Questions and Answers

  1. What is an ultrasound?
  2. Can ultrasounds harm my child?
  3. What can I expect during an ultrasound?
  4. What are the costs of an ultrasound?
  5. Who will perform the ultrasound?
  6. Will the health of my child be checked?
  7. What happens if something unusual is detected?
  8. How many people are allowed to attend the ultrasound session?
  9. May I drink or eat before the ultrasound?
  10. How can I make an appointment, and what is the waiting time?
  11. What happens during a 2D ultrasound ? And what is a fetal growth report?
  12. Can you also perform 3D ultrasounds?
  13. When is the best time for a 3D ultrasound?
  14. I would like to know the sex of my child. Is that possible?
  15. At what time during my pregnancy should I have an ultrasound?
  16. What are the abbreviations used in ultrasound?
  17. Can I give an ultrasound as a present?

  1. What is an ultrasound?
    Ultrasounds are performed with soundwaves that are inaudible to the human ear. These waves are transmitted by a transducer and reflected by the organs in the body, which then return and are received by the transducer. With the help of an advanced computer, these waves are then transformed into an image.
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  2. Can ultrasounds harm my child?
    After more than 25 years of use in medicine and extensive research on this topic, it has been proven that ultrasounds have no negative effects on the body nor the fetus
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  3. What can I expect during an ultrasound?
    Your ultrasound is performed in a relaxed atmosphere in a pleasant environment. Depending on the package you choose, the total session takes between 30 minutes and one hour. During this time, we allow the baby to move in positions in order to provide you the most optimum opportunity to see it move and change in expression. During the visit, the mother and father are able to follow the examination on a ceiling-mounted monitor. Included is a step-by-step commentary by our skilled ultrasonographer. This (english) commentary is also recorded on the DVD. Texts are added to the various parts of the baby which are then viewed on the monitor. A photograph is then taken from the best images. Additionally, all images saved during the session are recorded on a CD-ROM. The 2D+; 3D and the 3D+ sessions are recorded on DVD for playback at home with family and friends.
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  4. What are the costs of an ultrasound?
    "Kijk Nou !" offers a variety of ultrasound sessions in various price ranges. For a complete overview, see our
    Pricelist. Please note there are no hidden costs for our services.
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  5. Who will perform the ultrasound?
    The ultrasound is performed by an experienced ultrasonographer educated in medical imaging techniques and ultrasound in obstetrics.
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  6. Will the health of my child be checked?
    The aim of the ultrasound is to visualise and image your baby using the best possible method. Because of this, we are not explicitly searching for abnormalities. The ultrasonographer will explain all the details throughout the session. According to the position of the baby, which dictates what can be visualised and recorded, the centre will, depending on the package you choose, perform biometry measurements (a fetal growth progress report). The ultrasonographer will display and allow you to hear the baby's heart activity. The diagnostic tools will show the bloodflow in the heart, blood vessels and also in the umbilical cord. Your child's arms, hands, legs and feet - and sometimes even its fingers and toes - will also be viewable. Additionally, the baby's kidneys, bladder, spine and face is also checked and displayed.
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  7. What happens if something unusual is detected?
    "Kijk Nou !" will, with your consent, contact your midwife or gynaecologist immediately. He/She will be informed about the findings so that further action can be taken, if necessary.
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  8. How many people are allowed to attend the ultrasound session?
    It is your choice to determine who will attend. To enjoy this unique moment to the fullest, it is advisable to reduce the number of attendees to 2 - 3 adults.
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  9. May I drink or eat before the ultrasound?
    With pregnancies over 13 weeks, no preparations are necessary. With pregnancies up to 13 weeks, it is important for the bladder to be filled. A filled bladder ensures that the intestines do not obscure the womb in order for your child to be visualised in the best possible manner. For the best results, we advise patients to empty their bladders 2 hours before sessions. This is followed by drinking at least a half litre of water within 60 minutes. It is important not to visit the toilet until after the session is completed. For later pregnancies, there is no need for any preparation due to the fluids already present in the body.
