Expecting parents searching for a 3D ultrasound Herndon VA families trust will find that the drive to Baby Realz in Leesburg — just 20 to 25 minutes from Herndon — opens the door to something distinctly different from a standard prenatal appointment. This is a studio built for keepsake experiences, led by a sonographer with 27 years of OB/GYN imaging behind her. For Herndon families who want lifelike portraits of their baby before delivery, this guide covers what 3D imaging shows, when to come, and what makes the experience worth your time.
Last reviewed: July 2026
A 3D ultrasound renders multiple two-dimensional image slices of your baby into a single three-dimensional still portrait, showing facial features, hands, and body with far more detail than the flat silhouette of a standard 2D prenatal scan. The images are designed for bonding and keepsake purposes — not for clinical measurement or diagnosis — and they often show detail that surprises families who were only expecting something slightly better than what they'd seen at their OB's office.
The difference between 2D diagnostic imaging and 3D keepsake imaging is significant. At a prenatal appointment, the ultrasound is calibrated for measurement — fetal size, organ development, amniotic fluid levels. The image is the byproduct of a clinical process. At Baby Realz, the image is the whole point.
The AIUM — the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine — notes that ultrasound technology has been applied in obstetric care for more than 50 years without confirmed adverse effects at standard exposure levels. Elective studios like Baby Realz operate within those same safety parameters, using qualified sonographers and appropriate session lengths.
Herndon families who come expecting a slightly better prenatal scan tend to leave having experienced something quite different — a room full of people watching their baby yawn on a large screen. It's an emotional experience that 2D imaging simply cannot replicate.
Lifelike still images of baby's face and body. Ideal for printed and framed keepsakes.
Real-time video of baby's expressions, stretching, and motion. The most emotionally impactful format.
Enhanced lighting and texture on top of 3D/4D. The sharpest, most lifelike look available.
Most Herndon families book either 4D or HD sessions because they want to watch their baby move — not just see a still image. The 4D format is the one where grandparents gasp, where older siblings suddenly understand there's a real person coming, where partners who've felt a little disconnected from the pregnancy catch up all at once.
HD is the natural choice for families who want the most detailed possible images — especially for a face shot good enough to frame. The rendering makes a visible difference on features like lips, nose, and cheeks.
All formats are available at Baby Realz. The full comparison is on the ultrasound packages page.
Timing matters more than most families realize before they book. Come too early and the images are good but facial features aren't yet fully developed. Come too late and baby has less room to move and face the camera. The sweet spot is a roughly six-week window in the third trimester.
Before 20 weeks: Baby is small and active. Great for heartbeat keepsakes, not ideal for detailed 3D facial portraits.
20–26 weeks: Movement is excellent. Facial features are emerging. A good window for 4D movement footage, though 3D facial detail improves in the weeks ahead.
26–32 weeks: The optimal window. Baby has developed sufficient facial fat for rounded, recognizable features. Fluid levels support good imaging. Movement is still frequent. This is where most Herndon families get the images they were hoping for.
32–36 weeks: Features are fully developed — potentially the clearest facial detail of any window. Baby is larger, so positioning can be more limited, but Amy's 27 years of imaging experience means she can work with difficult angles effectively.
For Herndon families accustomed to polished experiences, Baby Realz is built to match that standard. The studio at 880 Harrison St SE in Leesburg is private, warm, and designed specifically for this kind of moment — not a converted exam room, not a clinical waiting area.
Amy Davidson, the ARDMS-registered founder and lead sonographer, has spent 27 years in OB/GYN imaging. Her background in clinical sonography means she understands fetal positioning, knows how to adapt when baby is being uncooperative, and brings a level of technical skill to elective imaging that most keepsake studios don't offer.
Sessions begin with 2D imaging to establish positioning, then transition into your chosen 3D/4D or HD format. The large viewing screen means everyone you've brought is watching live — not leaning over a small monitor in a corner. You see your baby in real time. Amy points out what she's capturing. If baby hides, she has techniques to encourage movement. Most families leave with the images they came for.
Herndon families who've made the drive to Baby Realz consistently describe the same moment: the room goes quiet when baby appears on screen. Then someone cries. It happens almost every time, and it never gets less meaningful.
The families who leave happiest tend to have done a few simple things in advance. None are complicated.
