Questions & Answers


Baby's facial features are the most clearly visible with 3D/4D/HD ultrasound starting around 28 weeks up to as late as 36 weeks.  It's fun to use one of our 2-visit packages to see how much baby grows during the pregnancy. For example, you could purchase our Platinum package & schedule your first session at 15 weeks for a gender check, then your second session at 30 weeks. OR if you already know gender it's fun to come at 28 weeks and AGAIN at 34 weeks to see how much baby grows & changes over that 6 week period.  If you plan to only come to 4D Sprouts just ONE TIME to see baby's face, then we always recommend you book for weeks 28-32 when possible.
Our services are non-refundable, but if we don't obtain any facial images at all, then you get the option to try again within 1-2 weeks later for a discounted price of $35. We truly strive to obtain the best photos of your baby. We schedule all ultrasound sessions a full hour apart to allow us time if we need it for mom to take a break, walk around, drink juice, etc. Sometimes it's just baby's positioning that prevents facial images; other times it could be the position of the placenta or a body tissue/scar tissue or high BMI issue. We advise moms to stay fully hydrated in the days and weeks leading up to the ultrasound session because hydration is also key in obtaining the clearest images of baby. If baby's positioning is uncooperative during your session for any facial images at all, we encourage you to consider the discounted $35 redo for a second try. We always schedule those at least 1 week, but not more than 2 weeks after the original session & they are forfeited if you don't show up for your appointment, are more than 15 minutes late, or give less than 24 hours' notice of cancellation or rescheduling. Due to the time and labor intensive nature of sonography, we are not able to provide refunds for the ultrasound services we provide. We ask that you please respect our business policies as they allow to stay open and provide our local families with this joyous service that we and our clients LOVE!
Yes, we only hire ARDMS Registered, Certified Sonographers and/or SDMS Sonographers with over 5 years of prenatal/fetal experience, and beyond that we provide additional safety training to ensure that all proper protocols are followed per the AIUM (American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine). For example, the AIUM strictly prohibits the use of pulse-wave doppler for 'hearing baby's heartbeat' or for 'heartbeat recordings' with ultrasounds prior to week 12 of pregnancy. We ALWAYS comply with safety guidelines such as this because the safety and health of you and your baby is the highest priority.
From a diagnostic perspective, your 4D Sprouts private prenatal ultrasound is limited to fetal heart rate measurement, fetal positioning, 3D visualization, and of course EARLY GENDER DETERMINATION. We offer our private ultrasound services earlier in the pregnancy, but if you desire gender determination we ask that you wait until you are 15 weeks into the pregnancy (keep in mind we offer DNA blood testing services for early gender determination as early as 8 weeks with 99.1% accuracy). Keep in mind that our services never replace the prenatal care services you obtain from your doctor, midwife, doula, clinic, and/or birthing center provider.
We offer first trimester ultrasounds starting at 8 weeks with limitations. Per the AIUM (American Institute for Ultrasound in Medicine) it is NOT SAFE to "listen" to baby's heartbeat in the first trimester. This is because the only way to "hear" baby's heartbeat is to use a doppler or the ultrasound machine's "pulse wave" technology - none of this is considered safe in the first trimester so we will only view and measure baby's heart rate in the first trimester. BABY'S SAFETY IS THE PRIORITY! If you want to "hear" baby's heartbeat or record it on your phone or purchase one of our "heartbeat recording plushies" please schedule your ultrasound for no earlier than week 12 of your pregnancy. As far as PREGNANCY CONFIRMATION, this is considered a medical diagnosis and should only be done under the supervision of an on-site licensed doctor. We do not have a doctor on-site at 4D Sprouts, so we can not legally diagnose pregnancy. For this reason we do not offer pregnancy confirmation ultrasounds. If your doctor, midwife, or clinic has already diagnosed your pregnancy then we are happy to provide a very brief and limited first trimester scan with the limits previously stated.
