What's the deal with elective ultrasound places?

I have never had an ultrasound with one of those elective places- I think they became popular in 2005 when I was PG with my 3rd son??? What kind of price ranges are normal, and how soon can they accurately determine gender?

i went with both zach and courtney.  i paid for the cheapy package just to find out what courtney was (that was about 75, i think?) and then when she was 28 weeks i paid 200 and got face shots.  it was cool.  and YES they can tell you with great accuracy in my opinion!!!

I did the same as nissy, paid around $75 to determine gender at 16 weeks, and for a couple of pictures (That is the earliest that they would do it where I went). I paid $225 at 35 weeks for face shots and a DVD.

Do this kind of US places have qualified/certified technicians? Is that places are qualified for doing U/S to know when we ovalute, do anyone have any Idea

Roopa:

Do this kind of US places have qualified/certified technicians? Is that places are qualified or doing US to know when we ovalute, do anyone have any Idea

They are qualified, but can only determine gender. These types of u/s are not for detecting abnormalities or determining ovulation prior to pregnancy. They are strictly for fun, to be able to see your baby and get pictures as a memento.

Ok, so I checked out a local place online ( the only place I know of around here) and they don't want to check gender until 19 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's 3d, 4d I believe. Why don't they feel confident until 19 weeks? My doc does hers at 20, and that's just with a regular 2d........I would think that if this place wants to make money, they would do it sooner.......and what is up with the people who find out ( vaginally) at 12 weeks? I have a friend who found out at 12 weeks through her RE........It frustrates me so much! I had a unplanned 13 week sonogram with #4, and there was no way we could have seen gender. His lower half was all fuzzy........But I bet she could have guessed if she had done it vaginally.....

2D is actually more accurate for determining gender than 3D is. Weird, but that's what they told me when I had mine done. Some places can switch between the two.

Most places won't say anything before 20 weeks.  Where I live they won't tell you before 25 weeks.  I traveled to another state to have mine done at 16 weeks.  You just have to look around. 

Good luck

I paid $89 but she gave me a bit of a discount since I drove 3 hours to get there. You need to ask, though, because they are not all certified techs.....there were two different places I checked into and only one (the more expensive one) had a licensed technician doing the u/s. It may depend on state regulations.....?

I went in at 19 weeks. They recommend 26 or more so you can get a good face shot when the baby has got some fat on him/her, but I think a lot of places will do gender with high accuracy at about 18.

I GOOGLED 3D U/S AND FOUND FETAL PHOTOS.  THEY CAN TELL YOU THE CLOSEST ONE.  I ALSO GOT $10.00 OFF CUZ I MENTIONED THEIR NAME.  IT IS WORTH A SHOT! (MINE WAS AT 16 WEEKS!)

ALLIGUS-  YOUR AVATAR IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PICTURES!!!  HE DOES GREAT WORK HUH?  LOVE IT!!