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  • When is the best time during pregnancy to have an ultrasound?
    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 "close-up" session!
  • Why should I have an ultrasound?
    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.
  • How long is the ultrasound session?
    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.
  • What should I do prior to the ultrasound?
    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).
  • How accurate are you at determining the sex of the baby?
    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.
  • What is the difference between 3D ultrasound and 4D ultrasound?
    A 3D ultrasound is a still image while a 4D ultrasound adds the dimension of motion so it looks like a video.
  • Is 3D and 4D ultrasound safe for me and my baby?
    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.
  • What can I expect in 4D ultrasound at different stages of 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.
  • How can I ensure the best possible ultrasound pictures?
    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.
  • When do I receive my pictures and videos?
    Less than 5 minutes after your session has ended.
  • Will my doctor by contacted about the ultrasound?
    We do not contact your doctor prior to the scan since this is an elective procedure. If we do see something wrong during the scan, we contact your doctor and send them the report. We do require that you are under prenatal care and if you have any concerns, you should ask your doctor. Ultrasound technicians in general cannot make a diagnosis.
  • Will I always get great images of my baby?
    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 on that day of imaging.
  • What if we are not able to get any baby 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 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.
  • What if my baby is breech?
    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.
  • Do you accept insurance?
    No, we do not accept insurance because this is an elective procedure.
  • What is your facility like?
    We pride ourselves on being an inviting, relaxing, comfortable, and spacious environment for you and your family. We are located in an easy-to-access office building, rather than sterile medical facilities. We can comfortably seat up to 10 people in our studio for your session.
  • Are family and friends welcome to join?
    Yes! We encourage you to bring your friends and family to share this special moment with you. Children are also welcome and we provide them with plenty of toys and books to keep them entertained. At our Mansfield, OH location our ultrasound room can comfortably seat 10 people, but more are welcome if they would like to stand and watch. The ultrasound is projected onto a 70" screen so that everyone is able to see with ease.
  • How can I pay for the ultrasound?
    We currently accept all major credit/debit cards and cash.
  • What is your cancellation and refund policy?
    Cancellations - We kindly request 24 hours notice if you need to cancel your appointment. If canceled less than 24 hours before your appointment, or you are a "no-show" for your scheduled appointment, we reserve the right to charge you a $20 cancellation or no-show fee. We may also require a deposit if you desire to book again. Refunds - No refunds will be given once services of any type are provided or rendered. If you attend an ultrasound session and the ultrasound technician is unable to obtain reasonable images, you may be permitted to rebook for a return session at no-cost. Please note that the option to rebook at no-cost is at the discretion of the ultrasound technician. Quality of imaging can be dependent on many factors, including but not limited to: baby's position, the mother's amount of fat tissue surrounding the abdomen, the amount and clarity of the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby, the baby's size, and the location and size of the placenta.

Meet the Apple of your Eye

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