No, but keep in mind that our services never replace the prenatal care services you obtain from your doctor. From a diagnostic perspective, your 4D Sprouts private ultrasound is limited to fetal heart rate measurement, fetal positioning, and of course EARLY GENDER DETERMINATION. We offer our private ultrasound services earlier in the pregnancy, but if you desire gender determination we ask that you wait until you are 15 weeks into the pregnancy (keep in mind we offer DNA blood testing services for early gender determination as early as 8 weeks with 99.1% accuracy).
With our DNA blood testing 8 weeks, with our Ultrasounds starting at 15 weeks. Gender checks are included with all of our ultrasound packages, if desired. We can help you with your gender reveal surprise plans, too! For example, we can keep it a total secret or we can seal it in an envelope for you. We even offer gender reveal confetti cannons, balloons, and other cute gender reveal options starting at $15 plus sales tax.
We use the same newer, safer high-end equipment that many world class specialists use, the GE Voluson e8 Expert and we have invested in specialized training exclusively for this high-definition 3D/4D technology above & beyond traditional sonography education. We are part of the SDMS (Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers), follow safety protocols outlined by the AIUM (American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine), and we never exceed 30 minutes of continuous scanning per FDA safe practices guidelines. Certified professional and well-maintained ultrasound equipment like ours has been in use for many decades and has been proven to be beneficial with no documented harm to mom or baby as it does not expose mom or baby to radiation as, to quote the FDA, “ultrasound imaging (sonography) uses high-frequency sound waves to view inside the body. Unlike X-ray imaging, there is no radiation exposure associated with ultrasound imaging.” We regularly have our equipment maintained, inspected, and calibrated per the best safe practices guidelines that all ultrasound providers are advised to follow. We also take great care in keeping our equipment clean and sanitized. To learn more, visit: http://www3.gehealthcare.com/~/media/documents/us-global/education/education/product-education-technical/ultrasound/gehealthcare-education-catalog_ultrasound.pdf
4D Sprouts offers it all. We are known for achieving the best images and that's because we use the BEST equipment and technology, paired with our years of EXPERIENCE (the same experienced staff we have always had since we opened in 2013). HD-Live is an exclusive feature of the GE Healthcare equipment that produces the clear and realistic High-Definition ultrasound images that 4D Sprouts is known for. 5D is another term used when referring to this type of high-definition ultrasound, which is HD Live. 4D means we are capturing the 3D images "in motion" or "in real time" which allows us to obtain video footage of the 3D images. 2D is the traditional black & white type of ultrasound technology. 4D Sprouts uses it all and, depending on the package you select, all these different types of ultrasound technology may be used during your session with us.
Yes! We will see, listen to & even measure baby’s heartbeat to verify that it is within the normal fetal heartrate range. You’ll even have the opportunity to record baby’s heartbeat if you would like to do so. We feature the popular keepsake plush animals with baby's heartbeat recorded inside that can be added to any ultrasound package. NOTE: we always comply with AIUM guidelines, which state that heartbeat audio should only be done at 12 weeks and up. We can still see and measure baby's heartbeat prior to week 12, but the recordings of the sound have to wait.
We encourage our clients to invite family and friends of ALL AGES to all be in the same room together during the session. We have a large viewing screen and seating for the mom-to-be plus around 8 guests of all ages. This is a joyous and wonderful experience, one that can be shared with your family and loved ones. We only ask that you don't bring in food or drinks to our studio please; save those for your afterparty! As you might guess, we have many pregnant clients who can't bear certain food smells during this special time.
It's a combination of our years of experience, personalized service, safety/training & the newest BEST (high definition) equipment, actually. Since 2013 we have the same staff & have strived to give clients an amazing experience, from both customer service AND quality. We schedule all sessions a full hour apart so noone has to feel rushed & we use the newest technology available with our state of the art GE Voluson e8 Expert machine for all of our sessions. This is what makes 4D Sprouts ultrasound images so much different & better than the average 3D ultrasound. The GE Voluson e8 Expert is used by world class specialists & has been seen in GE television commercials and many printed articles from around the world. It is the new standard in ultrasound technology. This machine is the best 2D, 3D and 4D ultrasound machine available. Please note, many providers claim to use "state-of-the-art" equipment, when in fact they use older or inferior technology. You can really see the difference - just check out our image gallery for examples.
