Novant Health OB/GYN now offers 3-D ultrasound technology.

The technology creates the opportunity, using sound waves like regular ultrasounds, to see a full 3-D photo of a developing baby.

“For many new moms and dads, this technology not only offers an early glance at their baby’s appearance, it’s also a tool to detect potential birth defects,” Novant Health spokeswoman Amy Myers said.

The technology uses sound waves moving in different directions to create a 3-D image. This technology is an improvement on the 2-D ultrasound technology, which only provides waves in one direction, resulting in a flat image.

Novant Health OB/GYN offers 3-D ultrasound technology for both diagnostic and non-diagnostic purposes.

Diagnostic ultrasounds are exams conducted routinely to track a baby’s development, or as needed, to look further at the baby’s development due to a medical need.

Typical 2-D photos can still be used to determine a baby’s sex around 20 weeks, and 3-D photos are taken between 26 and 30 weeks to provide a more dynamic look and check for any potential complications.