FAQ’s & Privacy Policy

Ultrasound has been used safely in obstetrics for over 40 years, encompassing three generations of women and millions of ultrasounds. Several studies have verified that it is a non-invasive tool with vast benefits. Specific studies can be reviewed on Dr. Joseph Woo's renowned site www.ob-ultrasound.net, a highly respected source of information in the field. These studies confirm that no adverse findings of diagnostic ultrasound levels have ever been replicated. In fact, new studies are showing its psycho-social benefit for expecting women, where viewing an ultrasound resulted in benefits from improved diet to smoking cessation.

The FDA emphasizes the safety of ultrasound: "The agency sets the standard for the level of energy to be used for various treatments or diagnoses, including fetal ultrasounds. This standard restricts ultrasound exposure to levels that produce few, if any, effects on the fetus, based on epidemiological evidence" (FDA Consumer magazine, January-February 2004 Issue).

The Three- and Four-Dimensional ultrasound imaging performed by Miracle View Ultrasound uses ultrasound energy subject to the same limits as conventional (2D) ultrasound to create the Three- and Four-Dimensional images. Our policy dictates that all systems be used only in the Obstetrics Application. As a result, the ultrasound energy is limited by the manufacturer below FDA limits for obstetrical ultrasound, whether scanning 2, 3 or 4 Dimensionally. (The FDA limit for obstetrical ultrasound is 94 milliwatts/cm2.)

Three- and Four-Dimensional ultrasound imaging is not a product of increased frequency or "power" levels, but a combination of increased data gathering (listening) by the transducer and software interpretation after data acquisition.

We are grateful for the opportunity to offer this positive experience to expectant women. We have seen first hand how happy our patients are to hear of us. They appreciate the experience we provide, which uses a safe, proven technology to help expecting women and their families further invest in the pregnancy.

John P Newnham, Dorota A Doherty, Garth E Kendall, Stephen R Zubrick, Louis L Landau, Fiona J Stanley . Lancet 2004; 364: 2038-44

Background: Despite the widespread use of prenatal ultrasound studies, there are no published data from randomized controlled trials describing childhood outcomes that might be influenced by repeated ultrasound exposures. We previously undertook a randomized controlled trial to assess the effects of multiple studies on pregnancy and childhood outcomes and reported that those pregnancies allocated to receive multiple examinations had an unexplained and significant increase in the proportion of growth restricted newborns. Our aim was to investigate the possible effects of multiple prenatal ultrasound scans on growth and development in childhood. Here, we provide follow-up data of the children's development.

Methods: Physical and developmental assessments were done on children whose pregnant mothers had been allocated at random to a protocol of five studies of ultrasound imaging and umbilical artery Doppler flow velocity waveform between 18 and 38 weeks' gestation (intensive group n=1490) or a single imaging study at 18 weeks' gestation (regular group n=1477). We used generalized logistic and linear regression models to assess the group differences in developmental and growth outcomes over time. Primary data analysis was done by intention-to-treat.

Findings: Examinations were done at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 years of age on children born without congenital abnormalities and from singleton pregnancies (intensive group n=1362, regular group n=1352). The follow-up rate at 1 year was 85% (2310/2714) and at 8 years was 75% (2042/2714). By 1 year of age and thereafter, physical sizes were similar in the two groups. There were no significant differences indicating deleterious effects of multiple ultrasound studies at any age as measured by standard tests of childhood speech, language, behavior, and neurological development.

Interpretation: Exposure to multiple prenatal ultrasound examinations from 18 weeks' gestation onwards might be associated with a small effect on fetal growth but is followed in childhood by growth and measures of developmental outcome similar to those in children who had received a single prenatal scan.

D.H. Pretorius, K.M. Uyan, R. Neton, A. Hull, G. James & T. Nelson. 11th World Congress on Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 12-28 October 2001. Melbourne, Australia.

Objectives: To compare the effects of two-dimensional ultrasound (2DUS) vs. three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) imaging on the maternal-fetal bonding process.

Results: A randomized sampling of data was preformed to equalize cells for some study questions. Mothers who received 3DUS shared their ultrasound photographs with significantly more number of people (mean, 31.72) than did mother receiving 2DUS (mean, 16.02). Subjects screened with 3DUS had a greater tendency to form a mental image of the baby post-screening (82%) than 2DUS subjects (39%). The 3DUS parents were more likely to receive comments on similarities/differences with the actual baby than parents having 2DUS studies. Further, 70% of the mothers receiving 3DUS felt they 'knew' the baby right after birth because of the images they saw compared to only 56% of 2DUS moms.

