Aug 5, 2015 | By Simon
Between the ability to create a replica of an infant’s heart in order to better understand and assess a condition before a surgical procedure, to the ability to recreate a hip that has deteriorated due to bone disease, it’s clear that within the past few years, 3D printing has helped surgeons in ways that have never before been possible. Now, a company from the UK wants to use a similar 3D scanning and printing process to allow expectant mothers and fathers the opportunity to hold their baby - before it’s even born.
The Lancashire-based company, Baby:Boo, claims to have developed the idea of creating a physical keepsake using a special scanning technique while a baby is still in the womb. Similar to other medical related 3D printing applications, scans are cleaned up and optimized using a digital 3D modeling program before they are 3D printed.
"We are a professional 3D and 4D baby scanning clinic based in Lancashire, offering all future parents a non diagnostic ultrasound scan to provide you with an unforgettable bonding experience between you and your unborn baby," explains the company. "Our staff are fully trained 3D/4D ultrasound technicians, using the latest 3D and 4D baby scanning technology and are backed by a highly experienced team of consultants, midwives, radiographers and advisors."
The resulting models completed by the staff - which can be done in color - are able to be customized to be picked up and held or mounted in a frame or display box. To date, the service has been popular for expectant parents who are willing to pay £150 for the service.
"People do think it's a little odd but it's similar to creating casts of baby's feet or hands. It's actually a really lovely keepsake to cherish," says 32-year-old Katie Kermode, owner of Baby:Boo in an interview with the Mirror. Kermode was inspired to create the company after having two miscarriages. Today, she is married with two children aged two and three.
"After I lost two pregnancies I underwent fertility treatment and finally fell on pregnant with Alfie,” she explains.
"But there was no way I could wait for 12 weeks to see everything was okay. I also has scans throughout, I think being pregnant is a scary time, especially if you have struggled to get pregnant. It's nice to sit back and enjoy your pregnancy and take some of the stress off. I found it to be quite addictive.”
Among other customers who have been satisfied with the Baby:Boo experience include Layla Macmillan, who approached the company soon after she became pregnant for the fourth time.
"Being a photographer, I love things like that and thought it was an amazing idea,” says Macmillan.
"Having images and a DVD of your baby is one thing, but having a real model to hold is so unique. It is so special to be able to hold a caste of your baby's face before it is even born.”
Among other highlights that the 3D printed model provided for Macmillan include the ability to have it made during the 29-31 week ‘bonding’ scan - a scan taken during a time when facial features and other details start to reveal themselves.
"I have got photographs of Autumn when she was seven hours old and she looks exactly the same as in her bonding scan," added Macmillan.
Of course, having a 3D printed scan of an unborn baby isn’t for everybody, but it appears that Katie has found her niche for expectant parents in the UK. Additionally, a combination of other scanning services ensures that even if a pair of expectant parents don’t necessarily want a 3D print, the company can still offer imaging services.
"We want to ensure the experience remains extra special and give our customers a unique keepsake that they can’t get anywhere else," she adds.
"The 3D figurines are a really unique way to share the excitement of your new baby with family and friends - there will be no need to look at scan pictures anymore, they can almost see the real thing."
For those interested in finding out more about the £150 figures, you can head over to the Baby:Boo website.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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As always: 'Avoid Fetal "Keepsake" Images, Heartbeat Monitors' http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm095508.htm Just don't do this to your baby...
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