Aug 11

Written by: blush
8/11/2009 11:18 AM
This week we had one of the most incredible experiences of our lives. I’m still struggling to find the right words to describe it. This week we had a 3D ultrasound experience with UC Baby.

After my immense disappointment at not being able to find out our baby’s gender at the 20-week scan, we weighed up what we wanted to do. We could either give up trying to find out the gender, have a 3D ultrasound, or wait for my placenta previa scan at 32 weeks (the placenta is a bit too close to the cervix at the moment so I need another scan to make sure it’s moved far enough away). Being the impatient person I am, and because Husbando and I had already agreed that we wanted all baby-related tasks to be completed by 30 weeks, we decided to go the 3D route.

The staff at UC Baby was fantastic. Not only do they offer full scans, which last 45 minutes each, they also do shorter scans (15 minutes) just to find out the gender. Each of the scanning rooms can accommodate up to eight people, so you can bring your family and friends to meet the baby, but there is one service they offer that made the whole thing even more special for us.

UC Baby is able to broadcast the scan over the Internet. For us this meant that Husband’s family, and my best friend in the UK, could be a part of it all. In this day and age, when the people we are closest to are often scattered all over the country or the world, being able to include them in such a momentous occasion is priceless. Each person is given their own log-in (you can have up to four email addresses) and they can see and hear everything you do.

When we arrived at the scan I was nervous. After the crushing disappointment of not finding out the gender at the 20-week scan, I had tried very hard not to get my hopes up (even though I knew that the chances of finding out with a 3D scan were much higher). Our tech instantly put me at ease, and after a few minutes of set-up we were able to get started.

I can’t explain the amazingness of seeing the picture jump from a regular 2D image into a 3D picture. Suddenly, there in front of us, was a picture of our baby. I was shocked at how clear and precise the features were. You could very clearly make out the lips, eyes, and cheeks. I could tell it has Husband’s nose and my cheeks it was startling to see our features combined on this little creature. After a tour of our baby’s face, arms, legs, hands, and feet (still look larger but with adorable toes), the tech asked us if we were ready to find out the gender. I grabbed Husband’s hand and the tech had to manoeuvre several angles until he was able to show us that we are having a baby GIRL! Thrill and exhilaration rushed through me. A girl. A daughter, OUR daughter is all of a sudden we were a family. Tears filled my eyes as we stared at the face of the daughter we would meet in 18 weeks. Such a truly incredible experience.

My husband and I can’t stop talking about the scan and the discovery that we are having a daughter. It has definitely made the experience far more real and immediate. I think both the scan and finding out the gender have made a massive difference to him. It must be hard for husbands and fathers to feel involved in the pregnancy. I get to feel every little move, every kick and every day I discover a new way in which my body has changed to sustain this baby, both now and after the birth. But there is nothing for him to feel yet (and thankfully, his belly isn’t growing!) This scan has made it real for him, and I think that plays a vital part in his bonding with our daughter.

UC Baby has clinics across Canada and I can’t recommend them enough. The 3D scan has definitely been one of the best things about the pregnancy so far. We will be having another 3D scan at 30 weeks in one of their other offices and they are hoping to have upgraded their Internet broadcasting to include two-way communication (right now the people watching can hear you but you can’t hear them) so I can’t wait to tell you about that, but in the meantime I leave you pictures of our daughter’s