We are private-pay and do not accept insurance. We require appointments be booked online in advance and it will ask for credit/debit card information to reserve the appointment. Your card is NOT charged when you book your session online. You may pay at check-in by cash or any major credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express), but insurance is not accepted. If you want to prepay for your appointment in advance, we offer a "gift certificate" purchase option on our home page that will allow you to pay online with your card or with Paypal. You can also call us if you desire to prepay, but please book your appointment online first so we can update it and reflect it as paid in our system when you call. Health Savings Cards typically get declined because we are a private ultrasound provider without a physician on staff. Checks & money orders are not accepted. We are a private-pay facility and do not accept insurance.
They are stuffed animals with baby's heartbeat recorded inside. The 20 second heartbeat recording plays when you hug or squeeze them. They can be added to any ultrasound package, but are not sold alone. We can only record baby's heartbeat during the ultrasound session. You can also add-on tutus or bowties or outfits for them to wear!
Avoid scheduling your ultrasound session on the same day as your glucose test. Otherwise, eat & drink normally. No full bladder needed, but we recommend that in the days and weeks leading up to your ultrasound session, you drink 100 ounces of water and non-caffeinated fluids per day, every day. Well hydrated moms experience the best quality, clearest 3D/4D images. Drinking a lot of fluids on just the day before or on the day of your ultrasound does NOT help with image clarity. It's important to be hydrated for several days prior to your ultrasound session. Of course, you should strive to be properly hydrated every day anyway!
Ultrasound images are obtained from the "bounceback" of sound waves so every baby scans differently, depending on its gestational age, position, amount of fluid, and mom's body type and hydration level. Factors such as scar tissue and/or a high BMI can present challenges in obtaining clear images. We recommend every mom drink 100oz daily fluids & avoid caffeine in the days and weeks leading up to the 3D/4D ultrasound appointment. We promise to make every effort to obtain the best possible images of whatever parts of the baby that can be seen. We always schedule each ultrasound client session a full hour apart to allow us time if we need it for mom to take a break, walk around, drink juice, etc. Sometimes it's just baby's positioning that prevents facial images; other times it could be the position of the placenta or a body tissue/scar tissue or high BMI issue. If baby's positioning is uncooperative during your session for any facial images at all, we offer a discounted "redo" session within 2 weeks if you want to go for a second try. We always schedule those at least 1 week, but not more than 2 weeks after the original session. We advise moms to stay fully hydrated in the days and weeks leading up to the ultrasound session because hydration is key in obtaining the clearest images of baby.
This is what makes 4D Sprouts so much different than the average 3D ultrasound. We use the newest technology available with our state of the art GE Voluson e8 Expert machine for all of our sessions. The GE Voluson e8 Expert is used by world class specialists & has been seen in GE television commercials and many printed articles from around the world. It is the new standard in ultrasound technology. This machine is the best 2D, 3D and 4D ultrasound machine available. Please note, many providers claim to use "state-of-the-art" equipment, when in fact they use older or inferior technology. You can really see the difference - just check out our image gallery for examples.
Yes, we require you to schedule an appointment in advance. Walk-ins are not accepted. You may schedule your appointment online or call us if you prefer. Online scheduling is the best method and provides both email and text message confirmations and appointment reminders.
We offer ultrasound sessions by appointment only. Appointments may be scheduled online or by phone. Online scheduling is the best method and provides both email and text message confirmations and appointment reminders. Similar to reserving a hotel room, you'll need a card to reserve an appointment with 4D Sprouts (any Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover credit, debit, or prepaid card). Nothing is charged to your card unless you fail to attend your appointment and/or provide less than 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule; in that case a $50 non-refundable fee applies. When you arrive for your appointment you may choose to pay by a different method if you prefer, such as cash or a different card. Checks and insurance are not accepted. Again, nothing is charged to the card you use to reserve your appointment UNLESS you do one of the following: no show (fail to attend the appointment you scheduled with no notice), provide less than 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule, or are more than 15 minutes late for your appointment.
Depending on the package you choose, the 4D ultrasound session will last between 10 to 30 minutes. Because it takes time to check-in, to get started, and to finish up, it's possible that you'll be at our studio for even up to 40 minutes.
