Ultrasound has been available since the 1960’s, allowing doctors and parents to “see” a child before birth, but the blurry images could be very difficult for lay people to interpret. Now, these images are blurry no longer.

A new technology brings clear, three-dimensional images that show the developing baby in remarkable detail. Its developer, GE Medical Systems, calls it a 4D ultrasound system. The fourth dimension they refer to is time since the ultrasound 3D images are updated continuously, allowing the viewer to see the baby’s movements in “real time.”

You may have seen the remarkable TV advertisement showing a woman with a look of wonder and joy as she views the beautiful, moving image of her baby’s face and hand on the screen. How can anyone question the humanity of the child, or condone abortion, after seeing these pictures?

You can also view them on the GE Medical Systems web site . (You may need to download the free flash player software first to see the images; a hot link is on the GE web page.)

Published in VSHL Lifesaver, August 2002