Conclusion: The 3DUS images appears to have a more positive influence on the perception of mothers compared to 2DUS images. Specifically, mother who had 3DUS showed their images to twice as many people as those having 2DUS studies. 3DUS may have the potential benefit to strengthen the support system for families expecting their newborns.

Langer M, Ringler M & Reinold E. Psychological effects of ultrasound examinations: Changes on body perception and child image in pregnancy. J. Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol, 1988; 199-208.

Ultrasound scanning is known to have psychological effects due to its vivid imagery. In a prospective study on 60 healthy gravidae in mid trimester pregnancy the impact of a single scan upon child image and body perception was evaluated. Seven-point numerical scales were filled in by the women before and after ultrasound and high feedback of the screen image was given during the scan. Medical and socio-economic information was collected in an interview.

Child image changed considerably towards a brisker, more active and more familiar view; for body image, an increase in reassurance could be observed. Parity and partner status had an influence on the experience of the scan. Primiparae without partners and women with pregnancy complaints could benefit by the scan in certain aspects of their body perception.

Implications of these finding for early mother-infant bonding, abortion and daily clinical practice are discussed.

Cox DN, Wittmann, BK, Hess, M, Ross, AG, Lind, J, Lindahl, S. The psychological impact of diagnostic ultrasound. Obstet Gynecol 1987; Vol 70 (5): 673-6.

The psychological impact of ultrasound scanning in pregnancy was examined in low- and high-risk pregnancies. Women in each category were assigned consecutively to a condition of either low or high feedback. In the latter condition, the women received extensive verbal and visual feedback, whereas in the former, subjects were denied visual access to the monitor. Psychological changes were measured using the State Anxiety Inventory and the Subjective Stress Scale. When a male partner attended, he was included in the assessment. The emotional impact of ultrasound was influenced by the level of feedback provided, with those in the high-feedback condition indicating significantly less anxiety and more positive emotional experiences during the scan, compared with those who received less feedback.

Michelacci L et al. Psychological Reactions to Ultrasound. Examination during Pregnancy. Psychother Psychosom 1998, Vol 50, pp. 1-4.

Twenty women underwent ultrasound examination three times during low-risk pregnancy. Before and after ultrasonography, the Symptom Questionnaire was applied to evaluate changes in psychological distress. Anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms, and hostility significantly decreased after the patients received video and verbal feedback during the first ultrasound examination. Such changes were consistently observed also during the subsequent two examinations.

The importance of ultrasound to first-time mothers' thoughts about their unborn child K. Dykes, K. Stjernqvist. The importance of ultrasound to first-time mothers' thoughts about their unborn child. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, Vol. 19 (2), 95-104. The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of ultrasound to women's thoughts about their unborn child. Ten primigravidae were interviewed approximately 1 week before and 1 week after their first ultrasound screening. Analysis of the interviews was conducted using the techniques of grounded theory. The results showed that ultrasound was of great importance for increasing the women's awareness of bearing a child. This realization process was expressed in various categories of thoughts about the unborn child: (1) the existing foetus, (2) the coming child, (3) the woman's life situation, (4) parenthood and (5) delivery. The paper examines the way in which ultrasound influences these categories of thought.

Brown GF. Short-term impact of fetal imaging on parental stress and anxiety. Per and Peri-Natal Psychology Journal, 1988, Vol. 3, pp. 24-40.

This study compared the stress and anxiety responses of expectant fathers attending a routine visit with their partners who saw ultrasound imaging of their unborn chid with those of fathers also attending a routine office visit with their partners who did not view ultrasound imaging of the fetus. Fathers were given the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Subjective Stress Scale in addition to a demographic questionnaire and the Paternal Attitudes towards Pregnancy Inventory prior to the examination. The anxiety and stress measures were re administered after the examination. Anxiety measures showed no significant differences between experimental and control groups, but fathers who saw fetal imaging did experience significant reductions in stress

Van den Bergh, B. R. H. The Influence of Maternal Emotions during Pregnancy on Fetal and Neonatal Behavior. Per and Peri-Natal Psychology Journal, Vol. 5 (2), 1990, 119-130.

This study was designed to examine: 1) whether the influence of maternal emotions on fetal behavior could be established using real-time ultrasound echography and cardiography; and 2) whether the prenatal influence was reflected in neonatal behavior. In a longitudinal study of 30 women out of a larger group of 70 nulliparous women revealed that maternal state anxiety during echographic recording was significantly correlated with fetal behavior. Moreover, fetal behavior was sensitive to the influence of material chronic anxiety during pregnancy. Results on the subgroup of 30 women and their babies suggest a certain degree of continuity between fetal and neonatal movement patterns, and further indicate that the prenatal influence is reflected in neonatal.

