French company develops 3D baby scans for blind parents-to-be

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 ‘échographie haptique’ or ‘échographie Braille’ (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 Université de Lille.

It is now being offered by pregnancy and gynaecology specialists Fayçal Khizar and Anthony Weber, at the Espace Santé Ysalis in Châteauroux (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

“The 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,” said Dr Weber to France Bleu Berry.

The parents-to-be can then hold a 3D-printed model of their unborn baby, and “feel the movements, contours, and their baby’s characteristics”. Previously, partially-sighted or blind parents could only rely on the technician or doctor’s descriptions of photos or videos.

Writing on Facebook - with an image of part of the 3D printed ‘baby scans’ - Dr Weber said that the 3D printing method helps parents-to-be to experience pregnancy in a “more memorable and inclusive” way, and “strengthens their connection with their baby”.

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

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