Based at Dean Street in Kilkenny City, the new service avails of cutting-edge technology to bring 4D moving images of unborn babies to life. The scanner also offers expectant mothers in the Southeast an alternative to travelling to Ireland's only other 4D ultrasound scanners in Dublin and Ballinasloe.

"4D ultrasound works similarly to the traditional ultrasound except that the ultrasound waves are directed from multiple angles. The waves are reflected back and captured and together provide enough information to construct a moving three dimensional image of the foetus in much the same way as 3D movies", explained Dr. Ray O'Sullivan, Consultant Obstetrician/Gynaecologist with the Women’s Health Group.

Dr. O'Sullivan, who is a consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist at St. Luke's Hospital Kilkenny, added, “From a yawn to a stretch, or the beating of a baby's heart, the live images will enable physicians and patients to view a baby's first movements inside the womb more clearly. By viewing foetal movement patterns, we can better assess a baby's development."

One of the more interesting aspects of the state-of-the-art 4D equipment is that expecting families are able to bring home a DVD or still images of their scan.

According to Dr. Trevor Hayes of the Women’s Health Group, "The new scanner effectively caters for over a million people in the southern half of the country."

He continued, "It will be particular benefit to expectant mothers and their partners in Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Carlow, Waterford, Cork, Tipperary and Laois, who previously had to travel long distances to avail of the service. At present, the only other 4D Ultrasound scanners in the country are based in Ballinasloe and Dublin."

Ms. Jo Scobie, Midwife Sonographer Specialist with the Women's Health Group stated, "Spending just a few extra minutes with a mother-to-be during her fetal ultrasound exam can pay off by strengthening her bond with the unborn baby and quelling her anxiety. A recent study has confirmed the ability of ultrasound to help with this psychological bond and views of the baby’s face are most important."

Dr. Ray O'Sullivan is a Consultant Senior Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and has held consultant posts at the National Maternity, Rotunda and the Mater Hospitals in Dublin.

Dr. Trevor Hayes has been a consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist at St. Luke's Hospital Kilkenny since mid-2006. The UCC-graduate previously practiced in Glasgow, Scotland.

Longford-native Ms. Jo Scobie, who has undertaken advanced ultrasound training in Scotland, recently moved to Kilkenny following 20 years service in the NHS.

For further information call the Women's Health Group, Dean Street, Kilkenny at 056-7795302 or log on to www.womenshealth.ie

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