Need Advice on 3D Ultrasound

I did some poking around on the Internet and this is the only negative article I can find: http://www3.whdh.com/features/articles/healthcast/BO15849/
So, if you don't get one done by someone who only says they're a technician and are not actually licensed, it's possible it could be harmful. That's not a lot of harm in my opinion. The FDA regulates all ultrasound equipment and no evidence yet has surfaced that shows that ultrasounds are harmful.
That said, I had one done (didn't request it, they just sort of flipped the machine on one day and asked me if I wanted to do it) and it was amazing. It didn't really show me who my son looked like, but it sure was a lot better than looking at those black and white ones with scary outlined eye sockets. It was great to show to relatives, especially my grandma who was from the era when you just had to guess until the baby showed up. It also made me feel better to see a whole baby because I had been having strange dreams of a baby missing body parts (aack!!).
I would consider one to be perfectly safe to have during your pregnancy. Just don't go all TomKat and buy your own machine. :o)

First of all, if it is not safe, they wouldn't be offering it to you or any other moms out there. It can only be used between 28 to 36 weeks and only be used maybe 1-3 times at a time. My best friend had a 3D ultrasound and they even ejoyed it and they get a dvd of the 3D pictures that they can have for life and once their child gets older, they can show it to their son. It is amazing what you see inside your belly. You'll be able to see the feature of your baby. It is your choice. At my ob/gyn office, they advertise the 3D ultrasound of their choice whether they want it done or not. So, it is safe to use. It won't hurt the baby. If it does, they wouldn't be advertising or offering the moms for 3D ultrasound. Your choice whether you want it or not.
Good luck!

Hi K.,
I had a 3D ultrasound done when I was pregnant with my second child. It was scheduled at 24 weeks, when I was scheduled to have my "regular" ultrasound. They did whatever they needed to with the regular ultrasound and then switched it over to the 3D view. (It's my understanding that the baby is exposed to exactly the same sort of waves that they're exposed to with a normal ultrasound.) It was absolutely amazing! I could see my baby girl in there (and with 3D, there was no question that she was a girl =) - she was sucking her thumb, kicking her little feet. It was the neatest thing ever.

So my opinion is, it's safe and a lot of fun, too. Plus, the pictures they give you afterward actually LOOK like a baby, instead of those grainy pictures you normally get, where you have to tell people, "This is the baby's head and this is sort of where the feet are, and we are 70% sure it's a boy" and people sort of nod and pretend they see what you're talking about. With the 3D it's like showing them a real baby picture!

Often times medical procedures and medications are performed on the assumption they are safe and later are found to be otherwise. Doctors do not do things intentionally but research and long term effect studies are not available at this time. DO NOT ASSUME it is safe just because it is performed. Ultrasound is a form of heat and energy. This is being transmitted to a baby who is developing organs and tissues. We don't know the impact. You have to weigh the benefits of doing it. Are you trying to find out valuable information of a concern or do you just want to see a neat picture of your baby. Decide based on the necessity of the procedure. Good luck and congratulations.