Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Lisa Belkin: The Tornado In Oklahoma Is This Parent's Living Nightmare
Jenn Horton: Every Mom Deserves Your Nod
British Soccer Star Has Ultrasound Party
Filed under: Health & Safety: Babies, Celeb Parents, In The News, Pregnancy Health
Coleen and Wayne Rooney shared their ultrasound with friends and family. Credit: X17online
For most, childbirth and everything leading up to it is a private affair. For others, it's a public display of affection.
Wayne and Coleen Rooney, a famous British couple (Wayne plays soccer for England and Manchester United), took the grainy ultrasound scan of their unborn baby to another level by hiring someone to come to their home and perform a 4D ultrasound for family and friends, according to the Daily Mail.
In other words, they entered... The Fourth Dimension. (Cue spooky music.)
What is a 4D ultrasound? Technically the procedure is a 3D ultrasound where the images are produced quickly enough to simulate video. (The fourth dimension is time, so the 4D refers to the images being produced in real time.)
The regular ultrasounds that most of us have experienced are sound waves bouncing back to the machine. Since the baby is moving, the image will have a blurriness similar to the what you get when taking low-resolution cell phone video of anything moving.
So a 4D ultrasound offers what some feel is a more accurate image of what is happening in the womb.
Since the 4D version of the scan does not give doctors and parents any more information about the fetus than the traditional 2D ultrasound, this is an elective procedure. The Rooneys reportedly paid £300, or about $500, to rent a sonographer and the necessary equipment. Had they done it in a doctor's office, they might have saved a few bucks. One provider of 4D ultrasounds offers packages that range from $99 to $199, depending on what you want to know and how far along you are in the pregnancy.
There are some risks involved. The fetus is being exposed to sound waves for a longer period of time with the 3D/4D ultrasound than they would with a 2D scan, and a 2006 study on mice showed some neurological changes with prolonged exposure to sound waves. Doctors generally feel that ultrasounds are safe as long as the scan lasts no longer than 30 minutes.
So what's next? 5D, of course. According to Wikipedia, "In 5D ultrasound, tissue density is the 5th dimension, and 5D ultrasounds may provide clearer pictures, more accurate images, and finer detail."
The Fifth Dimension is also the band that sang "Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In." Maybe they can cut a deal for the commercials.
Here is a video of a 4D ultrasound.
Would you have this procedure? And would you invite your friends and family over to see it?
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
- Discuss Derian douglas hickman's answer to: 01/16/2013 Order Sua Sponte to/for: Entered 2 day's before initial scheduling conference 01/16/2013
- Federal reserve board of governors appointments ( understanding owning a tv image )
- Does the dc superior court represent the irs in a civil filing or does the irs have attorneys?
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
My Pregnancy - Week 18
At this point, you are probably anxiously awaiting an upcoming doctor appointment. Usually, doctors will schedule an ultrasound between 18 and 20 weeks. For some women, this will be the only ultrasound they will have. You may be able to bring your partner, or another person, with you. You also may be able to get photos and/or video from the procedure. Check with your doctor to see what the policies are regarding the ultrasound.
-
My Pregnancy - Week 6
An electroencephalogram (EEG) can detect and monitor your baby's brain activity this week. An ultrasound would also be able to detect your baby's heartbeat! With the circulatory system well established, your baby's digestive and respiratory systems will also begin to form this week.
-
India's Missing Girls: Gender-Selective Abortions
Experts worry a portable ultrasound ban won't reduce sex-selective abortions.
-
'Divorcing' Your Family
Family experts say more adults are cutting their parents out of their lives. It's essentially a family divorce. Shouldn't people be trying harder to work it out?
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
8-25-2009 @ 11:55AM
mommiedear said...WOW!!! I have heard of sex toy parties and lingerie parties bridal showers and baby showers even working mom showers but this is news to me...I am nto sure how much fun it is to watch the baby moving on an ultrsound maybe for the mom and dad this is a unique and touching experience but it is yawn yawn click click to me...but of course if you have moneyt ot hrow away there will be people who will stand around and look verrry interested to see any spot of the wall yoiu want to show them. I think this is a little ridiculous and frankly silly to make a mockery of what should be a private moment. And ultra sound waves can be harmful to a child in the womb used often enough it can harm it. Not to mention going against every superstition in the book! Like most moms say very well on www.truuconfessions.com the line between sense and nonsense is blirring everyday! whats next!????
Reply
9-03-2009 @ 9:09AM
srghsrfgdr said...http://www.crispstyle.com
our price:
(Bikini)
coach chanel gucci LV handbags $32
coogi DG edhardy gucci t-shirts $15
CA edhardy vests.paul smith shoes $35
jordan dunk af1 max gucci shoes $33
EDhardy gucci ny New Era cap $15
coach okely CHANEL DG Sunglass $16
http://www.crispstyle.com
shipping!
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
www.crispstyle.com Sell:Ed/POLO tshirt$13,jean$30,handbag$35,jordan shoes$32,jean$30 Free shipping!
Reply
10-06-2009 @ 1:46PM
C.T. said...I remember when GE first introduced 4D ultrasounds, the ads showed one in progress, with the soundtrack being (I think)Roberta Flack singing "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". Very touching.
But frankly, I can only think of grandparents and siblings-to-be wanting to sit and watch this, other than the parents themselves. Life entertainment is not exactly live entertainment, even at a shower. I mean, you can't interact with or talk to a baby on video. Think about it.
Reply
10-06-2009 @ 1:47PM
C.T. said...BTW, polls get many more responses when you throw in a VOTE button!
Reply