UK Charity 3D Prints Ultrasounds for Blind Parents-to-Be

A 20-Week Scan You Can Hold

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association launched a pilot program called First Hello. The goal: give visually impaired expectant parents a 3D printed model of their 20-week ultrasound scan.

A survey of 2,000 UK adults with visual impairment found 54 percent think standard pregnancy scans should be more inclusive. Eight in ten said all parents should be able to experience milestones like the first sonogram. Nearly two-thirds said family members with vision loss would feel more included if they could physically feel the scan.

That is where 3D printing comes in. The service takes a standard 2D ultrasound image, converts it into a 3D render, prints it, and ships it to the parents. The whole process takes about a week. The pilot is limited to 50 prints initially, but Guide Dogs hopes to expand if demand is there.

Reece Finnegan-Knight, an expectant father with a visual impairment, described holding the tactile scan for the first time. He said the experience gave him back a moment he thought he would miss.

The initiative is operated by Hope and Glory. Upload a JPG or PNG of your scan, file size under 10MB, and the model is produced and shipped. The service is completely free.