Timor-Tritsch IE, Platt LD. Three-dimensional ultrasound experience in obstetrics . Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA. Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound is a natural development of the imaging technology. Fast computers are essential to enable 3D and four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound pictures. A short review of the technical points and clinical aspects is presented. Our purpose is to acquaint the reader with the possibilities of this new technology and to increase awareness of its present clinical usefulness. A short review of technical information is provided.

RECENT FINDINGS: The advantages of 3D and 4D ultrasound in certain areas are unequivocal. Its use in the workup of fetal anomalies involving the face, limbs, thorax, spine and the central nervous system are already applied by most centers. The use of this technology in applying color Doppler, in guiding needles for different puncture procedures as well in evaluating the fetal heart are under close research scrutiny. The bonding effect between the parents and their future offspring is becoming evident as 3D ultrasound is used. Consulting specialists understand fetal pathology better and can better plan postnatal interventions. 4D or real time 3D ultrasound was developed and is expected to achieve new meaning with the planned introduction of electronic transducer multi linear arrays.

SUMMARY: 3D ultrasound is an extremely promising imaging tool to image the fetus. In spite of the scant outcome studies the potential of 3D ultrasound is understood by a large number of obstetricians, maternal fetal specialists and imaging specialists.

Black RB. Seeing the baby. The impact of ultrasound technology. J. Genet Counsel 1:45, 1992. This paper reports results of a study of prenatal diagnosis patients who underwent ultrasound examinations and lost their pregnancies through miscarriage or elective terminations. The majority of the women felt that viewing the ultrasound image influenced their relationship to the fetus and their coping with the pregnancy loss. The women commented on the power of ultrasound to make their pregnancies more real as well as the painful yet sometimes beneficial consequences of seeing the fetus. Clinical implications are considered for health professionals who provide prenatal diagnostic services or counseling after pregnancy loss.

