Free 3-D ultrasounds offer rewarding experience to students, community

Tidewater Community College’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program is once again offering ultrasounds to expectant mothers and their families. There is no charge for this service.

The program began offering obstetrics scanning to the community almost two decades ago and is back after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students and the communities we serve,” said Indu Sharma, director of TCC’s DMS program. “Obstetrics scanning is one of the most difficult exams for our students to learn because of the limited opportunities available at most hospital sites.”

The exams are completed in the Health Professions building on the Virginia Beach Campus. Sonography students work alongside a credentialed sonographer and check fetal anatomy and measurements. The scan is for educational purposes only and is not interpreted by a physician or guaranteed to detect abnormalities. If something of concern is noted, participants will be referred back to their obstetricians.

Interested moms-to-be can schedule a free 3-D/4-D ultrasound appointment by calling 757-822-7257. Three schedules are released through the year, one for the spring, summer, and fall semesters, respectively. Appointments are limited. Donations to the program are appreciated but not required. Moms should bring a CD-R or DVD-R so they can keep their ultrasound images.

Moms have to be between 28-32 weeks along and cannot be high risk or carrying twins.

For more information, contact Sharma at isharma@tcc.edu.