The Coolest Job in Town

Imagine being able to see your baby’s movements and detailed facial features long before she or he is born! Ultrasound with 2D technology has been used for decades to monitor fetal growth and health. Recently, 3D/4D technology has surfaced to offer expectant families a three-dimensional look at their beautiful “miracle” as the baby is developing. In 3D scanning, instead of the sound waves being sent straight down and reflected back, they are sent at different angles. The returning echoes are processed by the computer program to create a reconstructed, three-dimensional, volume image of the fetus' surface and internal organs. Distinct features, and even facial expressions, can usually be captured with this process. The 4D ultrasound is the most advanced method that captures moving, detailed, video images of the baby in utero.

Meet Joey Doyle. She has the coolest job in town. She gets to “photograph” and video record the movements of babies growing in their mother’s wombs. Her equipment is a sophisticated, computerized ultrasound machine with a hand-held transducer that gently glides back and forth across the pregnant mom’s tummy. The computer is connected to a large flat screen TV in the room, so that mom, dad and the entire family can get up close and personal with the newest member. The baby’s tiny features are clearly visible on the screen.

Joey provides a strip of photos to the family immediately after the session, along with a CD of photos and a DVD of the baby’s movement during the session. Family members who cannot be present are able to participate via Skype or FaceTime. This provides an early bonding opportunity for dads-to-be who are deployed in the Armed Forces, and for siblings, grandparents and other relatives and friends to be a part of the excitement. For anyone who is not available in real time, the photos and videos can be sent via email, YouTube or Vimeo, and even uploaded to Facebook!

Joey first discovered this technology a little over a year ago. She and her husband Chad were expecting their second child. “We were in total awe during our first 3D/4D ultrasound experience. It was a moment that brought joyful tears to our eyes. We were amazed to see our son’s distinct features and even watch him yawn and move his hands inside the womb. Meeting our son before his birth was a true blessing—a blessing we wanted to share with other families across the Lowcountry.” Thus, Carolina Baby 3D was born! Joey proudly displays framed photos of her son in utero on the waiting room wall.

I was invited to experience a session with Rena, a 40-year-old first-time mom who, at 36 weeks gestation, was having her fourth 3D/4D ultrasound. Rena’s pregnancy was considered high risk because of her age. These sessions gave her and her family an extra measure of relief and comfort, being able to see that Emma’s development is normal. Everyone in the room was ecstatic when Emma appeared on the TV screen. We could all see her exquisitely formed face, nose, lips and chin. She even opened her eyes for us.

At 16 weeks, the ability to determine the sex is said to be 99 percent using 3D/4D ultrasound technology. Many mothers like coming in twice: First between 16 and 26 weeks, when they can see the baby as a whole, and again between 25 and 34 weeks to see a more detailed face. Between 28 and 32 weeks, the baby develops more fat and gets a more defined face. Clear images are often possible all the way to the end of pregnancy, depending on the position of the baby, the placenta, and the amount of amniotic fluid present around the face.

The 3D/4D ultrasound sessions are considered an elective procedure, in most cases, and are not covered by insurance. The average cost of a session ranges from $150 to $300. Many 3D/4D imaging companies offer gift certificates. There are no documented risks to the fetus and the procedure is painless.

Brad Keisling and his wife Beckie are expecting their fifth child. They have experienced the 3D/4D ultrasound phenomenon for three of their children. He described it as “amazing” and “beyond words.” He said that actually seeing this little human being inside his wife’s uterus definitely created a very strong bond and enhanced anticipation of the actual birth, not only for his wife and himself, but also for the siblings and other family members. Soon-to-be-born Adelyn is being related to as if she were already here. They are anxiously waiting for September for her arrival to meet her in person.

As I was leaving Carolina Baby, a pregnant mom and her husband, accompanied by one set of parents and their six-year-old daughter, arrived. Excitement was written all over their faces. They were about to meet the newest member of their family for the first time. Joey said that often, during the sessions, tears of joy stream down everyones' faces, including hers. What a wonderful way to spend your workday—being a gift to others.