• Week 5: AppleseedAverage size: .13 inches** Baby's major organs and systems are now forming...
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Week 6: Sweet Pea   Average size: .25 inches Blood is starting to circulate...
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Week 7: Blueberry   Average size: .51 inches Baby's brain is growing fast...
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Week 8: Raspberry   Average size: .63 inches, .04 oz. Those little arms and little legs are moving like crazy.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Week 9: Green Olive   Average size: .9 inches, .07 oz. A Doppler device might pick up a heartbeat this week...
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Week 10: Prune   Average size: 1.2 inches, .14 oz. Baby's arm joints are working, and soon the legs will too...
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Week 11: Lime   Average size: 1.6 inches, .25 oz. Fingers and toes are no longer webbed..
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Week 12: Plum   Average size: 2.1 inches, .49 oz. Almost all vital systems are fully formed...
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Week 13: Peach   Average size: 2.9 inches, .81 oz. Teeth and vocal cords are appearing...
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Week 14: Lemon   Average size: 3.4 inches, 1.5 oz. Liver, kidney, and spleen are continuing to develop...
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Week 15: Naval Orange   Average size: 4 inches, 2.5 oz. Legs are finally longer than arms...
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Week 16: Avocado   Average size: 4.6 inches, 3.5 oz. Eyebrows, lashes, and hair are filling in...
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Week 17: Onion   Average size: 5.1 inches, 5.9 oz. Skeleton is hardening, and fat is accumulating...
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Week 18: Sweet Potato   Average size: 5.6 inches, 6.7 oz. Baby's moving like crazy -- feel anything yet?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Week 19: Mango   Average size: 6.0 inches, 8.5 oz. Vermix caseosa is coating baby's skin...
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Week 20: Cantaloupe   Average size: 6.5 inches, 10.6 oz. Boy or girl, genitals are fully formed...
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Week 21: Banana   Average size: 10.5 inches ***, 12.7 oz. Taste buds are starting to work...
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Weeks 22-24 (Month 5): Papaya   Average size: 10.5-11.8 inches, 12.7-20.8 oz. Nipples are sprouting, and face is fully formed!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Weeks 25-28 (Month 6): Eggplant   Average size: 13.6-14.8 inches, 1.5-2.2 lb. Immune system is preparing for the outside world.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Weeks 29-32 (Month 7): Squash   Average size: 15.2-16.7 inches, 2.5-3.8 lb. Sleeping and waking cycles are establishing...
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Weeks 33-36 (Month 8): Honeydew   Average size: 17.2-18.7 inches, 4.2-5.8 lb. Growth is slowing, and baby may soon descend...
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Weeks 37-Delivery (Month 9): Watermelon   Average size: 18.9-20.9 inches, 6.2-9.2 lb. Full term! Baby's finally ready for the outside world...
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Month One   The embryo is approximately 1/2 inch long and weighs less than 1/2 ounce. The heart, lungs, brain, and limb buds have begun developing. The heart begins beating by the 25th day. By 30 days the child has grown 10,000 times its original size to ¼" long. Blood is flowing in the baby's veins but stays separate from the mother's blood. For mom, morning sickness can occur as a result of more hormone production related to pregnancy.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Month Two   The embryo is approximately 1 inch long and weighs less than 1 ounce. The major organs are now in place. Formation of the eyelids and ears has begun. Tiny hands, fingers, knees, ankles, and toes are beginning to develop. The brain coordinates the movement of muscles and organs. Reflex responses have begun. The placenta now develops. For mom, some weight gain can be expected around this time as well as some fatigue.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Month Three   The embryo has now become a fetus. The fetus is approximately 4 inches long and weight just over 1 ounce. Soft fingernails and toenails are forming, as are places for 20 teeth. Thumb-sucking occurs. The body is sensitive to touch. At approximately 12 weeks, the fetal heartbeat can be heard with a special Doppler device in the doctor's office. The baby can kick, open the mouth, make a fist, and more. For mom, morning sickness may still be present. Some moms may feel warmer than usual.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Month Four   The fetus is approximately 6-7 inches long and weighs about 5 ounces and is completely formed. From this point forward, the fetus will be maturing and gaining weight. Eyebrows and a small amount of hair are now present. The baby moves, kicks, swallows, urinates, sleeps and wakes. For mom, the end of the month will begin the time of quickening or the feeling of flutters (baby's first movements maybe felt by mom).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Month Five   The baby is approximately 8-12 inches long and weighs about 1/2 to 1 pound. Fingernails now apparent. The brain is continuing to develop. This is the optimal time for most mothers (especially first time moms) to feel the baby move.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Month Six   The baby is approximately 11-14 inches long and weighs about 1-1/2 pounds. At this time, the baby is covered with fine-soft hair. This is usually the greatest period of maternal weight gain. For mom, some discomfort may result from the stretching of uterine muscles.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Month Seven   The baby is approximately 15 inches long and weighs about 3 pounds and experiences a great deal of growth during this month. The eyes can open and close at this time. For mom, minor contractions (called Braxton-Hicks contractions) can be felt around this time.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Month Eight   The baby is approximately 18 inches long and weighs about 5 pounds. For mom, more kicks are felt than flips or rolls.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Month Nine   The baby is approximately 20 inches long and weighs about 7 ½ pounds. At this stage, the baby gains approximately 1/2 pound per week and will (most times) move into the maternal pelvis just before birth (a time when mom may noticed that the baby has dropped). Birth can occur between the 37th and 42nd week. Your Miracle will be arriving any day for you to love and enjoy the rest of his/her life.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

We offer elective 2D, 3D, 4D 5D/HD Live prenatal Ultrasounds to provide a positive bonding experience for the mother, father and family members with the unborn baby. We feel that realistic surface images provide a connection between the parents and baby that can be beneficial to the whole family. We make no claims that 3-D as used in this examination is performed to better assess the baby for abnormalities. A routine Ultrasound examination should have already been performed to assess the gestational age of the fetus and to evaluate for fetal anomalies as well as the basic components of fetal anatomy recommended for screening.

3D is a still image while 4D adds the dimension of motion so it looks like a video. 5D/HD Live is the newest 4D technology available on the market. 5D/HD Lives takes your traditional 4D Ultrasound and uses a new rendering software and lighting software to allow us to have a much more realistic image of the baby.

WATER! WATER! WATER! is the best answer to how to improve your images. You should be drinking plenty of water beginning at least 2 days before your scheduled appointment. (even more days is can help even more) Water can improve the quality of an ultrasounda lot.

ABSOLUTELY NOT! Women seeking an elective prenatal ultrasound with Miracle View must already be receiving treatment with a healthcare provider for prenatal care and have already undergone a medical, diagnostic ultrasound ordered by their provider to confirm their due date, screen for fetal anomalies, and to look for any other pregnancy related issues. The issues that we are evaluating in the elective prenatal Ultrasound session include a limited diagnostic scan to confirm heartbeat, the number of babies in the pregnancy, the position of the baby, and the placental location. Please note, at no time is this exam to be used in place of a complete diagnostic Ultrasound.

