How to Print, Copy and Store Your Ultrasound Pictures

Excited about your pregnancy ultrasounds? Often, getting a sneak-peak at your baby is one of the most exciting parts of the pregnancy journey. Typically, the ultrasound technician will give you a print out of some of the images, but they can be easily lost or you may want copies for friends and family.

This guide will walk you through how to store, view, copy and print your ultrasound pictures. PocketHealth is one of the simplest ways to do this. This online platform lets you securely access all of your imaging records as soon as they’re uploaded, including pregnancy ultrasounds. Continue reading to explore the best ways to manage and keep these precious images.

 

 

When and how do you get your baby’s ultrasound pictures?

When you receive your ultrasound pictures largely depends on the imaging facility. Many expectant parents are given a few images during their ultrasound appointment to take home. For additional pictures and digital copies, there can be considerable variation. Some facilities provide a CD or flash drive, while others may offer online access through a patient portal. The time frame can range from a few days to as long as a month. Additionally, it’s common for there to be a fee for this service. You’ll also likely have to sign a records release, for medical record privacy laws.

PocketHealth allows patients to view their ultrasound images much faster, providing notifications as soon as they are officially uploaded. This gives you This gives you digital access to diagnostic quality images and reports anytime you want, making it easy to share with family and friends who want to see your baby—without the hassle of managing a CD or flash drive that could get misplaced.

 

How to view and print your ultrasound images

There are a few methods for printing ultrasound pictures, depending on how your images are stored. We’ll cover the most common techniques.

What size are ultrasound pictures?

A physical ultrasound picture, such as the one you may receive during your appointment, is typically 4 x 3 inches. If you’re wondering how many ultrasound pictures you get, it varies but is commonly around three.

Digital copies can differ depending on things like image resolution and file format. The actual ultrasound dimensions will be similar to a physical copy, but how much space it takes up on your computer and the quality and depth depend on pixel dimensions and other technical factors.

How to view and print ultrasound images from disc

Printing ultrasound pictures from a disc is not nearly as easy as it used to be. Most modern computers no longer have disc drives, so you would need to purchase and use an external disc drive. From there you can access the images and print copies.

Flash drives can also be used to store ultrasound images for printing, but keep in mind that home printers won’t match the quality of professionally printed images. Ultrasounds are typically printed on thermal paper, which delivers the high contrast and resolution needed for medical scans. While some specialized medical imaging services can provide higher-quality prints, they can be difficult to locate and often come with additional fees. For a more accessible option, consider using high-quality photo paper for clearer prints at home or via a standard photo printing service.

Given that discs and USB drives are susceptible to damage or loss, a more reliable way to store ultrasound pictures is by digitizing them. This ensures all your images are securely stored in one place and easily accessible on modern computers, tablets, smartphones, and other devices. PocketHealth is an excellent option for this, offering a secure, versatile platform for accessing your prenatal scans digitally and sharing them effortlessly with family and friends.

How to view, share and print ultrasound images using PocketHealth

PocketHealth is a secureonline platform that stores all of your medical imaging and reports, such as prenatal ultrasounds. With PocketHealth, you can easily access and view your records anytime, as well as share and store prenatal scans for personal use. The Share My Records feature allows you to securely send these images to family and friends or download them to a flash drive or burn them to a disc for offline storage. From there, you can conveniently print your ultrasounds at home or through a photo development service. This indefinite access is important, as many imaging facilities that offer online prenatal ultrasounds retain them for only up to thirty days.

 

 

How to make copies of your ultrasound images

There are several ways to make copies of ultrasound pictures, but there are important considerations to keep in mind. If you have an original ultrasound printout from your healthcare provider that you want to preserve, it’s best to scan it with a high-quality scanner as soon as possible. Avoid using a standard copy machine with your original prints, as it can damage them—always use a scanner.

Official ultrasound prints are susceptible to fading, light damage, and heat sensitivity; even leaving them in a hot car or frequently handling them with your fingers can accelerate deterioration. Scanning your prints minimizes the risk of damage from handling such a delicate keepsake. Alternatively, many patients opt to photograph their ultrasound images with their phone to create a digital copy. While this is a convenient option if you lack scanning equipment, the quality may not be as high as a proper scan.

PocketHealth removes the hassle of scanning or making copies of your ultrasounds by offering secure digital access to the originals. This means you don’t have to worry about damaging the physical prints while trying to preserve them, and you have the flexibility to print as many copies as needed. Additionally, having digital versions allows you to easily share your ultrasound images with family and friends, so they can keep their own digital copies without needing to print them.

 

How to preserve your ultrasound images

Wondering how to keep ultrasound pictures from fading? Original ultrasound prints are fragile and they fade and damage easily due to the thermal paper they are printed on. Here are some methods on how to preserve ultrasound pictures:

• Avoid light exposure: Direct light exposure makes the images fade more quickly. Try to keep them out of the sun or other brightly lit areas.
• Avoid heat: Heat reacts poorly with the thermal paper the ultrasounds are printed on, causing severe damage. Keep them away from heat sources, including traditional lamination processes. Many patients have tried to preserve their images this way only to find they have degraded them.
• Avoid skin contact: Touching the original prints directly with your fingertips can transfer oils that deteriorate them faster.
• Don’t put anything on top of them: Keeping the images clear of direct contact with other items helps them last longer. This includes other pictures. If you’re using a photo album, ensure the page opposite the ultrasound is blank to prevent pressing. A regular piece of paper between the print and the photo page also helps preserve it.
• If you frame it, use UV-protective glass: Frames physically protect the original prints, but expose them to light. You can minimize this with UV-protected picture frames.
• Store them in a cool, dark place: Photo boxes or other protective containers that keep out light can help these prints last longer. Just remember to avoid putting anything on top of the prints other than a piece of regular or tissue paper.
• Use heatless lamination: This is vital. Don’t use traditional laminate techniques as they will ruin your prints. Heatless self-laminating pages should be safe, just be careful to avoid air bubbles, wrinkles and other application issues.
• Use acid free photo albums: If you choose to protect your prints using a photo album, be sure to select a product that is free of lignin, PVC and acid. These chemicals and plastics can damage your prints.
• Scan the prints: Scanning the originals is one of the best ways to preserve them. This way, if something happens and the prints degrade, you will still have a digitized copy. Remember to scan only; do not photocopy, as it will damage the prints.
• Get lifetime digital access with PocketHealth: Using PocketHealth safely stores the officially uploaded ultrasounds to your account, giving you digital access forever. This lets you copy, email and print them as many times as you like. Because they were officially produced by the imaging facility, the scans will be higher quality as well.

 

 

Feel confident and stay informed throughout your pregnancy journey with PocketHealth

PocketHealth helps you keep track of all your imaging reports, including your pregnancy ultrasounds. They are safely stored indefinitely, so you can always reference or share them with your medical providers, whether that’s your obstetrician or other specialists in the future.

Report Reader simplifies the medical terms in your report, while MyCare Navigator generates customized questions to guide your follow-up discussion with your doctor. Together, these features empower you to make informed decisions about your care, keeping you proactive in managing your health.