3D/4D Ultrasound
So my husband and I decided that it would be fun to have one of those fancy ultrasounds with the DVD and pictures and all. My OB suggested not getting one until after we’d had our “medical” ultrasound, claiming that if there is anything wrong, it’s scary to see it in full color, 3D/4D imagery. Plus, he said, something can look a lot worse than it is on those screenings. So, we took his advice, had our medical ultrasound and everything is fine.We began looking into the facilities that offer these “fun” ultrasounds, and discovered that one in Creve Coeur, MO has closed its doors. We found another one in O’Fallon, MO called Ultrasona, so we called. We got a recorded message stating that their summer hours are Thursday, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. We left a message. No one called us back. We left another message, and no one called us back. Last night, we decided to drive to O’Fallon (about 20 minutes from our home) and “walk in.”
They were not welcoming! The woman who answers the phone told me there was “no way we can get you in before September.” Mind you — no one was there except us and two employees. I expressed some concern that it would be too late to get good pictures that late in my pregnancy (I’m almost 30 weeks now) and the woman who I assume does the screenings said “that’s not true at all.” I reminded her that her own web site says:
“Most 3D/4D ultrasounds are done between 24 and 34 weeks. Prior to 24 weeks, babies have not started putting on brown fat so they won’t have the “Gerber Baby” look. Around 27 to 28 weeks is usually considered the ideal time, because the baby does have some fat and still has plenty of room to move. However, if the mother happens to be a little more on the full-figured side, it’s better to wait until around 32 weeks. After 34 weeks, the baby begins to get a little squished and may be facing the spine, which is the position for birth.”
Then she started backpedaling a little and showing me pictures of screenings that were done after 32 weeks.
No one explained why they hadn’t called us back, or offered any apologies for the fact that we had to drive out there to get our questions answered. Then I asked them when their hours might increase to accommodate more appointments, and she said, “I don’t know.” That’s it. No other explanations, no nothing. And, of course, they told us they were the only game in town. So, we went ahead and scheduled an appointment for mid-September, and then I came home to do more research.
My husband found a Web site called 1800sonogram.com, and he emailed them for more information. They emailed us the name of a place in Belleville, IL (about an hour, maybe more in traffic from our home) called Precious Preview. I called and emailed them last night, and guess what? They tried to call me back last night, and emailed me again this morning. Wow! Customer service. They want my business.
I spoke to Jamie at Precious Preview this morning, and I have an appointment for next Tuesday evening. She walked me through the package pricing online (which is competitive with the place in O’Fallon) and told me that if I prepay for my package online, I get a 15 percent discount. Smiles all around.
Customer service makes the difference, even if you’re one of the only games in town. If Ultrasona could get me in earlier, I still wouldn’t spend my money with them after my experience there last night. I hope other St. Louis metropolitan area pregnant moms will keep Belleville in mind if they’re wanting to drop some cash on this fun “extra” of pregnancy.
