Being pregnant can play havoc with any sane woman’s nerves. From the ever present thoughts of ‘am I eating the right things?’, ‘where is the best place to have my baby?’, ‘can I take this cold and flu medication?’ to the more profound concerns of life: ‘what type of person will my child be?’ ‘what kind of mother will I be?’ ‘what will my baby’s face look like?’ But now the question of your baby’s face is no longer the privilege of one’s imagination, as 4D scanning from Baby Premier enables the mother (and father) to get a clear image of their unborn child. Using the latest 4D ultrasound machines the scans generate real-time moving images and allows both parents to bond with the baby while still in the womb – or at least that’s the theory.

Having first launched in 2004 with only two locations, Baby Premier has now grown to over 10 clinics across the UK with a further 10 more clinic’s being scheduled to open later on this year. To date the overall response from patients has been a positive one but I wanted to see for myself if the 4D experience is really as magical and as touching as it all sounds and are the images generated from the scan a vast improvement on the generic hospital black and white ones; where you cannot make out a head from an arm from a foot.

So I begin my research by accompanying young married couple Chantelle and Chika Nwosu to their 4D appointment. ‘It’s the fact that you could see the baby’s face and have a preview of what he would look like’ replies administration assistant Chantelle when I asked her the reason for the having the scan done. ‘You are actually seeing what the baby would look like before he’s here; he’s not in your arms. Also it was so clear; you could see his nose, his eyes, his mouth – everything!’

As Chantelle, Chika and I sit transfixed to the large flat screen TV, beholding every movement of their baby boy as he lies nestled inside his mummy’s tummy; it’s difficult not to be impressed at the clarity and definition of his features. ‘He’s got your nose’, remarks Chantelle and then with a quick turn in Chika’s direction the whole room laughs in agreement. I am keen to find out what it feels like from the father perspective, to finally get a glimpse of your unborn child while he is still residing in the womb. ‘It’s an amazing feeling’, states the business manager from Northwood, Greater London, ‘to know that your baby is healthy and well and he looks beautiful.’ And did the images help you bond with the baby? ‘Yes, because I can actually put a face to the name we already have for him.’

While I cannot deny the benefits of seeing your baby’s face before he is born I can’t help wonder if a 4D scan, while beneficial, is an unnecessary, luxury expense. With prices starting at £95 the scan isn’t cheap and the niggling question of value for money is ever present. ‘Some people like to leave things until the baby is born; they don’t want to know the sex or any details about the baby’, explains 25-year-old Chantelle, ‘if you are impatient like us, then yes it is worth it. For people who want to know then it is definitely value for money – do it!’ And after what I witnessed today – I just might.

To book an appointment with Baby Premier or for more information on 4D scanning, as well as the vast range of other scans, please visit www.babypremier.co.uk