3D / 4D Keepsake Ultrasound in Metro Vancouver: What It Is, What It Isn't

What this guide covers

3D/4D ultrasound — sometimes marketed as “keepsake ultrasound,” “fetal photography,” or “elective sonogram” — is a commercial service that produces three-dimensional or four-dimensional moving images of a fetus for parents to keep as a memento. In Metro Vancouver, services start around $59 and run to $325 for premium packages.

This guide explains:

The clear regulatory distinction between keepsake and medical ultrasound
What Health Canada has actually said about non-medical fetal imaging
What a 3D/4D session can and cannot tell you
The Metro Vancouver keepsake clinic landscape (who they are, what they charge)
How to choose safely if you decide to book one

Editorial note: this is not medical advice. We explain how Canada regulates and how clinics describe keepsake ultrasound, so you can make an informed decision.

The bottom line up front

Keepsake 3D/4D ultrasound is not a medical service. It is not diagnostic. It is not regulated as healthcare. It does not replace and should not delay any prenatal ultrasound your obstetrician or midwife has ordered. In BC, it is never covered by MSP. Health Canada has issued specific guidance discouraging non-medical use of ultrasound on the developing fetus [1].

If you choose to have one — and many parents do, for entirely legitimate non-medical reasons — that’s your call. But know what you’re paying for and what you’re not.

Health Canada’s position

Canada’s federal regulator of medical devices, Health Canada, has published explicit guidance on diagnostic ultrasound that includes a clear position on non-medical use:

“Health Canada strongly discourages the non-medical use of ultrasound and the use of fetal heart rate monitors for keepsake purposes. The use of these devices outside of a medically indicated context exposes the fetus to ultrasound energy without medical benefit.” [1]

The guidance does not ban keepsake ultrasound. Canada has not made the practice illegal. But the federal regulator’s official stance is that it is not recommended. Several other countries — France, Spain, and several US states — have moved toward more restrictive regulation.

The clinical rationale is the precautionary principle: while diagnostic ultrasound is widely considered safe when used for clear medical indications, sustained or repeated exposure for entertainment purposes is “not medically indicated” and offers no clinical benefit to balance the (small) potential risk. The FDA in the United States has issued a similar advisory.

What a 3D/4D session can and cannot do

Can do

Produce three-dimensional images and 4D (moving image) clips of the fetus, typically between 26 and 34 weeks of pregnancy when fetal features are best developed
Detect biological sex with high accuracy after 18-20 weeks (gender reveal packages)
Hear and record the fetal heartbeat
Provide a session length the parents control (vs. the strictly clinical scope of an obstetric scan)
Allow family members to attend and view the images live (most MSP-billed clinical scans don’t permit this)

Cannot do (despite occasional marketing claims)

Diagnose or rule out fetal abnormalities. Sonographers performing keepsake work are not interpreting the images for clinical conclusions; even if something appears unusual, they cannot diagnose, refer, or counsel.
Replace any clinically-indicated ultrasound your physician or midwife has ordered (typically the 12-week dating scan, the 20-week anatomy scan, and any growth or position scans).
Detect early-pregnancy issues. Keepsake scans are not designed for early pregnancy assessment.
Provide medical records for any clinical purpose. Images and recordings are for personal use only.

The Metro Vancouver keepsake clinic landscape

Based on our directory of 11 non-DAP-accredited keepsake operators in Metro Vancouver, the landscape divides roughly into:

Chain operators

UC Baby (Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, plus partner sites) — the dominant chain in BC. Standard package tiers: Bronze $145 / Silver $199 / Golden $325. Additional specialty packages from $85 for fetal heartbeat to $185 for early-reveal blood test. Service is consistent across locations.
Hi Baby 3D/4D/5D Ultrasound (Richmond) — smaller operator, similar service profile

Independent operators

Discovery 3D Ultrasound (Surrey) — 5 published packages, $50-$95 range, twins surcharge
3D Mom and Baby Ultrasound (Surrey) — 8 published packages, $68-$195 range
WEE PEEK IMAGING (Vancouver / mobile, may overlap with similar names elsewhere)
3D Sono Image (Vancouver, E. Hastings)
Belly Bean Imaging (mobile service)
My 3D Ultrasound (Vancouver, Victoria Dr.)
Som Visao 3D Ultrasound (Vancouver, Granville)
3D Mom and Baby Ultrasound (Surrey)

Hybrid: DAP-accredited clinics that also offer keepsake

A small number of DAP-accredited clinics in our Class B database (BreastCare Imaging, Lifespan Medical Services, Fast Track Ultrasound, etc.) offer 3D/4D as one of multiple services. These are clinical facilities that also accept keepsake bookings on a private-pay basis. The sonographers are typically RDMS-credentialed, but the keepsake service itself remains non-medical regardless.

How keepsake clinics are regulated (and aren’t)

Keepsake ultrasound clinics in BC are not regulated by:

Diagnostic Accreditation Program (DAP) of BC — only clinical diagnostic facilities are
College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC — only clinical practice is regulated
Medical Services Commission — not in any way; MSP does not interact with keepsake operators

They are regulated by:

Consumer Protection BC, for general business practices
WorkSafeBC for workplace safety
Federal Health Canada radiation-emitting devices regulations for the ultrasound equipment itself (units must be sold by licensed Canadian distributors)

Sonographers performing keepsake work may or may not hold a clinical sonography credential (RDMS via ARDMS, CRGS via Sonography Canada). Some keepsake clinics employ credentialed sonographers; some do not. Sonography Canada specifically addresses this in its position statement, recognizing that credentialed sonographers may work in non-medical settings but noting the work is outside the clinical scope of their certification [2].

