"We’re looking for pictures, not problems," says Crisp.

Many parents come to Womb’s Window to discover their baby’s sex, which is not always able to be determined at their diagnostic ultrasound. Womb’s Window has more time than the doctor’s office staff to spend encouraging babies to move in the right way so that their sex is revealed. If the baby is not cooperating, Crisp says that sometimes the baby will move in response to stimuli, such as music played through a headset on Mom’s belly or a flashlight on Mom’s belly or to Mom eating a snack or taking a sip of soda. If you don’t want to know the sex of the baby, the technician can focus the ultrasound on the upper body and the secret will be kept safe.

Sometimes parents are just curious about the way the baby looks or they want to get a glimpse into the personality of the baby.

"It’s fun because people get to see what their baby is really doing," says Crisp. "Babies open their eyes or play with their feet. Some play with their cord or suck on their hands and feet. They make all kinds of facial expressions. A sweet smile or a grouchy face is a thrill to expectant parents. Sometimes when they swallow they will get a horrible look on their face like you just made them drink pickle juice."

The 3D/4D ultrasound scan is performed by an ultrasound technologist or a registered nurse specially trained in the safe and efficient use of the equipment and in obtaining the best images possible of your baby. Crisp is a registered nurse in Maternal Child Health who became fascinated with the technology after a co-worker showed her the 3D images of his baby. She later left nursing to start Womb’s Window in Wilmington, which was the only such business in the state when she opened in 2003.

"I believe that offering expectant families the opportunity to bond with their baby in this way will increase their commitment to maintaining their own health and well being," Crisp says.

You may have your ultrasound as early as 18 weeks, however, the best time to see details of your baby’s features is between 28 to 32 weeks, when the baby has more fat on his/her body but still has room to move around.

"It’s so fascinating," says Crisp. "All babies look different and their personalities are different. Some like to keep their hands in their face, with other babies if you want to see their hands or feet you will have to go on a search to find them sitting on their hands or hiding their feet behind the placenta. Some are very cooperative and move if you jiggle them a little bit but others don’t care what you do, they are stubborn as can be. Some are extremely busy and never stay still and others are very lazy and don’t do much at all."