3D/4D Ultrasound

Although it certainly isn't necessary, Michael and I wanted to get a 3D/4D ultrasound of the baby.  My regular doctor's office doesn't offer them, so I had asked around and our friend, Kiley, recommended a place in Huntington Beach called Prenatal Ultrasound of California that she went to when she was pregnant with her daughter.  

Our appointment there was for this morning at 11am.  When we first saw her, it looked like she was sleeping and nuzzled up against me, so it was hard to see her face.  After trying to get a good view of her, the technician recommended that I get up and move around a bit to hopefully wake her up.  Sure enough, she's just like me and being moved around only puts her to sleep even more.  When we took a look at her again, she was still asleep.  The tech poked at her a bit, and it looked like she got mad and turned around and buried her face into the placenta.  :(  We were so sad because our session was timed and if she wasn't cooperating, it'd basically be a waste of money if we couldn't get some good pictures of her.  

We were so surprised because the technician told us that she would reschedule us for free for a different time!   She recommended that before we do the next ultrasound, I should drink some cold orange juice. Since today was our only real day off together, she said we could come back later on in the afternoon at 4:30.  So we left and ran some errands and did some shopping. 

When we came back with my orange juice in hand, she took us right in and got started right away.  I guess the orange juice worked because the baby woke up and we caught her moving around and stretching....but most importantly, she was more cooperative and showed her face!  It was amazing to see her in such great detail!  Here are just a few of the pictures we got of her:

Michael and I both think she looks a lot like me.  She's got my cheeks, the shape of my face, and my lips.  We're a little undecided on the nose....my sister in convinced it looks more like Michael's.  She's also got long fingers-- definitely a Neal family quality.  The technician showed us in the one of the pictures that she's already got a good amount of hair growing too.... :)

Again, getting a 3D/4D ultrasound is certainly unnecessary.  There is no direct medical benefit of getting it done, which is why doctors don't routinely do them, and why insurance companies don't cover it.  It does nothing except let parents get a detailed look of the baby.  However, we're so glad we did.  :)  We got to see what our little lady looks like, so we can have a better idea who we're talking to, and who's been kicking and poking at us.  Also, maybe letting us see her face can help us with picking a name for her.  Plus...when she grows up, we've got all these great mementos to show her of when she was in her mommy's tummy!

A quick review of our experience with Prenatal Ultrasound of California:  The package we paid for included 20 pictures on a CD, 9- 2x3 prints and 8 - 3x4 prints,  and a DVD of the entire session, up to 20 minutes.  We got over 80 pictures on a CD, a DVD of both sessions (the morning and later in the afternoon), and about 3 times as many pictures as we were supposed to receive.  We were VERY pleased with the Ultrasound company and I am going to write a letter to thank them for their patience and flexibility with us!  Excellent customer service, and the quality of the experience and product we received was well worth our time and money!  I'd definitely recommend them!