麻豆传媒映画

A clinic in central France is now offering a new kind of 3D baby scan that will allow blind or partially-sighted parents-to-be to feel an impression of their unborn child.

The method, called an 鈥�茅chographie haptique鈥� or 鈥�茅chographie Braille鈥� (Braille ultrasound), was developed in 2020 by sonographer Jean-Marc Levaillant and facial bone surgeon Dr Romain Nicot, who is based at the Faculty of Medicine at the Universit茅 de Lille.

It is now being offered by pregnancy and gynaecology specialists Fay莽al Khizar and Anthony Weber, at the Espace Sant茅 Ysalis in Ch芒teauroux (Indre, Centre-Val de Loire).

The option has been available since January this year (2024), starting from the second or third trimester of the pregnancy.

3D printing

鈥淭he system creates a 3D-printed reconstruction of the foetus, so that visually impaired or blind people can perceive the different features of the face, hand or foot,鈥� said Dr Weber to .

The parents-to-be can then hold a 3D-printed model of their unborn baby, and 鈥渇eel the movements, contours, and their baby鈥檚 characteristics鈥�. Previously, partially-sighted or blind parents could only rely on the technician or doctor鈥檚 descriptions of photos or videos.

Writing on Facebook - with an image of part of the 3D printed 鈥榖aby scans鈥� - Dr Weber said that the 3D printing method helps parents-to-be to experience pregnancy in a 鈥渕ore memorable and inclusive鈥� way, and 鈥渟trengthens their connection with their baby鈥�.

So far, the method is only available to parents who are partially-sighted or blind.

Read also

Checklist: 7 things new parents must do after giving birth in France
Research in France shows having a baby does change your brain
First child heart operation in France using 3D scans