A Peek Inside: 3D/4D Ultrasound at 15 / 16 Weeks in Southern NH
Pregnancy is full of “firsts” — first heartbeat, first fluttering kicks, first trimester checkups. For many parents, one of the most magical moments is seeing baby in 3D or 4D ultrasound. If you’re around 15 weeks along and considering a 3D/4D scan (especially near southern New Hampshire / the MA border), here’s what you should know — from what’s possible to tips to get better images.
What Are 3D & 4D Ultrasounds?
Before diving into what you can see, a quick refresher on the technology:
- A 2D ultrasound is the standard medical scan. It gives flat, black-and-white images that are excellent for measurements, anatomy checks, and basic diagnostics.
- A 3D ultrasound takes those same sound-wave echoes and reconstructs a volumetric (three-dimensional) image, giving more depth and a more “life‑like” picture of baby’s shape, contours, and features.
- A 4D ultrasound is essentially a 3D image in motion — i.e. video in real time, showing baby moving, yawning, stretching, etc.
These “bonding” ultrasounds are often offered as elective (non-diagnostic) services, like at our private imaging center Little Look Ultrasound in Southern NH!
Why 15 Weeks? Pros & Limitations
Pros
- Between 15–20 weeks, We are able to show the full body — head, torso, limbs — because baby is not yet too cramped in the womb.
- We offer early gender determination at 15 weeks pending baby’s positioning
- You may catch some movement — baby may wave arms or move fingers, stretch, etc., which can be delightful to watch in 4D.
Limitations & What You Probably WON’T See Clearly
- Facial features are still rudimentary. You might see the outline of a nose, lips, cheeks.
- Because baby is still small and skin is thin, not much fat is developed.
- Come back at 27+ weeks to see more developed facial features!
What You Might See at 15/16 Weeks
Here are some of the features many parents report (and that clinics advertise) being visible at ~15 weeks:
| Feature / Movement | Likelihood & Notes |
|---|---|
| Head, body, limbs | Quite likely — you may see baby’s full form (tiny arms, legs, torso) if position is good. |
| Hands, fingers, toes | You might catch baby opening fingers, curling toes, stretching. |
| Some facial outline | Possible: nose, mouth, cheeks, if baby faces toward the probe and isn’t obstructed. |
| Movement / motion | Yes — baby may wiggle, yawn, stretch, wave limbs; these are fun to watch in 4D. |
| Gender (male/female) | Pending baby’s positioning |
| Internal organs & detailed anatomy | Unlikely — the resolution and purpose of 3D/4D “bonding” scans are not to evaluate detailed internal anatomy. |
Note: 3D/4D imaging is not a substitute for medical scans. They’re elective!
