I remember when I was pregnant – the most amazing part, besides the birth of my daughter, was seeing her move around on ultrasounds.
To be able to watch your unborn child move, exist, all before being born, is amazing. But we forget that not everyone can. Some, like one pregnant Nebraska mom, have a visual impairment that makes it hard for them to see their child.
But because of evolving technology, all of that made the impossible possible for Ashton Johnson.
Johnson had previously needed her husband, Logan, and the doctor’s help. “They’re like ‘ope, his hands are in front of his face again.’ I was like, what’s he doing now? And Logan’s like ‘ope, he’s going to sleep,’” she told KETV.
Thanks to new technology, Ashton Johnson, who is blind, was able to ‘see’ her baby through the use of 3D printing for her ultrasound. Her husband, Logan, had been her eyes prior to this. Photo by KETV
But then her doctor, Dr. Katie Skepe, and Dr. John Coté, at CHI Bergen Mercy Clinic in Omaha, came up with the unusual idea of creating a 3D image of Johnson’s ultrasound.
The thought came like it would be really nice to get her something tangible to hold on to, to feel the contours of the baby’s face and to really get an understanding of what the baby looks like,” Dr. Skepe said.
Dr. Coté, an assistant professor at Creighton University, said that his research into 3D-printed ultrasounds was a “game-changer.”
“We’re actually one of the first institutions to be able to do stuff like this,” he said. “3D printing has been around for some time but when we’re applying it to more common scenarios like everyday pregnant patients.”
Science has shown, Dr. Cote said, that the 3D printed ultrasounds benefit the mother and her unborn child, by raising the oxytocin levels, as well as increasing the bond between the mom and infant.
A 3D ultrasound was used to allow blind mother-to-be, Ashton Johnson, to ‘see’ her unborn son. Photo by KETV
When the 3D molds were given to Johnson, KETV video showed the mom gently tracing her fingers around the features of her baby’s face.
“This is so cool,” she said. “Like I have not been able to like see his ultrasounds like at all so like this is so cool. I can (feel) his little lips and his little nose. That is so cute. And his little eyes. Oh my gosh.”
Suddenly the ability to see her child like any other expectant mom could made the mom tear up.
I never thought I’d get to see what my baby looks like in a way-feel what he looks like,” she said. “I can’t wait to see what he looks like in person.”
Through tears, Johnson had nothing but gratitude for her doctors.
“Thank you so much guys. This really means so much to me. Thank you,” she said. “I definitely wouldn’t have this opportunity without you guys. So thank you guys.”
“Whose nose does it have?” Sekpe asked.
With laughter, Johnson answered, “Mine.”
