Ultrasound FAQ's
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The questions listed below are the most frequently asked questions regarding our limited diagnostic prenatal ultrasounds. We hope this page will answer all of your questions. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to Contact Us at 850-792-5433.
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Q: What is your Covid-19 policy for guests?
Pregnant mom and five (5) additional guests can fit comfortably in our ultrasound room (we can accommodate more upon request). Masks are OPTIONAL for our guests, however, First Glance staff will wear masks at all times. We allow children to attend, as long as there is someone supervising at all times (we must protect the equipment and keep germs isolated for sanitation in between clients).
*Not a COVID policy*
> We allow clients to use their cell phone(s) to live stream or record videos.
Q: What is an ultrasound experience like at First Glance?
"I visited First Glance at 29 weeks and purchased the Platinum Package so I got to come back at 35 weeks for a last look for only $50. Jarrod and Christina are not only professional but so sweet and genuine. They truly were one of the brightest experiences of our pregnancy and I would do it every single pregnancy without a second thought. If you are thinking about making an appointment, you 100% will not regret it and it will be something you will always remember. It is a bonding experience for you, your baby, your significant other, and any of your other family members you bring. You can honestly tell that they love and appreciate their job and I am so thankful for the precious memories I received from visiting them both times that will last forever, from the stuffed animal with my baby girl’s heartbeat from the first visit, the DVD I received of the entire session from both visits, all of the pictures, and all of Jarrod’s jokes and positivity. I will forever appreciate the opportunity of seeing my baby before she makes her grand appearance thanks to First Glance. It is something every mother should have the opportunity to experience. I can’t wait to show my baby girl her in her mommy’s belly in a few years. Thank you First Glance, Jarrod, and Christina!"
- Ms. Kat Anton, Tallahassee, Florida (google review 12/29/2021)
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Q: What is a limited diagnostic prenatal ultrasound?
We offer a Live-motion elective 2D / 3D / 4D / HD-Live ultrasounds in order to provide a positive bonding experience between parents and their unborn baby. We feel that realistic surface images provide a connection between the parents and baby that can be beneficial to the whole family. Limited diagnostic prenatal ultrasounds provide basic data information about the baby and your pregnancy including heartrate, number of gestations, placental location, position of baby, and gender. Limited diagnostic ultrasounds should be viewed as an addendum to, not a substitution for, the Level 1 Screening Ultrasound typically performed before week 12 by your physician. The ultrasound performed in this exam is not used to better assess the baby for abnormalities. A routine diagnostic examination must have already been completed to assess the gestational age of the baby and for screening of genetic disorders and anomalies.
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Q: Does this replace the ultrasound at my doctor's office?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! Women seeking an elective prenatal ultrasound with First Glance 3D / 4D / HD Ultrasound Studio must already be receiving prenatal care with a healthcare provider to confirm their due date, screen for fetal anomalies, and to diagnose any other pregnancy related issues.
We include a limited diagnostic scan to confirm the gender, number of babies, baby's presentation, placental location and measure the heart rate. Please note, at no time is this exam to be used in place of a complete diagnostic ultrasound.
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Q: Is it safe? Are there any risks to me, or my baby?
Over 40+ years of extensive studies have found that ultrasound technology has not been shown to cause any maternal or fetal harm. Routine scanning of all pregnancies is now a normal procedure throughout the United States. In 3D / 4D / HD ultrasound scans, we use the EXACT same type and intensity of ultrasonic waves as used in conventional 2D scanning.
The combination of increased data gathering (listening) by the transducer and software interpretation after data acquisition creates these amazing 3D / 4D / HD images and not a higher intensity, frequency or ‘power' output. Our guidelines dictate the systems to be used in the Obstetric Application Mode. This mode is capped by the manufacturer (GE) below the FDA limits for exposure. In fact, the system takes simultaneous 2D scans in sagittal, coronal and transverse planes and the software renders the 3D / 4D / HD images. We highly recommend that you discuss with your doctor any concerns you may have regarding the safety of 3D / 4D / HD ultrasounds.
