frequently asked questions

Ultrasound recommendations, trimester guidelines, and quality imaging success rates can vary widely from one facility to another, often influenced by factors like skill, imaging time, comfort level, and approach. At Precious Peek 5D, we don’t cut corners. We take the time and care needed to ensure your scan is as clear and detailed as possible, even if you have an anterior placenta, were late to schedule an HD scan, or your baby is measuring large for dates. We provide the full time and attention necessary to give you the high-quality imaging you deserve. We’re confident that Precious Peek stands apart—offering you the best quality, every time!

1. 3D is a still image, while 4D/HD/5D adds the dimension of motion, so it looks like a video. HD/5D is the newest fetal keepsake ultrasound technology on the market. HD/5D allows you to see all the details of the baby by using software technology to change the focal points and "lighting" of the ultrasound.

When we talk about HD or 5D ultrasound (the terms are interchangeable), we’re referring to the most recent advancements in imaging technology that help create clearer, sharper depictions with higher definition and better resolution. This method gives us the most lifelike visualization of your baby. Studies suggest that 3D and 4D ultrasound imaging can help promote the bonding of mothers to their expected newborns and strengthen the support of surrounding family. Ultrasound has demonstrated a positive impact on expecting families by showing the baby is healthy, making the parents see the fetus as more “real,” and facilitating a closer relationship between the parents and the child.

3D and 4D/HD 5D ultrasound use the same frequency as your doctor uses in the normal 2D ultrasound. Ultrasounds have been used for over 40 years and according to the FDA, there have been no proven side effects from its proper use.

Most of the time, yes. But not always! If you’ve ever tried to get a toddler to stand still and smile for the camera, you know what we’re talking about. Babies like to curl up inside the womb (can you blame them?) and sometimes hang out with their hands, or even their feet, in front of their face. They may also be facing down towards mom’s back, hiding behind the placenta, or nestled deep in the pelvis. Sometimes, the images we’re hoping for just aren’t physically obtainable at the time of your visit. And that’s okay! We’ll schedule a free rescan and get those pictures.

Please take a moment to review our come back guarantee before your visit so you know what to expect the day of your session.

The “Goldilocks zone” for a 4D/5D ultrasound is between 28 and 32 weeks. At this point in pregnancy, baby has a fuller face with chubby cheeks and we’re well-positioned to get the pictures you’re hoping for. If you’re only planning one 4D/5D session, we’d definitely recommend coming in between 28 and 32 weeks.

Our 4D/5D packages do begin as early as 20 weeks, when baby is generally smaller and thinner. We can still get great pictures of baby curled up and moving around, and we actually capture more of the body, but facial features won’t be as detailed as later on in the pregnancy—so keep this in mind when selecting your appointment! It all comes down to personal preference. Most of our moms choose to come in for multiple sessions throughout the course of the pregnancy to show baby’s development the whole way through. We have special packages just for this!

Around 33 weeks, babies begin their descent into the pelvis to get ready for birth. They’re also growing bigger and taking up more space in the womb. Quality 4D/5D after this point can be a challenge, but we’ve gotten great images of babies all the way up to 39 weeks! It depends on the baby’s position, mom’s body habitus, the location of the placenta, and amniotic fluid volume, which all vary greatly from person to person—so don’t hesitate to call and make an appointment even if you’re further along! We’re happy to help guide your decision-making.

Yes! You are welcome to bring as many guests to your appointment as you’d like, including children. Our family-friendly facility was designed with a mother’s sensibility and our services are presented as a way to celebrate alongside your loved ones. Most doctors office’s (for good reason) will limit the number of guests patients can bring along to their appointments—that’s why Precious Peek is a great addition to your routine prenatal care if you come from a large family, have lots of friends wanting to see your bundle of joy, or if you’re just wanting to mix it up with something a little more intimate. We can comfortably seat 5 people, more can join if they don't mind standing!

At 16+ weeks we can determine the gender with high accuracy. If you are over 16+ weeks and the gender cannot be seen, we invite you back for a weekday return appointment and we will rescan you for free within the next 14 days. The need for a return visit is usually due to the baby's position.

We won’t guess baby’s gender before 16 weeks based on ultrasound alone for a number of reasons—variations in embryology, maternal body habitus, skewed dating… not to mention the confusion and disappointment it could cause if, for any reason, we were wrong. That’s why our gender determination ultrasounds don’t begin until the 16 week mark.

Our best recommendation if you want to know your baby’s gender as early and accurately as possible is our Precious Secret Package. At 6+ weeks, you’ll come in for a painless gender analysis and have results emailed to you in 1 to 2 business days. We bring you back in for a scan at 16+ weeks to confirm the gender with ultrasound, listen to baby’s heartbeat, snap some cute 2D pictures, and preview our 5D features.

You can enjoy our full spectrum of services even if you’re keeping baby’s gender a surprise ‘til the end! Just let us know at the time of booking and remind us on the day of your session. We can get awesome photos of baby’s face while steering clear of spoilers. If you're coming in to find out the gender, but have a designated "Gender Keeper", we can write the gender down and place it in our "Top Secret" envelope.

We ask all of our pregnant guests to be under documented care of a licensed OBGYN provider with an assigned due date before enjoying our services. If you’re coming in to see your baby, please bring along proof of care (an appointment card or documentation of a doctor’s appointment, an ultrasound image from a diagnostic scan, written approval from your doctor or midwife, a visit summary on your phone through MyChart app or similar, etc.).

If you’re coming in for an elective session, you’ll sign a waiver at the time of booking your appointment acknowledging that you’re under the care of a licensed provider and that our elective services do not replace medical ultrasounds overseen by your OBGYN or midwife. These types of appointments don’t require an order from a doctor.

We have handy reminders built into our booking processes to ensure all necessary documentation is in place before your appointment.

No, we do not accept insurance because this is an elective procedure.

Life happens! We get it. If you need to cancel or reschedule your visit, please do your best to call at least 48 hours ahead of your appointment time. If you cancel with less than 48 hours notice, you may be ineligible for a refund. We cannot issue refunds for no-call/no-shows.

Water, water, water! Hydration is your best friend! 3D/4D imaging quality is directly related to how much amniotic fluid is surrounding the baby, which is influenced by mom’s water intake. Throughout your pregnancy, but especially in the days leading up to your appointment, we recommend following ACOG guidelines and drinking 8 to 12 cups of water daily.

Additionally, if you tend to notice a time of day when baby is most active, try and book your session around then. Pay attention to certain foods or beverages that increase or decrease baby’s energy level and fuel your body accordingly—for example, if baby perks up after something cold and sweet, drink a fruit smoothie on your way to the studio!

We recommend skipping the caffeine before your appointment. Contrary to popular belief, we’ve noticed it actually has a sleepy effect on baby.

Breech position is when the baby's head is located at the top of your uterus & feet are down. If you do know that your baby is breech prior to your 3D/4D ultrasound, we do advise you to reschedule your appointment a few weeks later to allow more time for the baby to turn. Good pictures can be obtained with breech babies, but they not guaranteed & are much more likely if the baby is head down. However some babies remain breech until very late in the pregnancy or never turn, if this is the case you can still do a 3D/4D/HD/5D ultrasound and we should be able to get good images if you have plenty of amniotic fluid.

If you are overweight you should not be afraid to have a 4D/5D elective ultrasound, however we strongly urge that you wait until after 30 weeks gestation to give the baby time to obtain more fat on their face. If you are overweight you will need to have a VERY high level of amniotic fluid to obtain clear images of the baby. If you drink the recommend amount of water in the weeks leading up to your appointment there is no reason you should not be able to obtain great images!