Expecting mother Amanda Robbins recently saw her baby smile for the first time. What makes this special gesture even more of a miracle is that little Olivia Paige isn’t due to be born for weeks. But thanks to the new “Live 3-D” technology available at Western Baptist Hospital, miraculous moments like these are now possible.

Western Baptist recently added the new HDI®4000 ultrasound system from Philips Ultrasound that merges leading edge “Live 3-D” technology with its proven High Definition Imaging (HDI) platform to provide superb 3-D image quality, in real time.

“Live 3-D technology goes a step beyond traditional 3-D ultrasound, incorporating a fourth dimension of time,” said Betty Brown, Clinical Coordinator of Western Baptist Hospital’s Women’s Center.

“Through this exciting new technology, the baby’s three dimensional image is continuously updated, resulting in a “live action” view in which the unborn child can be seen moving inside the mother’s body.”

According to Brown, 3-D technology produces images that are clearer and crisper than its predecessor and, like traditional 3-D ultrasound, poses no risks to the patient or fetus. “A probe placed on the body emits sound waves into the body, listens for the return echo and generates an image,” explained Brown.

Brown says that in order to obtain the best image, the patient needs to be at least 28 weeks into her pregnancy. Images taken during the ultrasound are recorded onto a compact disc and given to the expecting mother as a keepsake.

Robbins says that’s one photo she can’t wait to share with her family and friends—even those across the country, through the use of e-mail. “Imagine the surprise of our family and friends when they receive Olivia’s first baby photo in their e-mail box before she’s ever born!” said Robbins. “That’s truly a miracle.”