Published studies on ultrasounds can be reviewed below on Dr. Joseph Woo's world-renowned website, a highly respected source of information on maternal-fetal medicine.
www.ob-ultrasound.net
www.ob-ultrasound.net/studies.html
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Q: What kind of ultrasound equipment do you use to perform the 2D / 3D / 4D / HD-Live ultrasound?
We use the state-of-the-art technology – the GE Voluson E8™. This GE system has been shown in TV commercials and featured in many articles from around the world. It is THE machine to perform live-motion ultrasounds. Please note, many centers claim to use "state-of-the-art" equipment, when in fact they use older, inferior technology or do software upgrades for 4D configuration. This compromises the quality of images. Unquestionably, it's the machine that makes the biggest difference in 4D & HD technology.
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Q: Do I need to make an appointment for a 3D / 4D / HD-Live Ultrasound?
Yes, appointments are necessary for all of our services. We are open most evenings until 7P and we are also open on Saturdays for your convenience. We encourage you to schedule your appointment in advance. Same day appointments are often available, please call/text to secure a last minute appointment.
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Q: How long does the 3D / 4D / HD-Live prenatal ultrasound session take?
Depending on the package you choose, the session will last between 10 and 30 minutes. However, we require 10 minutes for registration/eligibility and 10 minutes after the scan for printing pictures and formatting the DVD/CD.
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Q: How far along should I be before I have a 3D / 4D / HD-Live ultrasound?
If you plan on having only one session, we recommend having the scan performed between 24 and 34 weeks. However, excellent images can be obtained from 18 to 38 weeks. Many mothers take advantage of our return visit discount rate in order to see the baby's growth from the second trimester into the third trimester. For twins, we recommend scans before 30 weeks.
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Q: Will I always get beautiful ultrasound images?
In most cases you will. Every baby scans differently, depending on the gestational age, position, amount of fluid, placental location and mother's body habitus. We promise to make every effort to obtain the best images. Sometimes if the baby's position is face down, i.e., towards your spine, it may be difficult to see the baby's face. In this case, a complimentary rescan will be scheduled. The scan images may not be similar to those you saw elsewhere or even from our center. Every scan is unique and cannot be predetermined. Hydration is extremely important when it comes to 3D & 4D scanning. We recommend drinking plenty of water throughout your pregnancy, however, for those beautiful images of your baby, please be sure you are drinking plenty of water 3-4 days prior to your scan. Hydration will help contribute to getting those crisp images you see most facilities use for advertisement. Our staff is highly trained and we have been very successful with getting our babies to cooperate. Check out our "Photo Gallery" for examples of our scans. :)
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Q: Can I bring family and friends for the any ultrasound session?
Yes. In fact, we encourage you to invite family (including siblings) and friends to attend. This is a wonderful and educational experience that will linger in your memories for a lifetime. Our studio was made for your comfort. We have seating for 6+ people (for larger groups, just call ahead).
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Q: Can you determine the gender during my ultrasound session?
Yes, in almost all cases we provide confirmation of your baby's gender (only if requested). However, if the baby is uncooperative during the session and we are unable to confirm gender ID, we will schedule a complimentary repeat scan at a later date/time.
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Q: Does Insurance cover the ultrasound procedure performed at your facility?
At this point, insurance does not cover this as it's a limited diagnostic procedure and is not intended to be a replacement for your physician ordered ultrasound. You will need to pay this as an out of pocket expense. We gladly accept cash, Visa, MasterCard and debit cards.
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Q: How much does it cost to receive the 3D / 4D / HD-Live ultrasound pictures?
We have various packages to fit anyone's budget. Please refer to the Pricing section for our packages.
We recommend that you call us for a price comparison since we do have seasonal discounts.
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