“They just like are a little skeletal feature and this is you know it's like what you're going to see when she comes out, so it's very cool,” says expectant mother Christie Gay.

“It is really is incredible to see how far they've come in the technology because you go from this grainy black and white image that tells you yes you have a child to this full on 3D picture that actually gives you depth and clarity of what your baby looks like, it's really, really spectacular,” says Keith Gay, an expectant father.

These excited parents have had several 2D ultrasounds, the ones we’re used to seeing, but they just experienced newer technology.

There are approximately 6 million pregnancies every year. Expectant mothers have ultra sounds to check to make sure the baby is developing properly and healthy.
While regular 2D ultra sounds have been around since World War II, newer technology, the 3D/4D ultrasound shows a baby's movement and features.

News 3's Randi Hempel went along as one expectant couple got the best view of their baby before she's born.

Keith and Christie laugh as they look at their baby on the monitor.

“See the little eyelids, sometimes they open their eyes. I can scroll it back a few frames there,” says Tammy Ramsey, registered diagnostic medical sonographer at Women’s Health Group in Brunswick, GA.

“Oh wow.” Christie is amazed.

Keith and Christie Gay ooooh and aaaah at their daughter, Casey, as they watch her move around and make faces two months before she's born, all through the technology of the 4D ultrasound.

"Every time we go to the doctor, he wants an ultrasound so he can see the baby, so I just thought it would be a better way to see her more realistically before she was born.” Explains Christie.

And for father's who don't get to experience every kick and cramp of a pregnancy,
“It certainly makes it more real from a father's aspect. We don't get the priviledge or the benefit or however you want to put it of actually getting to feel all of that motion and all that creation and growth and so this is a really good way to go in and see how things one are progressing and to get to see that as it all transpired and it kind of makes you a little more of a part of the process. I've pretty much come to just about every doctor's appointment we've had so far and I think that's been important as a father.” Says Keith.

Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, Tammy Ramsey, of Women’s Health Group in Brunswick, GA, says it's also great for deployed dads and even soon to be siblings.

And the 4D is a big difference from the grainy 2D pictures we're used to seeing.

“It's incredible. It's just absolutely incredible.” Says Christie with excitement.
“You're messing with me. Oh, that is funny. Oh my gosh, look at that.” Keith is amazed by Casey hiding her face with her hands and then uncovering it.

Besides allowing parents to get the best view of their baby, the 3D/4D ultrasound allows doctors to look at blood vessels, internal organs, the spine and evaluate suspected cleft lip and palate, spina bifida, vascular anomalies and genetic syndromes.

“That's the whole key is to find things before the birth, you know because a lot of things can be fixed in utero and it's just better to know about problems ahead of time. 658 but most babies are born very healthy.” Explains Tammy Ramsey, Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer with Women’s Health Group in Brunswick.
Knowing Casey will be healthy and seeing how cute she is is a great present for these parents.

“It was a birthday present if you will, it turned out, it was incredible. Stunning, she's gorgeous, just like her mother.” Keith smiles and Christie rolls her eyes, smiling and laughing.

Keith and Christie had to go to Brunswick for the 3-D, 4-D ultrasound because they couldn't get one here. Their doctor doesn't offer them and for those who do, you have to be a patient.

Memorial and St. Joseph's - Candler do have the technology, but only use it at the request of a physician. The medical sonographer we spoke to says the technology needs to be used prudently and it's not for entertainment.

If you would like to see more video of the 3D/4D Ultrasound, click here.

For more on what expectant parents, Keith and Christie have to say, click here.