Ultrasound can detect pregnancy as early as 5 weeks gestation with the presence of a gestational sac. An embryo may be seen as early as 6 weeks gestation and a fetal heartbeat should be seen once the embryo measures 7mm.

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when implantation occurs outside of the uterine lining. An ectopic pregnancy cannot safely grow into a term baby and can be a life-threatening emergency for the patient. An ectopic pregnancy cannot be relocated to the uterus and may be treated with medication or surgery depending on certain factors.

Ectopic pregnancies occur in about 1-2% of the general population.

Care Imaging provides printouts of pictures of your baby free of charge. They do not permit photography or videography in the ultrasound room. If you wish to obtain a video of your ultrasound, please inform your sonographer at the beginning of your exam so they can record one for you. The video will be transferred to a USB and will be available to pick up once your ultrasound has been reviewed by your doctor. There is a fee associated with all video recordings.

Sometimes an ultrasound is performed when it is too early to see an embryo or heartbeat. In such instances, your doctor will simply order another ultrasound to be done 1-2 weeks later to assess for growth of the pregnancy.

You may see the flickering of the baby’s heartbeat as early as 6 weeks on ultrasound but CARE Imaging does not use pulsed wave Doppler to listen to the baby’s heart beat until your 12 week ultrasound.

Yes.  Obstetric ultrasounds are covered by the Ontario provincial health insurance plan (OHIP).