Frequently Asked Questions

Check out our peek planner to see some of the amazing pictures you can expect at each point of your pregnancy.

That depends on what you are looking to see. Many mothers like coming in twice, first around 14-26 weeks, when they can see the baby as a whole and determine gender, and then again at 25-34 weeks to see a more detailed face. Between 28 and 32 weeks, your baby develops more fat and gets a more defined face. After 34 weeks, it becomes more and more difficult to obtain good pictures since the baby is running out of room. However, all babies are different and we have been successful in obtaining great images all the way up to 39 weeks!

Weeks 15–20: Best time to see your baby's entire body and determine gender, but the face may not be visible.

Weeks 20–25: Capture the first images of your baby's facial features! This is also the optimal time to visualize fetal movement – i.e. your baby moving its head, hands, arms and feet!

Weeks 25–30: Your baby's features are more defined & developed – plus see how much your baby has grown!

Weeks 30–35: Although your baby is nearly full-grown and is too big to be captured in one image, your baby can now be visualized in great detail. It's like having a "close-up" session!

An ultrasound exam is medically indicated throughout pregnancy for the following reasons. These ultrasounds would be conducted by your physician:

First Trimester:

• Confirm pregnancy
• Confirm heartbeat and rate
• Measure the crown-rump length
• Determine estimated due date
• Confirm molar or ectopic pregnancies
• Assess abnormal gestation

Second Trimester:

• Diagnose fetal malformation
• 13-14 weeks for characteristics of potential Down syndrome
• 18-22 weeks for congenital malformations
• Structural abnormalities
• Confirm multiples pregnancy
• Verify dates and growth
• Identify hydramnios or oligohydramnios – (excessive or reduced levels of amniotic fluid)

Third Trimester:

• Identify placenta location
• Observe fetal presentation
• Observe fetal movements
• Check fetal growth
• Identify uterine and pelvic abnormalities of the mother

Our studio provides elective ultrasounds for the purpose of gender determination outside of the timing provided by your physician, and for bonding and entertainment.

Depending on the ultrasound package that you select, your session will last between 10 and 25 minutes. However, plan on spending 30 minutes to an hour at our studio so that we can send you home with memories to last a life time. It is best to arrive a few minutes early to fill out our paperwork.

Drink plenty of water even several days before your appointment to ensure your amniotic fluid is clear. About 15 minutes before your 3D/4D ultrasound scan, try to drink a cold natural fruit juice, such as orange juice, so that your baby will be awake during your session (unless you are directed not to by your physician).

At 16 weeks we can determine the gender with a very high accuracy. If you are over 16 weeks and the gender can not be seen, we invite you back for a weekday return appointment and we will rescan you for free within the next 14 days. The need for a return visit is usually due to the baby's position.

A 3D ultrasound is a still image while a 4D ultrasound adds the dimension of motion so it looks like a video.

3D and 4D ultrasound use the same frequency as your doctor uses in the normal 2D ultrasound. Ultrasounds have been used for over 35 years and there have been no proven side effects from its proper use. We strictly adhere to the FDA's standards.

Check out our peek planner to see some of the amazing pictures you can expect at each point of your pregnancy.

• 8-14 weeks provides early views where you can see the baby as a whole and listen to the heartbeat.
• 15-18 weeks you are able to obtain full body pictures and determine gender. A great time to see baby kick and turn.
• 26-30 weeks is when you can see a well defined face.
• 31-36 weeks baby has a full face and chubby cheeks.

WATER! Most doctors recommend maintaining a healthy fluid intake, especially while you are pregnant. You should be drinking plenty of water beginning at least 7 days before your scheduled appointment. This will help to ensure your amniotic fluid is clear as well as full. There are many things out of the sonographer's control like the baby's position, the mother's skin type and build, amount of amniotic fluid, etc.

A digital link will be sent to you via text and email within 60 minutes after your ultrasound session. This link contains all digital copies of your ultrasound images obtained during your session, and a digital copy of your ultrasound video (if purchased). You can download these files directly to your phone or computer. Note that shared links to download images and videos are only valid for 30 days.

We do not contact your physician or midwife as our services are elective in nature and for entertainment purposes only. We do require that you are under prenatal care and if you have any questions or concerns about your pregnancy or baby, you should ask your physician or midwife.

Most of the time we are able to get great images, but not always. Fetal position is the number one determination of your image quality. Some babies come ready for viewing and great images are obtained. Others simply turn their back or cuddle up to the placenta or the uterine wall or insist on putting their hands and feet in front of their face. Every baby scans differently, depending on its gestational age, position, amount of fluid, and mother's condition. We will to our best to make your baby move in order to see and image the face. Drinking juice or eating a little candy may help the baby move a little better that day so you can get better images.

It is our number one priority at Apple of My Eye to obtain the absolute best images of your baby and make sure you are satisfied to the fullest. We use the top of the line ultrasound equipment to ensure this, however, some factors that determine the outcome of your ultrasound are out of our control such as: location of your placenta, the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding your baby, the position of the baby, the clarity of the amniotic fluid, the baby's position, and the overall fetal environment. If we are unable to determine the gender of your child or obtain 3D/4D HD images at your scheduled appointment due to these factors mentioned above, you will be asked to reschedule and come back for a second appointment within the next 14 days at no charge.

Breech position is when the baby's head is located at the top of your uterus and feet are down. If you do know that your baby is breech prior to your 3D/4D ultrasound, we do advise you to reschedule your appointment a few weeks later to allow more time for the baby to turn. Good pictures can be obtained with breech babies, but they are not guaranteed. However some babies remain breech until very late in the pregnancy or never turn, if this is the case you can still do a 3D/4D HD ultrasound and we should be able to get quality images if you have plenty of amniotic fluid.

No. Apple of My Eye Imaging Studio provides non-diagnostic ultrasound experiences for entertainment, bonding, and keepsake purposes only.

We do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or interpretation of ultrasound images. During your session, we capture and share special moments, but any observations are descriptive and experience-based, not medical in nature.

For your safety and peace of mind, we always recommend that you continue care with your physician or midwife. Only your healthcare provider can interpret ultrasound images, confirm development, or answer medical questions about your pregnancy.

If you ever have concerns or questions about your pregnancy, we encourage you to contact your provider directly.