Drink more water than usual in the 24 to 48 hours before your visit. Increased fluid intake improves amniotic fluid clarity, which directly impacts image quality. It's the most effective thing most families can do before a session.
A small sugary snack or drink about 30 minutes before your appointment — orange juice, a candy bar — often increases fetal activity. A more active baby is a more expressive baby on the 4D.
If your OB has mentioned an anterior placenta — one positioned on the front wall of your uterus — share that with Amy before the session. An anterior placenta affects which imaging angles work best, and knowing ahead of time allows her to adapt her approach from the start rather than partway through.
Don't undersell the guest list. The studio was built for a room full of people sharing this moment together. Grandparents, siblings, best friends — the viewing screen accommodates a crowd, and the reactions of the people you love are often what Herndon families remember most clearly.
A 3D/4D/HD session is often the starting point, not the whole visit. Baby Realz offers several services that pair naturally with a keepsake ultrasound appointment.
Heartbeat animals are stuffed keepsakes containing a recording of your baby's actual heartbeat from your session. They can be added to any visit and are available from 10 weeks of pregnancy onward. Many Herndon families add one to their 3D/4D visit and realize only afterward how often they end up reaching for it.
Gender determination is available via SneakPeek DNA testing at 6+ weeks or via ultrasound at 14+ weeks. Families who already know the gender from a clinical anatomy scan can skip this, but families who want to know early — and want the full live reveal experience — often plan their 14+ week gender visit first and their 3D/4D session second.
If you have questions about combining services or planning your visit from Herndon, the team at Baby Realz is easy to reach at (571) 571-4446 or through the contact page.
Baby Realz is at 880 Harrison St SE, Suite 29/31, Leesburg, VA 20175. From Herndon, the drive is typically 20 to 25 minutes via Route 7 West or the Dulles Toll Road toward Leesburg. Many Herndon families make this a standing appointment mid-pregnancy.
Between 26 and 32 weeks gives you the best combination of developed facial features and active baby movement. If your main goal is the sharpest possible facial detail, 28 to 32 weeks is ideal. Families who come at 34 to 36 weeks still get excellent results — baby's features are fully formed by then.
Yes, and many Herndon families bring their toddlers and older kids. Watching the big sibling react to seeing the baby for the first time is one of those things that surprises parents — often more emotional than they expected. The studio accommodates families comfortably.
Yes. Elective ultrasound uses the same technology as clinical prenatal imaging, operated by a trained sonographer within established safety parameters. The AIUM has found no confirmed adverse effects from diagnostic ultrasound at standard exposure levels over more than 50 years of obstetric use.
4D gives you real-time three-dimensional video of your baby's movement. HD ultrasound enhances the rendering — adding texture, lighting, and sharpness to make features look more lifelike and detailed. The difference is most noticeable on facial close-ups. Both are available at Baby Realz.
Baby Realz's sonographer Amy Davidson uses positioning techniques, gentle prompts, and timing adjustments to encourage baby to face the camera. A sugary drink, a short walk, a shift in maternal position — most sessions recover from an uncooperative start. Rescan options exist if needed.
Yes. SneakPeek DNA gender testing is available at 6+ weeks. Ultrasound gender determination is available at 14+ weeks. Many Herndon families use one service early and the other later in pregnancy.
Yes. Heartbeat animals — stuffed keepsakes containing a recording of your baby's heartbeat — can be added to any session at Baby Realz. Available from 10 weeks onward. Many families add them during their main 3D/4D visit and take both types of keepsakes home the same day.
No. Elective keepsake ultrasound sessions are not clinical procedures and are not covered by insurance. Baby Realz offers a range of packages at different price points to fit various budgets. Review the packages page or contact the studio for current pricing.
No. A keepsake ultrasound at Baby Realz is a bonding experience, not a diagnostic scan. It does not replace clinical prenatal care, anatomy scans, or any OB-recommended imaging. Always continue following your provider's prenatal care schedule.
A 20-minute drive from Herndon. An experience you'll talk about for years. Book your session or reach out with questions before you arrive.
Book Your SessionCall us: (571) 571-4446
Elective ultrasound sessions at Baby Realz are designed for bonding and keepsake purposes. They are not intended to replace prenatal medical care, clinical ultrasound screening, or diagnosis of any kind. Always follow the guidance of your OB, midwife, or healthcare provider throughout your pregnancy.
