SAFETY OF A 3D ULTRASOUND

I'd like to clarify why a 3D ultrasound is so contraversial. Why do some doctors recommend them, while others shy away from the ultrasound.

3D ultrasound uses the same frequency as regular ultrasound, so there is no increased risk to your baby. But what about regular ultrasound, are there any potentially hazardous side effects?

Ultrasound has been around for 30+ years. There has never been a proven side effect on a baby. There have been studies on rats, which exposed to ultrasound for half of their gestation period (their gestational period is only 19 days,) which has shown effects on their fetuses. Can we translate that into human fetuses? I don't think so. One can not compare oranges and apples. A rat is much smaller, an ultrasound probe would probably cover its whole body. No human mother is subjected to ultrasound continuously for half of their pregnancy.

Increased ultrasound has also been connected to increased left handedness in males in some obscure study, I think in Holland.

Since there are no known effects on a human fetus, the FDA does not approve of an ultrasound that is not medically neccessary. 3D ultrasound is not medically neccessary. It does have psychological benefits between baby and mom/dad/family.

Would I get a 3D ultrasound anyway? YOU BET!!

DO I NEED A FULL BLADDER FOR MY 3D ULTRASOUND?

The answer is no. We do recommend drinking plenty of fluids (preferably water) for a few days prior to your 3D sonogram. This has nothing to do with a full bladder. Drinking fluids increases amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is needed to get CLEAR face shots of your baby.
So drink plenty, but don't keep a full bladder!

If you're wondering why do you have to have a full bladder for your regular sonogram:
A full bladder is needed to see and measure the cervix properly. This is to make sure that there is no cervical incompetancy. After 18-20 weeks it is not neccessary to have a full bladder as the cervix is more visible.