What to know before your Ultrasound
Ultrasounds: What You Need To Know
Preparing for your ultrasound is an exciting part of the journey, and knowing what to expect can help you feel more comfortable and confident when you arrive. At Catching Glimpses 4D Ultrasound & Boutique in Effingham, IL, we want every family to enjoy a stress-free, memorable experience—whether you’re scheduling a 2D ultrasound to hear your baby’s heartbeat, a 3D/4D session to see their tiny features, or a special gender reveal.
A little preparation goes a long way. From simple tips like staying hydrated to understanding what affects the clarity of your images, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know before your appointment. This page will help you get ready, answer common questions, and ensure you make the most of this special moment.
What can I do to prepare for my ultrasound?
HYDRATE! The more hydrated your body is, the clearer the images of your baby will be. The average person’s body is made up of 60% water. Ultrasound waves travel through your body tissues to get to the baby to make a picture of your baby. The waves bounce off tissues and return to the ultrasound probe to create a picture. Water is a conductor and allows ultrasound waves to pass through more smoothly without causing “static” in the picture. So, the more hydrated the cells of your body are, the clearer the image of your baby. We recommend you start pushing fluids starting 1-2 days before your appointment through the time of the appointment.
–For 1st trimester ultrasounds, you will need a completely full bladder during your appointment. We have a restroom you may use as soon as your appointment is over.
–For 2nd and 3rd trimester ultrasounds, try to drink some cold water or fruit juice (unless not recommended by your medical provider) 30 minutes prior to your ultrasound. This can help wake baby up for your ultrasound.
How can I be sure to get the best pictures?
Follow the instructions for hydration as stated above. If there is a specific photo you are hoping to get, make sure you let your sonographer know prior to your ultrasound so they can do their best to get the photo your desire the most.
There are many things that are out of the sonographer’s control, such as the baby’s position, the mother’s skin type and build, the placement of the placenta, the amount of amnionic fluid, where the baby’s extremities or umbilical cord are lying, etc.)
We offer a free comeback policy at the discretion of the sonographer if we are unable to get you the minimum amount of printed pictures stated in your package.
To help maximize your chances of getting the best pictures, there are a few things you can do before your appointment:
- Stay hydrated: This is possibly the most important step you can take to prepare for your Ultrasound. Drinking plenty of water in the days leading up to your appointment can drastically improve the clarity of the amniotic fluid, which often results in sharper images.
- Drink Juice Right Before: Having a juice or a drink of ice cold water about 20–30 minutes before your session may encourage your baby to move into a more photogenic position.
- Wear comfortable clothing: Choose loose-fitting clothes so you’ll be relaxed and at ease during your ultrasound.
- Arrive on time: Arriving a few minutes early gives you time to settle in and make the most of your session without feeling rushed.
These simple steps, along with our free comeback policy, mean you can enjoy peace of mind and look forward to a special experience.
Is anyone allowed to come with me to my ultrasound?
YES!! We encourage you to bring family and friends with you to your appointment to share in the special bonding moments you get with your baby during your ultrasound.
We do not have a limit on the number of people allowed to come with you, but we regularly have seating for up to 9-10 people. With advanced notice, we can have seating for up to 15.
If your loved ones are not able to make it for your appointment time, we do have the option to add on a video of your ultrasound to your package or to live-stream the ultrasound to the loved ones of your choice. If you are interested in the live-streaming, please let us know prior to the day of your appointment so we have enough time to set it up. This option may not be available if asked to add on at the time of your appointment.
What Can I Expect To See?
Seeing Your Baby Through the Different Stages of Pregnancy
Every ultrasound session is a special opportunity to connect with your baby before birth. As your little one grows, their appearance changes dramatically, and each stage of pregnancy offers unique glimpses that can be captured in your ultrasound images. From the first tiny flicker of a heartbeat to seeing their detailed facial expressions, understanding what to expect at different stages can help you prepare, manage expectations, and fully enjoy the experience. Whether this is your first ultrasound or you’re returning for a 3D/4D keepsake session, knowing how your baby may appear at each stage allows you to anticipate the most memorable moments and cherish every detail.
Every pregnancy is unique, and the way your baby appears in the ultrasound can vary from session to session. By understanding the typical stages, you can set expectations and enjoy every special glimpse of your little one.
At 8 Weeks
At 8 weeks, you’ll see a tiny fetal pole that looks like a small peanut-shaped structure. At this stage, the baby’s heartbeat can already be detected, making it an exciting first glimpse of your little one.
