Here's looking at you kid

For some parents, nine months is too long to wait before getting a good view of their little bundle of joy. A new service is cutting short that wait, enabling parents to view the baby via a 4D/3D ultrasound and be pampered at the same time.

A Peek of U opened earlier this month at Serenity Spas in the Wollongong CBD.

The service should not replace a 2D medical diagnostic ultrasound, but is a fun experience that can strengthen the bond between baby and parent, says owner Ray Jordan.

On the 4D/3D ultrasound, the baby's facial features can be more easily identified, establishing a better parent-foetal connection, says Jordan.

"There's the parents and family reaction that it's something that looks like a baby. It's something that people relate to better," he says. "In 4D the baby might be doing a big yawn in real time or motion, and suck its toes as it's doing it. It's great for observing in-utero behaviour."

During the procedure, babies have even responded to family members in the room.

"The baby was yawning and a sibling made a noise and it smiled. It was on video loop so we could roll it back. Then dad said something and the baby turned to look over its shoulder and catch the sound better," Jordan says.

He adds that studies have shown that after using 3D ultrasound mothers took better care of themselves. They also shared the ultrasound photos with family and friends, which helped strengthen their support networks.

It also enhances the parental-foetal bond and reduces anxiety in parents. Mothers are better able to visualise the baby before birth and reported having a more immediate sense of knowing the baby after birth, Jordan says.

Studies also reveal that as a result of feeling more connected to the unborn child, and a stronger sense of well-being and reassurance about the pregnancy, ultrasounds evoked increased commitment to an improved diet, exercise and quitting smoking.

Plus, Jordan says, parents often like to see whose facial features the baby has adopted. Continued...