What could be better than sharing the joy of your pregnancy with your husband? Despite the swollen feet and occasional bouts of nausea, there is a lot of euphoria in being pregnant. The first time the baby moves you are kicked into a whole new dimension of understanding of the miracle of life. We women are the ones making the real effort, with the growing pains and the braxton hicks and the rest, but I do have some sympathy for the men.

We ask that they paint the nursery, ratchet up the income, carry in the baby gifts, attend the labor classes and hold off on their favorite pastimes, if you get my drift. And, for what? For the future, which for them is little more than a third hand experience, a theory, a myth. Yes, they see you look round as a basketball and they feel a baby foot here and there, but they don't get to experience the relationship that is developing between you and the baby that you feel growing inside you everyday.

It seems that pregnancy would be more fun and fair if your husband could get seriously involved. What would it be like if he fell in love with the baby before he or she even arrived? What if, in a tangible way, he could genuinely connect with the baby visually? How would he feel if he could really see the baby nestled in the womb resting peacefully or perhaps moving or smiling? The technology for this experience already exists and is being used safely all over the country. It is called 3D/4D ultrasound and is totally different from the little black and white still photo you receive from your ob-gyn at his office.

State-of-the-art technological equipment now exists that creates 3D and 4D images of the fetus, which are shown in color and in real-time motion. Parents can actually see what the baby is going to look like before he or she is born. Pregnant Moms are actually encouraged to bring family members and friends to the ultrasound session and into the screening room to share in a very special time of bonding.

In this way, the entire family unit as a whole benefits from participating in the pregnancy. Offering the pregnant mother and her family the ability to see their unborn baby and to watch their baby perform in its environment is an unbelievably rewarding experience for all who care to participate. The fetus becomes real, not only to the mother who feels the unborn child's movement all day long, but for the expectant family members who are enamored by actually seeing the baby. Expectant fathers have been seen to kiss their partner's abdomens, begin to cry or gasp with excitement the moment they lay eyes on the baby. Now the father hyper phases into an understanding of the miracle of life occurring within his beloved. The 3D and 4D ultrasound experience is a profound one.

As a by-product to the limited, diagnostic ultrasound experience, the imaging captured by the advanced 3D 4D ultrasound technology creates cherished memories that parents share with others. Consequently, the popularity of this scanning procedure is spreading like wildfire via word-of-mouth between families. Parents can take their limited diagnostic scans to a doctor for medical analysis, or simply enjoy the inherent wonder that the imaging itself provides.

Research shows that 3D and 4D scans are safe for both the mother and the fetus when proper procedures are followed. Although technical data can be gathered from these scans, they are not intended to replace the medical scans required by physicians. Your ob-gyn is the expert on analyzing the health of you and your baby.

As always consult with your physician first. Then select a responsible 3D and 4D ultrasound center, by asking the following questions:

* Does the center require a written order of approval from your doctor verifying that you are far enough along in your pregnancy without complications?

* Does the center follow guidelines similar to those used by AIUM scanners?

* Do they limit the scanning time to 30 minutes?

* Do they prohibit the use of pulsed Doppler?

* Do they use GE Voluson 730 PRO Ultrasound machines set to factory specifications?

* Are the centers audited randomly for safety compliance?

* Is the staff trained in normal maternal fetal precautions during the scanning process including the need for adequate maternal hydration and safe maternal positioning during the scan?

* Most facilities do not have a physician onsite during the scanning process since the goal is not to medically analyze the scan. However, does the center have access to a board certified obstetrician should an unexpected circumstance arise?

If the centers can answer "yes" to all of the above questions, then you can rest assured that you are working with a professional group who is interested in creating a safe, non-medical environment in which you can share the miracle of your baby with your family.

Do your homework on the center in advance. And then set up an appointment to have your entire family to take time to get to know and love your new baby now before he or she is born. Imagine how much lighter the last tri-mester of pregnancy will be when you can really share the excitement with your husband as you wait to be united with the baby you both have seen?