What to Expect at Your Elective Ultrasound Appointment

Q: How early should I book?

For the clearest 3D/4D images, we recommend 26–32 weeks — you can read our full week-by-week timing guide for the details on why.

katrina stevenson
Aug 2
3 min read

Booking your first elective ultrasound comes with a little bit of "what do I even do to prepare?" — totally normal. Here's a straightforward walkthrough of what your visit to Babes & Bellies actually looks like, from the days before to the moment you walk out with your photos.

Before you arrive

There's no complicated prep required. A few simple things help your session go smoothly:

Stay hydrated in the days leading up to your appointment — good hydration generally supports clearer imaging.
Wear something comfortable that makes it easy to access your belly, like a two-piece outfit or a dress you can lift.
Arrive a few minutes early so you're settled in and relaxed before your session starts, rather than rushing in.

Bring the people you want to share this with

This is one of our favorite parts of what we do — an ultrasound session doesn't have to be just you and a technician in a quiet room. We can comfortably fit up to 10 people in the room with you, so bring your partner, your kids, your parents, whoever you want in the room for this moment. If you're hoping to bring a larger group than that, just reach out ahead of time and we'll help you plan for it.

During your session

Sessions run about 30 minutes, giving enough time to get settled, capture great images, and enjoy watching your baby move on the big screen without feeling rushed. Your technician will guide you through the session, let you know what you're looking at as they go, and work to get baby into a good position for clear images — though as any parent-to-be quickly learns, babies have their own opinions about cooperating on cue.

After your session

Once your session wraps up, you'll leave with your keepsakes — printed images are included, and if you've added on our True View 8K enhancement, we'll process those separately and get them to you within a few business days, either by email or mailed to your door.

If your baby wasn't in a cooperative position and we weren't able to get the images you were hoping for, we offer the option to come back for an additional session for a $50 fee.

A few common questions

Is this the same as my doctor's ultrasound? No — our sessions are elective and non-diagnostic, meaning they're built for bonding and keepsakes rather than medical evaluation. They don't replace the prenatal care and diagnostic scans your provider offers.

How early should I book? For the clearest 3D/4D images, we recommend 26–32 weeks — you can read our full week-by-week timing guide for the details on why.

Can I find out gender at my appointment? Yes, gender determination is available starting at 15 weeks. If keeping the surprise for a reveal is part of your plan, let us know and we'll help make sure it stays one.

For more, visit our full Ultrasound FAQ page — we've answered the questions we hear most often about packages, policies, and what's included.

Ready to book your session?

Whether it's your first ultrasound or you're coming back for another glimpse later in pregnancy, we'd love to have you. Book your appointment or browse our ultrasound packages to find the right fit for where you are in your pregnancy.