Extensive studies over 40 years have found that Ultrasound has not been shown to cause any harm to mother or baby. Routine scanning of all pregnancies is now normal throughout the United States. In 3D/4D HD Live scanning exactly the same type and intensity of Ultrasound is used as with conventional 2D scanning. 3D and 4D HD Live Ultrasound both utilize sound waves to look inside the body. The technology is similar to radar. A probe placed on the body emits sound waves into the body, listens for the return echo and generates an image. 4D HD Live Ultrasound will be similar to a conventional scan in terms of exposure.

Yes, appointments are necessary for all of our services.

Depending on the package you choose, the 4D 5D/HD Live Ultrasound session will last between 15 and 30 minutes. We always suggest setting aside at least 45 minutes to be on the safe side.

That depends on what you are looking to see. Many mothers like coming in twice, early on, 16-26 weeks, when they can see the baby as a whole, and then again at 25-34 weeks to see a more detailed face. Between 28 and 32 weeks, your baby develops more fat and gets a more defined face. After 35 weeks, it becomes more and more difficult to obtain good pictures since the baby is running out of room. However all babies are different and we have been successful in obtaining great images all the way up to 39 weeks.

Usually, but not always. 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 will invite you back at NO additional cost. We make no promises that the images will be similar to those you might have seen elsewhere or even from our clinic, or that we can always meet everyone's expectations. Every baby scans differently, depending on its gestational age, position, amount of fluid, and mother's condition. We promise to make every effort to obtain the best possible images of whatever parts of the baby that can be seen.

Yes! In fact, we encourage our clients to invite family and friends to attend the elective 4D 5D/HD Live Ultrasound session. This is a joyous and wonderful experience, one that can be shared with your family and loved ones. We can comfortably accommodate up to 8 people in our ultrasound viewing room, but currently are only allowing 5 guests with current restrictions. Our seating is specifically arranged so that everyone in your party will have an excellent view of our large screen 4D HD Live images of the baby.

At 14 weeks we can determine the gender with a very high accuracy. If you are over 14 weeks and the gender can not be seen, we invite you back for a weekday return appointment and we will rescan you for NO additional cost within the next 14 days. The need for a return visit is usually due to the baby's position and is about a 1/10 chance.

At this point, insurance does not cover the costs of our Ultrasounds. Since this is an elective procedure and is not intended to be a replacement for your doctor ordered Ultrasound, you will need to pay the cost of this Ultrasound as an out of pocket expense. We accept Cash, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Visa, MasterCard, and Debit cards.

We use the state of the art GE Voluson E8 with HD Live Technology to complete all Ultrasound examinations. The GE Voluson E8 with HD Live Technology has been seen in GE television commercials and many printed articles from around the world. This machine is the best 2D, 3D and 4D 5D/HD Ultrasound machine available. Please note, many organizations claim to use "state-of-the-art" equipment, when in fact they use older or inferior technology. Only the GE Voluson E8 with HD Live Technology generates 3D images with amazing clarity and gives you the same clarity with 4D HD Live imagery of your baby in motion. Our sonogram equipment allows you to see your baby in live 4D HD motion video unlike any other ultrasound facility in Arizona!

We have packages to fit just about anyone's budget and often run seasonal specials. Please refer to our Packages and Pricing page for pricing information.

We pride ourselves on being an inviting, relaxing, comfortable, and spacious environment for you and your family.

Most doctors recommend maintaining a healthy fluid intake, especially while you are pregnant. This will help to ensure your amniotic fluid is clear as well as full. There are many things out of the sonographer's control like the baby's position, the mother's build, amount of amniotic fluid, etc. HIGHLY RECOMMEND really good hydration (water intake) at least 24 hours prior (or even 48 hrs) to the appointment all the way to the appointment time. About a half hour before your 3D/4D HD ultrasound scan, try to have anything you may know of that gets the baby active to attempt to capture as many different pictures as possible. Feel free to call us for suggestions!

We currently accept major credit/debit cards and cash.

In about 5 minutes after your session has ended.

We do not contact your doctor prior to the scan since this is an elective procedure. We do require however that you currently are under prenatal care and if you have any concerns, you should ask your doctor. Ultrasound technicians that work for Miracle View Ultrasound are not to make a diagnosis.