4D ultrasounds: are they safe? 2026

Leonor received a 4D echo in a raffle at the shopping center. Happy and content, she goes online to see what things she can see in this ultrasound and choose the best time to have it done. But on the Internet you find some articles that advise against this type of non-diagnostic test. Check that everything is based on a statement that French gynecologists released in 2011 warning against "spectacle" or 4D ultrasounds, the ones we do to see the baby's face. They stated at the time that although ultrasounds are in principle harmless, there is no research on what happens with longer exposure, as can occur with 4D ultrasounds. This puts Leonor on alert: Can the ultrasound be done or is it better to give up the gift?

They have not been shown to be harmful

"3D or 4D ultrasounds are safe," says Dr. José María Martínez, head of the Fetal Medicine section at BCNatal. Much has been said about its safety (and will continue to be said), but this is what studies have shown about the effects that have sometimes been feared:

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1.Can ultrasounds increase the temperature of amniotic fluid? It is one of the possibilities that was pointed out in the French statement. "A slight increase in the temperature of the liquid has been seen in studies carried out in an animal model, subjected to more than 100 times the ultrasounds required by an ultrasound for a pregnant woman," says Dr. José María Martínez. In that sense, "there is no danger or time limitation" when we move within the normal parameters of these tests. It means that if instead of 20 minutes the test lasts 40 minutes, there is no risk. What we should not do is spend 8 hours straight, because no studies have been done on that.

2.Can they cause any neurological problems in the development of the fetus? "Of all the studies that have been done, there is only one, in the 80s, that seemed to establish a relationship between ultrasound and a greater number of left-handed children. It was a time when women had at most one during pregnancy; those who did not have one were compared with those who had one. There were many other variables at play, but they believed they found a relationship between the number of left-handed children and having had an ultrasound," explains this doctor. However, in no study, not even this one, is it seen that these tests have any consequence on the neurological or functional development of the fetus.

All ultrasounds, however, are not harmless. "There is a system to look at the circulation, the pulsed Doppler, with which you do have to be careful and limit the exposure time," says Dr. Martínez. Pulsed Doppler can increase the temperature of the amniotic fluid in a short time. But when it comes to 2D, 3D and 4D ultrasounds, there is nothing to worry about.

They do not detect alterations (unless requested)

Of course, Dr. José María Martínez recommends being clear about what we are looking for when we have a 3D or 4D ultrasound. A priori it does not have diagnostic purposes. When the 3D is applied, the professional can only access the surface of the child's body but not the internal organs. 4D is 3D in motion, that is, a video. In the United States, for example, you have to sign a document agreeing that these ultrasounds will not show or rule out any disease.

Sometimes, however, if the person who performs the ultrasound is a doctor, he or she can first take a look in 2D to make sure everything is going well. "Many times, thanks to the 3D visit, things are detected that could not be detected in week 20. It is not uncommon for a woman to go at 27-28 weeks to have an ultrasound of this type and the doctor sees something and sends her to the hospital, which allows for faster action than if she had waited until week 32," says Dr. Martínez. If we are interested in taking advantage of this ultrasound to obtain a diagnosis, it is important to ask at the chosen place if a doctor performs it. and if this check can be done before setting the 4D setting. When so, the clinic usually has differentiated rates.

Who can do ultrasounds? They are performed by gynecologists, radiologist doctors and also x-ray technicians, although these require validation of the image by the doctor when there are diagnostic purposes.

Parents get excited

In addition to the possibility of detecting certain problems before the 32-week ultrasound, ultrasounds that we perform for the pure pleasure of seeing our child can have other advantages. "Different publications confirm that the maternal-fetal and paternal-fetal bond improves with this type of ultrasound, especially in the case of the father," says Dr. Martínez. That's why in many places they call them emotional ultrasounds.

Parents, who do not carry the future baby inside like the mother, understand very well the image they see in photos or video. For many parents, seeing the image makes their child more real. They can even draw similarities: “I was very excited to see my baby's face, he looked just like my husband,” says Sandra, who had a 4D scan at week 35.

Some women, however, feel a certain strangeness when seeing the image and others directly prefer not to see the child until it is born: "A friend advised me to have an ultrasound to meet my baby... But I already know him and I like this relationship like this, without seeing each other's faces... until he is born," says Ana. It is true that the mother does not only know her child by sight. He lives and moves inside her, he follows rhythms, they are both connected. Everyone knows what mechanisms help them bond with their baby on the way. 4D ultrasound is another means within our reach that we can use whenever we want, without having to be victims of a trend.

It is carried out in private centers

Montse Rodríguez is part of the team of professionals that cares for women who come to the Gutenberg center in Malaga (www.eco4d.com) to have a 4D ultrasound. It is a prenatal diagnosis center, so there is the possibility of choosing the diagnosis along with the emotional ultrasound. She usually receives families and answers many of their questions.

How long does the test last? It will depend a lot on the baby's posture. Sometimes he is in a complicated position and then we try to get him to move to see him better, this takes more time. But it can also be perfectly placed, and as soon as you arrive you marvel at how good it looks. There is no stipulated time. As a reference, although as I say it will depend a lot on the position the baby is in, it can last 20 to 30 minutes when it includes the diagnosis. In case of twins, double!

How much does it cost to have a 4D? In this clinic, the morphological or emotional ultrasound costs 70 euros, the diagnostic ultrasound costs 100, and both can be done at the same time for 110 euros.

How long is the video? How long does the ultrasound last? Its quality will basically depend on the position of the fetus and the ultrasound equipment that the clinic has. You can't control certain things, for example sometimes the video is very funny because the future baby is moving all the time, sucking his thumb, touching his feet... Other times the baby is very calm, resting, and the video is more about observing his face, his hands, his feet...

What if we don't get to see his face? It will also depend on the situation. In general, when the face is not seen due to the posture of the future baby, parents can return at another time to do the ultrasound. (Each site, however, works in a different way and has different rates, so ask in advance)