The coolest thing ever! Results are 99% accurate and the blood draw amount is tiny. We rolled this out in January 2018 after a successful pilot in 2017. It is NOT an ultrasound, but you can find out more here: https://www.4dsprouts.com/early-gender-reveal/sneak-peek/
What a blessing! We do not charge extra for twins. Best facial images of twins are obtained around 25-27 weeks because they aren't as crowded at this time and almost always we find that one twin will "steal the show" and take the spotlight over the other! So far we have not scanned triplets or higher multiples since we opened in 2013, but we are happy to try!
We opened in 2013 and have relocated to be closer to family in 2022.
Our services are non-refundable, but if we don't obtain any facial images at all, then you get the option to try again within 1-2 weeks later for a discounted price of $35. We truly strive to obtain the best images of your baby. We schedule all ultrasound sessions a full hour apart to allow us time if we need it for mom to take a break, walk around, drink juice, etc. Sometimes it's just baby's positioning that prevents facial images; other times it could be the position of the placenta or a body tissue/scar tissue or high BMI issue. We also advise moms to stay fully hydrated in the days and weeks leading up to the ultrasound session because hydration is key in obtaining the clearest images of baby. If baby's positioning is uncooperative during your session for any facial images at all, then you may want to consider a second try. We always schedule those at least 1 week, but not more than 2 weeks after the original session and they are forfeited if you don't show up for your appointment, are more than 15 minutes late, or give less than 24 hours' notice of cancellation or rescheduling. We advise moms to stay fully hydrated in the days and weeks leading up to the ultrasound session because hydration is key in obtaining the clearest images of baby.
Check our pricing page & facebook page for discount offers. We occasionally provide coupons through certain special events. To be fair to all our clients, we do not offer discounts or coupons beyond what is available to the general public.
It's a combination of personalized service, our investment in training/safety & the BEST equipment, actually. Since 2013 we have strived to give clients an amazing experience, from both customer service AND quality. We schedule all sessions a full hour apart so noone has to feel rushed & we use the newest technology available with our state of the art GE Voluson e8 Expert machine for all of our sessions. This is what makes 4D Sprouts ultrasound images so much different & better than the average 3D ultrasound. The GE Voluson e8 Expert is used by world class specialists & has been seen in GE television commercials and many printed articles from around the world. It is the new standard in ultrasound technology. This machine is the best 2D, 3D and 4D ultrasound machine available. Please note, many providers claim to use "state-of-the-art" equipment, when in fact they use older or inferior technology. You can really see the difference - just check out our image gallery for examples.
It's a $15 upgrade to our Heartbeat Recording Plush Keepsakes that allows you to get the animal of your choice sealed up in the box wearing either a tutu or a bowtie. You won't know what it's wearing until you open the box up! It's perfect for those who want to keep baby's gender a surprise until a gender reveal party or special moment.
Yes and there's no extra charge! You can also upgrade to our $15 Gender Reveal Box to make the surprise even more special & fun.
Yes, you are more than welcome to bring your own device into our studio and use Skype or Facetime or any other apps for those distant friends & family members!
Up to 5 minutes early is good to plan for. It only takes about 5 minutes to get checked-in and pay for your session, then we'll get started pretty quickly.
Due to the nature of ultrasound services we do not offer refunds. If baby is uncooperative during your session for facial images or the gender check, we do offer the option for a discounted $35 redo session within 1-2 weeks if you'd like to have a second try. We do all we can to avoid that, of course! Regarding our cancellation & scheduling policy: We offer ultrasound sessions by appointment only. Appointments may be scheduled online or by phone. Similar to reserving a hotel room, you'll need a card to reserve an appointment with 4D Sprouts (any Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover credit, debit, or prepaid card). Nothing is charged to your card unless you fail to attend your appointment and/or provide less than 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule; in that case a $50 non-refundable fee applies. When you arrive for your appointment you may choose to pay by a different method if you prefer, such as cash or a different card. Checks and insurance are not accepted.
As you might guess, we have many pregnant clients who can't bear certain food smells during this special time. Water is OK, but we ask that you don't bring in food or drinks to our studio please; save those for your afterparty!

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