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  10. How can I make an appointment, and what is the waiting time?
    For an appointment you can either phone us at +31 624 995989 or send an e-mail to:
    mail@kijknou.net. The waiting time can vary from a few days up to a week. Sometimes it is advisible to wait a few weeks into the pregnancy so that the development of the baby is further along, which provides the best opportunity for more detailed 3D images. Best results are achieved between 25 and 30 weeks.
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  11. What happens during a 2D ultrasound ? And what is a fetal growth report?
    During a 2D package ultrasound, we systematically examine all the parts of your baby: its skull, face, heart (with heart beats), lungs, kidneys, bladder, spine and, of course, its extremeties. With the 2D+ and 3D+ package ultrasound, we also check the baby's fetal growth by measuring its head diameter and circumference, abdominal circumference and femur. With these measurements, we are able to calculate both the age and weight of your baby. These findings are
    documented and stored on CD. Additionally, your ultrasonographer displays, with the help of doppler techniques, the bloodflow in the baby's heart, main bloodvessels and the umbilical cord.
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  12. Can you also perform 3D ultrasounds?
    Yes, we can! We have the latest technology with the Philips Medical Systems HD11 ultrasound system launched in 2005.. Because your baby is not two-dimensional, it is not possible to recognise your child on a 2D scan. Therefore, a 3D scan is much more appealing and expressive. However, not only 3D is now possible, but 4D as well! These are short 'live' movies with moving pictures. In the 3D and the 3D+ packages these movies are included.
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  13. When is the best time for a 3D ultrasound?
    To capture the optimum 3D photographs it is important that: the pregnancy is between 25 and 32 weeks; the baby is in the proper position; there is sufficient amniotic fluid around the baby; the baby has enough subcutaneous fat. However, if you want to see the facial features of your baby we advise to have the ultrasound between
    24 and 28 weeks gestation . But if you like to see your child in total we recommend an ultrasound around 17 weeks gestation.
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  14. I would like to know the sex of my child. Is that possible?
    Before the session starts, the ultrasonographer will ask if you would like to know whether your baby is a girl or boy. Only upon your request will we reveal the gender of your child. If you are interested in determining the sex, it is advised to have a sexing scan done only after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Please note it is only possible to view the sex of the child depending on its position at the time of the session.
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  15. At what time during my pregnancy should I have an ultrasound?
    It is impossible to determine the best time to perform ultrasounds. This depends largely on the positon of the baby as well as its volatility. Additionally, the amount of amniotic fluid present is also important. What can be expected from an ultrasound:
    . from 6 to approx. 11 weeks - the size and age of the fetus and heart activity;
    . from 12 to approx. 22 weeks - the baby seen in full, including most organs;
    . from 20 weeks +, the sex of the baby is best determined;
    . from 22 weeks +, more detailed information is possible due to the increased size of the child.
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  16. What are the abbreviations used in ultrasound?
    During an ultrasound a few measurements are performed to calculate the gestational age and sometimes the weight of you baby. Also the heart frequency will be measured:
    . LMP = Last Menstrual Period = 1st day of last period
    . AUA = Actual Ultrasound Age = age of the baby according to the ultrasound measurements
    . CRL = Crown Rump Length = distance from the top of the head to it's bottom
    · BPD = Bi-Parietal Diameter = diameter of the head from ear to ear
    · HC = Head Circumference
    · AC = Abdominal Circumference
    · FL = Femur Length
    . GA = Gestational Age = Time measured from the first day of your last period
    . EFW = Estimated Fetal Weight
    . BPM = Beats Per Minute
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  17. Can I give an ultrasound as a present?
    Yes, "Kijk Nou !" has gift certificates in the value of 5,00 euro, 10,00 euro, 50,00 euro en 80,00 euro. There are also certificates available for a complete ultrasound session.
    The certificates are obtainable in the practice Gezondheidscentrum "de Poort", Cortenbachstraat 130, 5707TJ Helmond. Please call in advance: 0624 995989
    They can also be ordered through e-mail:
    mail@kijknou.net
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