The 3D images are brought to life using Oculus Rift headsets which also play the sound of the baby’s heartbeat. Parents are able to look around their unborn child in virtual reality by moving their head.
MRI scanning is usually only used by doctors when an ultrasound fails to provide images of sufficiently high quality to check the development of the baby. But this is the first time the two techniques have been combined.
Seeing a baby in the womb for the first time on an ultrasound is a magical moment for most parents.
But a groundbreaking new scanning technology is allowing mothers and fathers to meet their unborn children in three dimensional virtual reality for the very first time.
The technique works by merging ultrasound imagery with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which scans segments of the womb and foetus to build a 3D model which can be brought to life by using a virtual reality headset.
The researchers say it will also help parents to understand malformations and make earlier treatment decisions.
The researchers say it will also help parents to understand malformations and make earlier treatment decisions.
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