Hug your baby before she is born

What if you could cuddle your baby even before she is born? With the help of 3D printing technology, now you can!

 According to a report in Khaleej Times, from on-screen 3D and 4D scans, your baby's image can now be brought to life thanks to the technology behind 3D printing.

 Baby: Boo Scan Studio is the only company offering such a specialised service.

 Though interest and bookings have peaked from UK clients since it started offering the service four months ago, Kermode told Khaleej Times on Tuesday it has also been providing the service to UK expatriates in Dubai. The service isn't offered to the public here yet.

 "We've been offering 3D castings for a few months now. I'd say interest has been 50-50 when it comes to UK-based clients but I've had several British couples travel from Dubai to get their hands on a casting." Katie Kermode, owner of Baby: Boo Scan Studio said.

 Capturing data from a 4D scan, Kermode then sends this information to her printers via computer. It then uses this data to immortalise the foetus into a cast.

 "The 3D printer uses a powder resin to make the cast," she said.

 Though scans can be performed before the 20-week mark, Kermode said the best outcome for the cast is when the baby is between 28-30 weeks.

 "The kind of casting you want depends of the gestation of the baby. At up to 20 weeks we can usually create a full body cast, but we recommend having it done at about 28 weeks as it captures the baby's chubby cheeks and unique features. At this stage only a face can be cast because of the size of the foetus."

 Though 3D foetus castings are not readily available anywhere as yet, could this be the new fad for expectant parents across the country and the world over?

 Speaking at Arab Health 2016 on Tuesday, Lee Kean Sang from Singapore-based Osteopore International, a leading medical device company, said the market for 3D printing in the UAE is "still young" but it is at the forefront of medical technology.

 "There has been so much interest in 3D printing in medicine here, I can really see it taking off. As for the 3D foetus printing, I'd expect it to become a trend here very soon."

 For Kermode, the jury is still out, but the future is certainly bright.

 And for expectant parents who can't wait to show family and friends what their baby will look like, you no longer have to. The process will cost Dh780-Dh830 depending on the type of framing.