What is 3D and 4D Ultrasound?
3D are the still images that will show you the surface of your baby – much like a photograph. 4D is live motion video images of your baby in motion – much like a movie. 3D images are captured in photographs (black & white or sepia) or CD. 4D video is captured on VHS or DVD. Both 3D images and 4D video will be provided as part of your Tate Diagnostic experience. The media available is dictated by the package you choose or which options you select. Please talk a look at our “Photos and Video” page for examples of both 3D and 4D.

What is a regular 2D Ultrasound?
These are the ultrasound procedures most women receive as part of their regular prenatal care. 2D ultrasound images are black & white and to the usual observer the baby images appear “skeletal”.

What are the Prices?
Packages range in price from $150 to $250. More information about what is included is on the pricing page.

Will my insurance cover my 3D ultrasound?
Since we are a full diagnostic ultrasound imaging center your insurance will cover a portion of your 3D ultrasound ONLY IF your physician is refering you for a COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC EXAM. This means that your physician is reffering you to our facility WITH A PRESCRIPTION FOR A MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC EXAM AND we are CONTRACTED WITH YOUR INSURANCE (Most insurance accepted. Please call to see if we accept your insurance). At that point you may add the 3D/4D experience, DVD recording, color photos, and black and white photos to your medical exam. The cost of this is only $50.00. The $50 covers the expense of the DVD and the photographs. This is not required. The 3D/4D does not increase the ability to detect abnormalities during your diagnostic exam. The 3D/4D only helps you to see the structures of your baby in a way that you are familiar with. When it is time for you to have your medical diagnostic ultrasound tell your doctor to send you to Tate Diagnostic.

Is it safe? Are there any risks to me, or my baby?
The key to safty is the qualifications of the sonographer performing the exam and the maintence of the machine. Not all 3D/4D facilities have qualified RDMS LICENSED sonographers performing the exam. Trained by or supervised by an RDMS sonographer is NOT the same thing. At Tate Diagnostic all of our exams are performed ONLY by RDMS sonographers. Together they have over 35 years of experience. Since we are a Medical Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging Facility we are required by law to maintain the operation of our machine to certian standards. Non-medical 3D imaging offices are NOT required to maintain their equipment. Without the proper education they may not know if their machine is operating within the safe range. These non-medical facilities are the reason for the FDA's concern.

Extensive studies over 30 years have found that ultrasound has not been shown to cause any harm to mother or baby. Routine scanning of all pregnancies is now a normal procedure. 3D/4D scanning uses exactly the same type and intensity of ultrasound as in conventional 2D diagnostic scanning. 3D/4D sonogram utilizes sound waves to look inside the body. A probe placed on the abdomen (non-invasive) emits sound waves and absorbs the return echo to generate 3-dimensional (still) and 4-dimensional (video) images, similar to a conventional 2D scan in terms of exposure.

How qualified is Tate Diagnostic to perform 3D Ultrasound Exams?
We use exclusively registered, diagnostic medical sonographers (RDMS) who are licensed in conventional 2D Ultrasound, and are then further trained in 3D/4D Obstetrical Ultrasound. Our sonographers have been scanning clinically for over 35 years and have performed thousands of 2D scans. In the unlikely case of an abnormality, only the mother’s physician, not the mother, receives a report regarding potential abnormalities. Tate Diagnostic is also a full diagnostic imaging center.

When can I make an appointment?
Our services are generally available Monday through Saturday with evening appointments on Wednesday.

How many weeks into the pregnancy due you have to be for a Tate Diagnostic session?
This depends on how you would like to see your baby. Before 24 weeks, babies have the room to move around a lot, which makes for a fun video. However, babies have a more skeletal appearance at this stage. From 24 – 40 weeks, babies are developing the fat layer that fills in their features so you will see more facial detail at this time. Some of our clients come in when they are 17 – 24 weeks and come back for a second visit when they are 28 – 40 weeks. To get an idea of what you will see at the different stages of your pregnancy visit our photos and videos page.

Will I always get beautiful 3D ultrasound pregnancy pictures?
In most cases you will. We only have 1-2% of the babies who "miss behave" and have to return for a repeat visit. Sometimes if the baby is persistently looking face down, i.e., towards your spine, it may be difficult to see the baby's face. If this happens we may ask you to roll to the left or to the right or other maneuvers during the scan to optimize the view. Every baby scans differently, depending on the gestational age, position, amount of fluid, placental location and characteristics of the mother's body. Echogenecity is a term used to define a subject (in this case, body) which scans. However, we promise to make every effort to obtain the best images. All packages come with “Another Look” option that allows for an inexpensive repeat visit.

Can you tell me the sex of my baby?
Yes, if you are at least 17 weeks with 99.9% accuracy. We guarantee, by the time you leave our office, you will know the sex of your baby.

How long will the session last?
Our scans are limited to 20 minutes for the Emerald & Diamond Packages, 10 minutes for the Ruby package. Allow 25 – 30 minutes for the entire session. We know your time is very valuable as is ours. Please help us to start on time by arriving 10 min. before your appointment to complete your paperwork. This includes any family or friends that want to attend the session. We are on time if all of our patients are on time.

Can I bring family members to watch?
Absolutely – We encourage to share in the experience with anyone you’d like. This is your ultrasound! We have comfortable seating for 6 adults and standing room for a couple others.

How long do I have to wait for my pictures and videos?
You will walk out of your appointment with all your pictures, videos, CDs and DVDs that are included with the package your choose.

How does the Girlfriend Package work?
If you have a friend or family that is pregnant too you both can recieve a package upgrade ($50 savings) when you purchase your packages at the same time. You and your girlfriend can be seen on different days or book them together and share in each others experience. The Girlfriend Upgrade is not applicable for the Ruby package.

What kind of ultrasound equipment do you use to perform the 3D 4D ultrasound?
We use the state of the art technology – the GE Voluson 730™ Expert to complete all ultrasound exams. The GE Voluson 730™ Expert has been shown in TV commercials and featured in many articles from around the world, and is the best ultrasound machine to perform 3D 4D live-motion imaging. 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 3D and 4D configuration. This compromises the quality of images.

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