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Pregnancy

really freaked out by 3d scan...

44 replies

happysorts · 17/07/2013 16:48

I'm 34 weeks pregnant and have just got back from a routine growth scan. Baby is healthy and everything was medically fine, so I feel really petty now for thinking this, but the sonographer printed out a 3d scan of the face and I am totally freaked out by it.
The picture just looks odd to me. It has massive lips and a big nose which neither dh or I have. I'm not really sure how to explain this, but I just can't equate the picture with the baby I have inside me. I wish I'd never seen the it. I actually feel disturbed looking at it (although compelled to do so).
I know that the most important thing is that baby is healthy, and I am truely delighted at this. I'm feeling terrible for worrying about anything else.
I guess i'm wondering if anyone else has had a 3d scan that freaked them out? Or a scan that showed massive lips? I have done a few searches and can only find people overjoyed with their scans who say the baby looks just like dad etc...

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elvisola · 17/07/2013 16:52

DD1 3D scan was horrific! She had a massive forehead, huge lips and what looked like a great big plasticine nose.

She came out looking like a squashed baby and has grown into a pretty 6 year old.

Take the pic with a pinch of salt and don't forget that they are distorted by the water/placenta so most aren't a true representation x

vez123 · 17/07/2013 16:53

When I was pregnant first time round I really wanted to get a 3d scan done but this was vetoed by DH. The reason was that everyone had told him that they got freaked out by it, baby looking like ET etc
So we never got it done.

AnythingNotEverything · 17/07/2013 16:59

Other people's freak me out, so were definitely not having one!

Your LO is all squashed up inside and floating in fluid. You probably wouldn't look your best in those circumstances.

MeerkatMerkin · 17/07/2013 16:59

3D scans generally look weird. So do 2D scans if you think about it! Don't worry, your baby will look perfectly normal when she isn't swimming in amniotic fluid in a dark cave!

Sparkeleigh · 17/07/2013 17:04

I don't know if it helps, but I didn't get a 3d scan because they freak me out, I think they all look so weird, even when parents-to-be are gushing over them.

I know my friends 3d scan didn't look anything like her baby when it was born (thankfully, her baby was beautiful and the scan was a bit alien like).

happysorts · 17/07/2013 17:07

Thank you for the quick replies! I've never liked 3d scans either, and had I known that the sonographer was able to switch between 2d/3d i'd have asked her not to!
so my baby might not have mammouth lips then!? I'm going to try and post the pic on my profile so you can all see it. Hang on...

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MrsFlorrick · 17/07/2013 17:08

They are strangely freaky. Didn't have one with DD. just had the ordinary ones and found those lovely. As in seeing DD move around etc.

Had a 4D/3D printouts with DS at 35 weeks after having a massive bleed and having gone into early labour.

The consultant had me in for an additional check up and clearly wanted to reassure me that all was well. However he didn't warn me he was switching on the 3D thing. He just suddenly did.

And there was DS. It was moving and very emotional particularly given the scare we had. But the 3D was freaky.

Not just because of the particular way the picture look but it was like something you're not supposed to see. Like you have peeked at a secret and now you cannot un-see it.

Hard to describe but a very strange experience.

If I had another DC I wouldn't have another of those 3D unless it was medically necessary. And then I wouldn't look.

LynetteScavo · 17/07/2013 17:09

Stick your head in a Goldfish bowl and see if you look anything like you normally do.

HumphreyCobbler · 17/07/2013 17:09

I had one. Baby looked NOTHING like he did upon arrival. I found it really odd too.

Just try to forget about it and put the picture where you can't get at it.

DS was beautiful when he came out Not lumpy or bumpy or squished or like an alien.

MrsFlorrick · 17/07/2013 17:11

Sorry if that last post made no sense.

And if it helps, DS looked nothing like the 3D once he arrived.

I think I was trying to say it somehow seemed wrong to see the baby's face in detail before its born.

SourSweets · 17/07/2013 17:21

Also, they are 3D because they take lots of pictures and combine them, and if the baby's moving some of the angles get combined in a weird way. Not technical I know, but it's true! I wouldn't worry at all! Glad all was well with the scan.

UniqueAndAmazing · 17/07/2013 17:22

they're not real time, i don't think.

plus, babies do look weird and swollen and squished.

happysorts · 17/07/2013 17:23

Thanks again. pic on profile now (I think) where it will stay until I do as Humphrey says and hide all evidence of the scan.

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BeyonceCastle · 17/07/2013 17:23

Yep, DC2 looked like an alien.
Was so worried I showed my normal gynae who promptly put on his 3D equipment and printed from another angle to reassure me she did not have Barry Nanilow's nose

You get so used to the literature/brochure imagery that having an ET photo is very freaky indeed.

Your baby will be lovely.

BeyonceCastle · 17/07/2013 17:24

Manilow obv

BeyonceCastle · 17/07/2013 17:27

Aw that's actually quite a lovely scan. Crap, you should have seen mine.
Your baby will be beautiful.

Floggingmolly · 17/07/2013 17:31

Was it a private scan? They always refused to provide a scan photo in later scans for me, saying the baby was so big you couldn't get an all round view, but maybe it was because of this; the angle distorting everything? Your baby will be beautiful, I promise you.

happysorts · 17/07/2013 17:39

No, It was an NHS scan. She did say that the baby was squashed and grumpy looking.
Its the lips that are scaring me mainly. Looks like its had an allergic reaction. Neither DH or I have big lips.
I'm hoping this is a distortion some how.

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2Labradors · 17/07/2013 17:45

I think it might be a bit of shadowing on the picture too, as it's in black & white.

Your baby will be beautiful.

clabsyqueen · 17/07/2013 17:50

You could be describing my child! Neither I nor OH have big lips or broad noses but this LO certainly has on the 3D scan. Sounds like some squashing is normal. I never want to see another 3D scan again. I actually was shown one accidentally at 12 weeks or so. Truly truly hideous.

FannyFifer · 17/07/2013 17:55

It's totally a distortion, it's not an actual photo.
It works by echoes and sound waves so can look weird depending on position, amount of fluid, prob how much fat between it and baby plus various other things.

Honestly don't worry, every one of these scans look weird with distorted noses etc.

MrsVDB · 17/07/2013 17:58

My friend had a scan which showed huge lips and came out normal. I wouldn't worry

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TobyLerone · 17/07/2013 17:59

3D scan or not, if you're expecting the baby to look like you or DH when it's born, you're probably going to be very disappointed indeed. Babies look like babies. Anyone who reckons they see a family resemblance in a newborn is likely just seeing what they want to see.

As far as 3D scans go, I hate them. DH wants us to have one. I think they're creepy.

happysorts · 17/07/2013 18:04

Me neither clabs!
I think if my scan had major alien like distortions it would be easier for me to discount it, but as its just big features in human form its getting to me more.
The other thing it reminds me of is a picture from one of those Victorian books of the dead.
Anyway, I feel more reassured now so thanks!

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happysorts · 17/07/2013 18:06

I'm sure your right Toby!

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