At 9–10 Weeks
By 9–10 weeks, the fetal pole has grown, and small limb buds may be visible. You might even catch them moving! This stage gives a clearer sense of your baby’s early development.
At 11–14 Weeks
Between 11–14 weeks, the baby’s profile becomes visible, with arms and legs more developed and moving more frequently. This is a great time to record your baby’s heartbeat for a keepsake heartbeat animal!
At 15-20 Weeks
Between 15–20 weeks, your baby’s features are more defined. You may see little fingers & toes, and notice more movement. This is a popular time for gender reveal ultrasounds, as the anatomy is usually visible.
At 20–25 Weeks
At 20–25 weeks, baby is rapidly becoming more developed and can be seen moving in 4D. Most, if not all, of baby’s body can be seen on one screen making a 4D ultrasound fun to get to watch all of baby’s little movements!
At 25–30 Weeks
At 25–30 weeks, an ultrasound provides a clear view of your baby’s growth and development. During this stage, you may see detailed facial features, active movements such as stretching or kicking, and sometimes even expressions like yawning or smiling.
At 30–35 Weeks
At 30-35 weeks, it’s time for baby’s close up! This is the best time to get a close of up of the baby’s face and see the facial structures in more detail than ever before. Due to the rapid growth at this stage, baby’s face will take up the whole screen!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept insurance?
No, we do not accept insurance.
How can I pay for my ultrasound?
Payment is due at the time of service. You will pay for your ultrasound at the end of your session, and we accept cash, check, or credit. For Credit/debit cards, there is a 3% card processing fee added to the total of your bill. If you would like to gift an ultrasound, we can always send you an invoice before the appointment that can be paid ahead of time, or you may purchase a gift card online or in our store (call or message us for store hours)
What is the difference between 2D, 3D, 4D, and HD ultrasounds?
2D is a regular ultrasound, just showing the baby's silhouette and used to monitor groeth, heartbeat, and position of baby. 3D is a multidimensional still image of a moment in time. 4D is a video of a baby in 3D. HD turns a 3D/4D image into a more realistic, life-like looking image.
4D video at 22 Weeks
Are 3D/4D/HD ultrasounds safe for me and my baby?
Absolutely. 3D, 4D, and HD ultrasounds use the same frequency as diagnostic imaging centers/hospitals/clinics use for 2D ultrasounds. Ultrasound has been used diagnostically for pregnancy for over 40 years, and no detrimental effects to mother or baby have been found in over 40 years of case studies. The Federal Food and Drug Administration has determined that the use of medical ultrasound equipment for other than medical purposes, without a physician’s prescription, is an unapproved use. Catching Glimpses follows FDA recommendations for frequency (sound waves) and length of scan, which has found no detrimental effects in 40 years of case studies.
When is the best time to have an ultrasound?
This answer is different for every mother, depending on what you are interested in seeing. Early in the first trimester, you can first see a bean-shaped structure with a flickering heartbeat in the middle starting at 8 weeks in 2D in our studio, getting to see and hear the heartbeat for the first time is a cherished memory. Then, you start to see a profile and little arms, legs, hands, and feet around 10 weeks in 2D. Starting at 15-20 weeks (depending on baby size), you can see the whole baby in one picture in 2D, 3D, and 4D, and this is the best time to see baby’s gender by ultrasound. At 25-34 weeks, you start to see a more detailed face and can distinguish facial features in 3D and 4D. At 30+ weeks, your baby develops more fat and gets more defined facial structures. 30-34 weeks is the best time for a close up of the facial structures of the baby in 3D/4D/HD. After 34 weeks, it becomes difficult to obtain good pictures since the baby is running out of room and will start to drop into the pelvis. However, all babies and mommas are different, and we have been successful in obtaining wonderful images beyond 35 weeks too.
How early can you determine the gender of my baby?
Doing a gender determination ultrasound too early provides low-accuracy results. At Catching Glimpses Ultrasound, giving you the most accurate result is our top priority. The most reliable time to determine gender by ultrasound is generally considered to be between 15-22 weeks. Even during this time, there may be factors out of the sonographer’s control that affect the ability to clearly see and determine the gender of the baby. Things like the baby’s position and growth, and the mother’s body and tissue types, can hinder the visualization of the baby’s gender. If this occurs, we have our Free Comeback Policy to try again.