Advice for Video of Ultrasound

Updated on September 23, 2008
K.M. asks from Sunnyvale, CA
18 answers

Hi everyone,
I have my 18 week ultrasound on Monday and am told that I might be able to get a video file of it. Has anyone done this? If so, did you just bring a USB drive or CD for the technician to save it for you? Alternatively, did you just videotape the session?
Thanks, K.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thanks for all of the quick responses! I did call the doctor's office and they said they did not have the technology to burn the footage onto a cd or dvd but that we could video record the monitor. When we arrived, we double checked with the technician to see if it was ok with him, and he said that he didn't have the capability to record onto cd/dvd/vhs, but if we filmed it with our camera, he was fine with it. Now I have some video footage of my son!!

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.K.

answers from San Francisco on

I was told to bring a regular VHS video and some friends who had it done also had it taped onto a VHS.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.C.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi K.,
I went to Kaiser hospital in Santa Rosa and they didn't let me
get a video of my ultrasound. However, I had two ultrasounds
3d/4d done at prenatal peek (24 wks and 36 weeks). It was awesome...I highly recommend this.
http://www.prenatalpeek.com/northbay/
Quick Peek Package - $100
(best booked at 18 weeks and after)
is the package that I did. They have different locations. I find that it was hard to see the details in the 2d ultrasound
but in the 3d/4d it was very easy.
good luck bye K.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.F.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi K.,

We brought in a dvd but you should ask the techinician or the nurse where you are having the ultrasound. It was fun to take home and share with the family. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from San Francisco on

I just had mine not too long ago and my husband brought our digital camera and took a movie of the ultra sound monitor. Our doctor's office did offer to make a video tape of it but only VHS and we actually don't have a VCR anymore. Ask your doctor's office if they offer anything and, if not, try the digital camera movie thing we did. It worked great but you have to watch your comments, as they will be on there too. Congratulations!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.D.

answers from San Francisco on

The place we went for all out ultrasounds always provided us with a CD of photos & video of our ultrasound for that visit.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.P.

answers from San Francisco on

We had a video ultrasound at our first trimester screening, and the ultasound techniican provided the CD/DVD. It depends on where you have the screening conducted - there may be an extra charge (I think I paid $10, and this included the addition of any future ultrasounds if needed) and you may need to provide your own CD. Are you able to contact the department/organization prior to your appointment to find out the details?

I decided to get the video (a) for the memory box, and (b) because my husband could not be at that appointment with me because he was out of the country. It's a neat memento to have.

Hope this helps,
A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.B.

answers from San Francisco on

K.,

I had this done during my last pregnancy. The facility provided the blank DVD for me, and they charged me a fee of $25 I believe. The DVD was great as it also had our voices on it as well as the doctor's voice describing what we were looking at. I highly recommend it!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.G.

answers from Modesto on

Depends on your physician/hospital policies. I have had Kaiser as well as medi-cal and both did not offer me assistance with this. This was in 2001 when I had my babies so the idea of "technology' has probably changed by now.
It wont' hurt to contact my dr. and ask for this assistance- they will tell you what to bring and what your limits are and timesframes.. and all that. Good luck and how exciting!! Congratulations!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Yuba City on

hi K., I just brought in a old timing tape for a VCR, and they did there measurements then they told to me go pee one more time and went out and got my husband and my mother in law. Laid me back down got the tape in a recorded about 10 mins for us. It was neat having but the only down fall not that many people have VCR's anymore so you will have to take it to Walgreens to trnsfer it to DVD, I think for 20.00. Never did it. Congulations, good luck! its amazing thing and such a wonderful keepsakes. We are lucking in our area they offer that cause alot bigger cities wont let you record them anymore. They also give you pictures so if you forget dont worry.

N.P.

answers from San Francisco on

My lab only had a VCR hooked up to the machine to do the recording. It was audio free. We saw everything just like it was on the monitor though, even the tech's little arrow cursor pointing around at stuff and she typed things on the screen next to freeze frames. She's play the ultrasound then hit pause and type with one hand, "FEET" next to where the feet were etc.