How to choose a keepsake clinic safely

If you decide to book a 3D/4D session, the following questions help you choose one that operates responsibly:

Is the equipment a Health Canada-licensed diagnostic ultrasound unit? Reputable operators should be able to confirm. Discount or unlicensed equipment is a real risk.
Is the sonographer credentialed (RDMS or CRGS)? Not required for keepsake work, but a credentialed sonographer is more likely to understand and respect the boundary between commemorative and clinical use.
Will they “diagnose” or “screen” anything if they see something unusual? A responsible keepsake clinic will not diagnose. They should be willing to tell you “we noticed [thing] and you may want to discuss with your physician” without overstepping.
What’s the gestational age recommendation? Best 3D/4D images come from 26-34 weeks. Very early scans (before 14 weeks) cannot produce useful 3D images and reputable operators won’t promise them.
How long is the session? Sustained ultrasound exposure (30-minute Silver Package, 60-minute Golden Package) accumulates more energy than a clinical scan. Health Canada’s guidance is not session-length-specific but the precautionary principle suggests minimizing duration.
Will they perform the scan if your obstetrician has not yet completed your 20-week anatomy scan? A responsible clinic should defer until clinical screening is complete. Some don’t ask.

Frequently asked questions

Is 3D/4D keepsake ultrasound dangerous?

The honest answer: there is no high-quality evidence of harm from properly performed diagnostic ultrasound at exposure levels comparable to a clinical scan. There is also no evidence of benefit beyond the parents’ enjoyment. Health Canada’s “strongly discourages” language reflects the precautionary principle — non-medical exposure to ultrasound energy without medical benefit is not recommended, even if the absolute risk appears low.

Why isn’t it MSP-covered?

MSP covers procedures listed in Section 40 of the MSC Payment Schedule. 3D/4D keepsake imaging, gender reveal scans, and “elective” pregnancy ultrasound for parent enjoyment are not on this list and never have been. MSP pays for clinical diagnosis, not entertainment.

My friend got pregnancy news from a keepsake scan. Does this mean keepsake clinics are doing diagnostics?

Anecdotal experiences vary, but a responsible keepsake operator does not diagnose. If a sonographer notices something they think the patient should discuss with their physician, they may say “we’d suggest mentioning this to your doctor” — but they should not provide a diagnostic opinion or replace clinical screening.

Can a keepsake clinic do my 20-week anatomy scan?

No. The 20-week anatomy scan is a clinically-indicated diagnostic exam ordered by your obstetrician or midwife and performed at a DAP-accredited facility (most often a public hospital or Class A private clinic with MSP billing). A keepsake clinic is not credentialed for this and your prenatal care provider will not accept their report.

Why do some keepsake clinics have RDMS-credentialed sonographers?

Because credentialed sonographers may take work outside the clinical setting. Some keepsake clinics actively employ credentialed staff to differentiate on quality, technical capability, and reputational signal — even though credentialing is not required for non-medical imaging. UC Baby, Hi Baby, and several independent operators publicize their staff credentialing.

Is gender reveal accurate? When should I do it?

Modern keepsake clinics report gender determination accuracy of 95-98% after 18-20 weeks gestation. Earlier than 18 weeks the accuracy drops significantly. The gender reveal sealed-envelope format (the clinic writes the gender on a paper, you don’t open it until the reveal event) is offered by most operators including Discovery 3D ($80), 3D Mom and Baby ($125), and UC Baby ($125 Gender Reveal package).

How much do these typically cost?

Range from $50 (basic 2D heartbeat session) to $325 (premium 60-minute 3D/4D session). The Metro Vancouver typical mid-tier 3D/4D session runs $145-$199. Most clinics publish packages on their websites.

Do they accept extended health insurance?

Almost never. Extended health benefits cover medically-indicated services. Keepsake imaging is explicitly non-medical and explicitly excluded from coverage by most carriers.

Use the Coverage Checker and select “3D / 4D / Gender reveal (keepsake)” as your service to see all 11 keepsake operators in Metro Vancouver, with their published packages.

Sources

Health Canada — Diagnostic Ultrasound (Radiation-Emitting Devices) — Federal guidance on non-medical use of ultrasound. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-risks-safety/radiation/use-radiation-emitting-devices/ultrasound.html
Sonography Canada — Position statements on non-medical ultrasound use. https://sonographycanada.ca/
US FDA — Fetal Keepsake Videos consumer advisory (referenced for comparable position). https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/avoid-fetal-keepsake-images-heartbeat-monitors

Last reviewed: 2026-06-16 by Roger Liu, SEO Editorial Director, Vancouver Ultrasound Finder. Health Canada guidance is updated periodically — verify the current advisory against the official source before deciding.

This is editorial content, not medical advice. For decisions during your pregnancy, consult your obstetrician, midwife, or other licensed prenatal care provider.