeks 24 and 30: the most requested time for a keepsake session, with well-formed features and still room to change position.
• From week 30 onwards: the features are more rounded and expressive, but the baby has less space and it can be harder to find a clear angle.

There's no perfect week that works the same for every pregnancy: the recommendation varies with the position of the placenta, the type of pregnancy and each patient's characteristics. At the consultation we'll advise you on the best timing for your case.

What affects image quality

The week of pregnancy matters, but it's not the only factor. The baby's position — they may be facing your back or covering their face with their hands —, where the placenta sits, the amount of amniotic fluid and the space available inside the uterus all affect the result. That's why an emotional ultrasound can never guarantee a particular shot: sometimes just walking around for a few minutes or changing position is enough for the baby to settle into a better one, though not always straight away.

How to prepare for the session

• Stay normally hydrated in the days beforehand: there's no need to drink large amounts of water right before the appointment.
• Eat normally, unless your healthcare professional tells you otherwise.
• Wear comfortable clothing: the scan is done over the abdomen.
• Arrive with time to spare: if the baby isn't in a good position, it may take a few minutes for them to move.

An emotional ultrasound doesn't replace medical ultrasounds

5D ultrasound is designed so the family can see the baby and keep a memory of the moment. It doesn't replace the diagnostic ultrasounds of pregnancy, the gynaecologycheck-ups, prenatal screening tests or follow-up with your midwife or obstetrician: it's important to keep all your scheduled prenatal checks.

Book your 5D ultrasound appointment

We carry out emotional ultrasounds at our Torre del Mar medical centre. Book your appointment and we'll explain how the session works, what factors can affect the images and what might be the best timing for your week of pregnancy.