Blind Woman "Sees" Her Unborn Son With 3D Printing

Many of us already know that 3D printing is poised to be a revolutionary technology. Its potential applications seem nearly endless: 3D printers have already been used to create everything from gorgeous 3D printed jewelry, to 3D printed ice cream (yes, really!), to a life-saving 3D printed replica of a human heart. But while 3D printers are undeniably cool, you might be surprised to find yourself turned into a soggy, happy-crying mess because of one. In a moving new video from Huggies Brazil, a 3D printer gives a wonderful gift to one expectant mother: The short film shows a blind mom getting to “see” her unborn baby through a 3D-printed sculpture based on his ultrasound.

The expectant mom in the video is 30-year-old Tatiana Guerra. Twenty weeks pregnant, Guerra lost her sight at the age of 17. The video shows her eagerly wondering what her baby, Murilo, will feel and smell like. When she visits the doctor for an ultrasound, Guerra has to rely on him to describe the images, asking, “What does his face look like, doctor?” He describes Murilo’s nose and eyes and asks, “If you could touch him, would that let you know what he’s like?”

Amazingly, it only takes 15 minutes for the ultrasound to be made into a 3D sculpture of the tiny face and hands of a 5-month-old fetus:

Guerra seems elated by the sculpture, crying in happiness as her fingers trace over her son’s face and body.

The video, “Meeting Murilo,” is part of Huggies’ #CountingTheDays campaign, and ends with the slogan, “Every mom deserves to embrace each moment.” Get out your tissues and enjoy.

Images: YouTube (3)