But yea, you need to call and find out what kind of media to bring because not all labs are created equal. Some don't realize it's not 1985 anymore.

Also, if you bring a DVD, bring two. Sometimes when they manufacture dvd's they can be unwritable and won't let anything get burned to it. (We call these "coasters")It's nice to have a backup just in case you brought a dud.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.E.

answers from San Francisco on

I did that 7 yrs ago and had to bring a video tape. Times change, so I would call and ask what to bring.
Stephanie

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.Z.

answers from San Francisco on

Hello K.,
congrats on the baby. When I was 20 weeks pregnant with my daughter, I got a 3D ultra sound done. It was the coolest thing, we could see everything, right down to the babies facial features. depending on where you get your ultra sound done, if they didn't tell you to bring a usb drive or a cd/dvd disk with you to your appointment, you probably wont need to. I had my ultra sound done in the city, at a place called 3d babyVu. They had different packages to choose from, costing around $85.00 and up. No matter what package you choose from, for an extra $5.00 you can get the entire ultra sound on VHS, or for $10.00 you can get a dvd. Either way, they provide the tape or dvd. If its a place that offers video of the ultra sound, they should provide what is needed.
For only $120.00 at 3d BabyVu in Millbrae, we got 10 3/d pictures in color,a 15 minute dvd of the baby moving inside of me, and the pleasure of knowing who the baby was going to look like before she was born.(my husband) It was well worth it. I will cherish that dvd for ever. Its so amazing to see my child moving around inside me, and so clear. I would recommend the 3d ultra sound to any expectant mother.
If you are able to, I would bring a video camera and video tape your ultra sound appointment. Epically if it is your 1st ultra sound. Mostly to capture your reaction to seeing your baby for the 1st time. I wish my husband and I had done that. That is my biggest regret, I would love to go back and see my hubies face again when they said "looks like a little girl" Priceless. Good luck. A. Z.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.L.

answers from Sacramento on

I did it two different ways. The first time I was living down in the Bay and asked for the CD in the Radiology department. It took maybe 10 minutes and, I think, it was free. The other time we were living up here and I called Kaiser and asked them to send me a copy of my ultrasound. They burned it on a CD and sent it to me, free of charge. It was, actually, pretty easy.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.W.

answers from San Francisco on

For insurance/legal issues they won't let you videotape. Call ahead and see if you need to bring a CD, tape, etc. If you bring the wrong one you will lose out forever.

Congratulations

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.H.

answers from Sacramento on

Each location is different. Some places only provide black and white ultrasound still pictures. Some places have it hooked up do to VHS/VCR recordings if you bring a tape. Some have it hooked up to do DVD recordings if you bring a DVD. I would call ahead of time to ask.

If a problem comes up with the fetus (e.g. potential for Down Syndrome), you would be covered for a 3D/4D ultrasound. But, a lot of people are paying full price for theirs. The latest technology in 3D/4D is amazing. If I were to have another child, I would pay well over $200 to do 3D/4D. It's worth every penny.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Check with your technician to see what they have available. We video taped the screen and it came out just fine. I'm sure it would be nicer to have it on DVD, but if that is not an option, taping the screen works.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.H.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi K.! How exciting! When we had our ultrasound the MD put it on a CD for us; we didn't have to bring it or anything. She gave it to us after the first ultrasound and told us to bring it back each time and she would add to it! We did not video tape at all. The CD is quite cool! Enjoy being pregnant; I loved it!
J.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.B.

answers from Stockton on

Hi K.,

Congrats on your first pregnancy! Two years ago I went to Tate Diagnostic in Stockton for a 3D ultrasound. They offered an option of putting the ultrasound on DVD for you for an additional $50. You could see everything that was shown on the screen and it also recorded the ambient sound in the room. Therefore, you can hear our questions about the ultrasound, the technician's answers, and just quiet music in the background.

However, just to be safe, I would call ahead and check the facility's policies. Have fun!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches