If you’re expecting a baby in the Washington DC metro area — including Arlington, Alexandria, and Leesburg — chances are you’ve already heard about 3D, 4D, and HD elective ultrasounds. Once the excitement settles in, the very next question most parents ask is:
“When is the best time to book my 3D/4D/HD ultrasound so I get the best pictures?”
At Baby Realz in Leesburg, VA, we hear this every single day from DC-area families. The truth is, there isn’t just one perfect time — it depends on what you want to see and experience. Do you want tiny flutters and early movements? Clear gender determination? Or full, squishy cheeks in HD?
This complete guide breaks down the best weeks for 3D ultrasound, 4D ultrasound, and HD ultrasound so you can plan your visit from Washington DC, Arlington, Alexandria, or anywhere in Northern Virginia with confidence.
Before we talk timing, it helps to quickly understand each type of elective ultrasound offered at Baby Realz.
All three are safe, non-diagnostic, and designed for bonding and keepsake experiences. The best time for each depends on how developed your baby is and what kind of images you’re hoping to get.
If you’re newly pregnant and can’t wait to see your little one, the first trimester offers a magical “sneak peek” stage. Many parents drive from Washington DC and Arlington to our Leesburg studio just to witness that first little flicker of life.
At this stage, baby is still very small, but there is plenty to enjoy:
You won’t see full facial features yet, but you will feel an instant emotional connection. For many parents, this is the visit where everything starts to feel real.
The first trimester is ideal if you:
Many DC-area parents pair an early sneak peek with a later 3D/4D/HD ultrasound so they can see baby’s growth and changes over time.
The second trimester is one of the most popular times to visit Baby Realz, especially for families coming from Alexandria, Arlington, and Washington DC for gender determination and active baby videos.
Once you reach 14 weeks, we can typically determine your baby’s gender by ultrasound. This window is perfect for parents planning:
At this stage, baby is still small but very active. You’ll see full-body movements, kicks, and flips — making it a fun time for 4D ultrasound to watch your little one in motion.
If you’re specifically interested in gender, you can learn more about options (including SneakPeek DNA testing) on our dedicated page: Gender Determination at Baby Realz.
From around 20–24 weeks, many parents feel like they get the best of both worlds:
This is a great time for 3D, 4D, and even early HD ultrasound sessions. If you’re traveling in from Washington DC or Arlington, this mid-second-trimester window works well for combining your session with other errands or appointments in Northern Virginia.
As you move closer to 26 weeks, baby’s face starts to fill out. Cheeks become a little rounder, and while you may not have full “squish” yet, you’ll definitely notice a difference from earlier weeks.
For parents planning only one elective ultrasound during pregnancy, this late second trimester period is a fantastic choice, especially if you want both movement and emerging facial details.
Welcome to the most popular window for 3D, 4D, and HD ultrasound at Baby Realz! This is when babies start to look like the newborn you’ll soon be holding in your arms.
From 27 to 30 weeks, baby’s:
If you’re specifically excited about HD ultrasound, this is one of our favorite timeframes. HD adds beautiful lighting and depth, making your baby’s face look incredibly real — you’ll see tiny noses, lips, and maybe even a little smirk.
Parents regularly tell us their HD ultrasound at Baby Realz is the most memorable part of their pregnancy, especially when they bring family from Alexandria, Arlington, and DC to share the moment.
If you’re dreaming of those perfectly squishy cheeks, this is your window. Between 30 and 34 weeks, your baby has:
This is when many parents say, “They look exactly like their newborn photos!” It’s also when siblings and grandparents are most blown away by how real the images feel.
Yes, you can still get beautiful 3D/4D/HD ultrasound images later in the third trimester. However, keep in mind:
We still welcome families at this stage — especially those who found us later in their pregnancy from the Washington DC or Northern Virginia area — but if you want to maximize your chances of a full face in HD, we’ll always recommend 27–34 weeks as the sweet spot.
Because Baby Realz is located in Leesburg, VA, many of our guests make a short trip in from surrounding cities. We regularly see expecting parents from:
Weekends and evenings fill quickly, especially in that prime 27–34 week HD ultrasound window, so we recommend booking in advance — particularly if you’re coordinating schedules with family members or planning a surprise reveal.
Not sure which session is right for you? Baby Realz offers a variety of elective ultrasound packages designed for each stage of pregnancy. You can explore them anytime here:
View Ultrasound Packages at Baby Realz
Many DC-area parents love to combine:
This way, you get the joy of finding out “boy or girl” early on — and then come back later to see the face that goes with that name.
For most parents, the best time for 3D ultrasound is between 26 and 32 weeks. Your baby has more fat on their cheeks, and facial details are more defined, but there is still enough room to move and change positions.
We typically recommend scheduling your HD ultrasound between 27 and 34 weeks. That’s when the lighting, shadows, and detail work together to create those “wow” images most parents are hoping for.
You can still book! While baby may be a bit more tucked in, we often capture beautiful close-ups, sweet expressions, and cozy poses. If you’re driving from Washington DC, Arlington, or Alexandria, give us a call and we’ll help you choose the best time based on your exact week and other factors.
We can usually determine gender via ultrasound starting at 14 weeks. If you want to know even earlier, we also offer SneakPeek Clinical DNA testing starting at 6 weeks. Learn more on our Gender Determination page.
Absolutely! Many families book a first visit for early bonding or gender determination and then return in the third trimester for HD keepsake images. It’s a beautiful way to watch your baby grow and change.
Still feeling unsure? Here’s a quick way to decide:
No matter which you choose, our team at Baby Realz will guide you through the process and make sure your visit is relaxed, fun, and unforgettable.
Whether you’re coming from Leesburg, Washington DC, Arlington, Alexandria, or anywhere in Northern Virginia, we’re honored to be part of your pregnancy journey. Your baby’s first photos are memories you’ll treasure forever — and we’re here to make them as magical as possible.
Ready to book your 3D/4D/HD ultrasound?
You can schedule online in just a few clicks: Book Your Ultrasound at Baby Realz
Have questions first? We’re happy to help. Visit our Contact Page or call us at (571) 571-4446.
We can’t wait to welcome you — and introduce you to your little one on the big screen.
