We had Squidgy's 4D scan in 2013, Pickle’s 4D scan in 2016 and Munchkin's 4D scan in 2019. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine less than a year after our 3rd rainbow arrived, we'd have a golden baby on the way. Yet here we are, in the middle of a pandemic, expecting baby #4.

In spite of Covid restrictions, lockdowns and other government rulings, we were still able to have a 4D scan for Peanut, and whilst things were a little different this time, it was lovely to be back at Baby I Love You in Carlisle for it.

Peanut's 4D scan - Baby I Love You, Carlisle

When did we have it?

I was 25 weeks pregnant with Peanut when we went for her 4D scan.

Where did we have it?

You may remember that we discovered Baby I Love You in Carlisle after we moved to Cumbria just under 2 years ago. Usually, they offer a variety of different scan packages from early scans to 4D scans, although due to the current climate there are a reduced number of options available. Thankfully one still includes 4D scanning.

Which package did we choose?

We went for the option80 3D / 4D Bonding Scan; which was a 15 minute appointment. At £80 it was slightly cheaper than the other packages we've had, and I think it was well worth the money. It included:

See your baby’s heartbeat
Fetal well-being check
2D B/W ultrasound prints
2 Colour 3D Photos (6x4)
Digital images sent to your phone
Gender confirmation
Baby I Love You bag
Labour Information Pack from Emma's Diary

You also have the option to add on extras, from additional photo prints to heartbeat bears.

What was the studio like during Covid restrictions?

Baby I Love You is just outside of the city in Carlisle, and is amazing. If you read my post about being at the scan clinic for Munchkin's 4D scan you will have seen how clean, spacious and well set out it was. Obviously thanks to the pandemic, things are a little different now.

Staff wore PPE.
I could only bring one guest from my own household. Obviously I chose John.
They did allow Munchkin to attend, but he had to be strapped into his pushchair at all times.
We had to wear a face covering at all times - they told us they reserved the right to refuse us entry to our appointment if we attended without one.
We were required to sanitise our hands when we arrived.
There was no longer a shared waiting area, and we were asked to arrive as close to our appointment as possible to avoid coming into contact with other people.

The scan

The scan went amazingly well, and unlike her older siblings at their 4D scans, Peanut was on her best behaviour. Munchkin loved it too, totally enamoured by the experience. Wide-eyed, open-mouthed, pointing and chatting to the baby he could see on the screen moving around.

We got so many fabulous photos, and the sonographer kept cooing about how beautiful our daughter is; and how wonderful and clear the photos she could capture were. I’m so glad the package included all the photos from the appointment because I couldn’t have chosen any favourites with so many amazing ones taken.

I'm so glad I finally got some work (honestly, Covid has a lot to answer for!) enabling us to save up and book this scan for Peanut. Even if the photos aren’t the best, it was so lovely to see her; and catch all those little moments as we watched.

Of course this time I missed being able to share it all with the girls; but I was obviously delighted to have a very excited daddy by my side.

For more blog posts about pregnancy, check out the category here. Did you have a 4D scan, or would you consider it now? Let me know in the comments below.