Pregnancy Ultrasounds in Ajax: A Trimester-by-Trimester Guide

Ultrasound is one of the most familiar parts of pregnancy care. It uses sound waves rather than radiation to create real-time images, which is one reason it is so widely used to follow a pregnancy from early weeks to the final stretch. Yet for many expecting parents, especially first-timers, the sequence of scans can feel a little mysterious. Why this scan now? What is being looked at? Do I need a full bladder for this one?

This guide sets out, in general terms, the kinds of obstetrical ultrasounds people are commonly offered in each trimester and what they are generally for. It is written for patients in Ajax, Pickering, Whitby and the surrounding area who are booking or attending scans at Rossland Diagnostic Clinic.

One thing to keep in mind throughout: every pregnancy is different. The number and timing of scans you have will be decided by you and your doctor, midwife or other health-care provider, based on your own circumstances. Nothing here is a schedule to follow on your own. Think of it as a map that helps you understand the route your provider recommends.

How obstetrical ultrasound works, briefly

During an ultrasound, a sonographer moves a small handheld device called a transducer over the skin, with a water-based gel to help sound waves travel. The sound waves bounce off tissues and are turned into images on a screen. The process is generally painless, although pressing on a full bladder can be uncomfortable for a few minutes.

In early pregnancy, a transvaginal ultrasound is sometimes used, where a slim probe is placed gently in the vagina. It can give clearer pictures when the pregnancy is very small. You will always be told what is involved, and you can ask questions or raise concerns before anything begins.

Images from a diagnostic scan are reviewed and reported, and the results are sent to the health-care provider who ordered the exam. Your provider is the right person to explain what the results mean for you.

First trimester: weeks 1 to 13

The first trimester is a time of rapid change, and an early ultrasound may be part of your care during these weeks. Not everyone has one, and the reasons vary.

What an early scan may be used for

In general terms, a first-trimester ultrasound may help a health-care provider to:

• Confirm that a pregnancy is developing inside the uterus
• Estimate how far along the pregnancy is, which helps set an expected due date
• See whether there is one baby or more than one
• Check for a heartbeat, depending on how early the scan is done

Some people are also offered prenatal screening during this period, which may include an ultrasound measurement as one part of a wider assessment. Whether screening is right for you is a personal decision to discuss with your provider.

Preparing for a first-trimester scan

Preparation depends on the type of scan. Pelvic ultrasounds may require a full bladder, because a full bladder helps lift the bowel out of the way and acts as a window to the uterus. Your instructions will tell you exactly what to do and when. If a transvaginal scan is planned, you may be asked to empty your bladder first. Always follow the specific instructions you receive, and call the clinic if anything is unclear.

How it can feel

Early pregnancy can be an anxious time. It is completely normal to feel nervous before a scan. Bringing a partner or support person, if you would like one, can help. Remember that the sonographer’s job is to capture clear images; results are interpreted and passed on to your provider, who will talk to you about them.

Second trimester: weeks 14 to 27

For many people, the second trimester feels steadier. Energy often returns, and the pregnancy begins to show. It is also the time when a detailed scan is commonly offered.

The detailed or anatomy scan

Many pregnancies include a more detailed ultrasound partway through the second trimester, often somewhere around 18 to 22 weeks. You may hear it called a detailed scan, an anatomy scan or a mid-pregnancy ultrasound.

This scan generally looks at:

1. The baby’s growth, using a series of measurements
2. The development of major organs and body structures
3. The position of the placenta
4. The amount of amniotic fluid

Because it covers a lot of ground, this scan can take longer than others. Sometimes the baby’s position makes certain views hard to obtain, and a follow-up scan may be suggested. That is common and does not, by itself, mean anything is wrong.

Learning the sex at a diagnostic scan

Whether the sex is shared during a diagnostic scan depends on several things, including clinic practice and what the scan is for. If knowing is important to you, ask when you book. If you would rather not know, say so at the start of the appointment.

Where 3D/4D fits, and where it does not

Some families also choose a keepsake 3D/4D ultrasound in the later second trimester, often between about 23 and 28 weeks for the clearest facial views. It is important to be clear about the difference. A 3D/4D keepsake session is an optional experience for you and your family. It complements, and never replaces, the diagnostic ultrasounds your health-care provider arranges. If you are deciding between the two, the diagnostic scan always comes first.

Third trimester: weeks 28 to birth

Not every pregnancy needs an ultrasound in the third trimester. When one is recommended, it is usually because your provider would like more information about something specific.

Common reasons for a later scan

In general terms, a third-trimester ultrasound may be used to:

• Look at the baby’s growth over time
• Check the baby’s position as the due date approaches
• Assess the amount of amniotic fluid
• Recheck the placenta’s position if it was noted as low earlier on
• Follow up on anything your provider wants to look at again

Some pregnancies, such as those with twins or certain health conditions, may include several later scans. Others may have none. Both can be perfectly normal; the plan depends on you.

Comfort late in pregnancy

Lying on your back for a long time can feel uncomfortable later in pregnancy, and some people feel light-headed in that position. Let the sonographer know straight away if you feel unwell. They can help you shift to a more comfortable position, and short breaks are fine.

What to bring to any pregnancy ultrasound

Whatever the trimester, a few things make the visit easier:

• Your health card
• Your requisition from your doctor, midwife or other health-care provider
• Your preparation instructions, in case you have questions on arrival
• Comfortable two-piece clothing, so you can uncover your abdomen easily
• A bottle of water, if a full bladder is part of your instructions
• A support person, if you would like one

Arriving a few minutes early helps you settle in, especially if you are drinking water for a full bladder and want to time it well.

Questions worth asking your provider

Because your provider decides which scans suit your pregnancy, it helps to go into those conversations with a few questions ready. You might ask:

• Which ultrasounds do you recommend for me, and roughly when?
• What is each scan meant to check?
• Will I be offered any prenatal screening, and what does it involve?
• How will I receive my results, and who will explain them?
• If a follow-up scan is suggested, what does that usually mean in my situation?

Writing your questions down before an appointment, and noting the answers, can make a busy pregnancy easier to keep track of. Many parents keep a simple notebook or a note on their phone with appointment dates, requisitions and anything they want to remember. It is also perfectly reasonable to ask the same question twice if an answer did not quite land the first time. Good care depends on you understanding the plan.

Practical details at our Ajax clinic

Rossland Diagnostic Clinic is at Unit 102, 300 Rossland Road East in Ajax. We have free parking and ground-floor access, which many expecting parents appreciate, particularly later in pregnancy. Our hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm, and Saturday, 8:00am to 3:30pm. We are closed on Sundays.

Our ultrasound service includes general, obstetrical, musculoskeletal and vascular ultrasound. Preparation varies by exam, and you will receive instructions specific to your appointment. If anything is unclear, call us before the day rather than guessing.

If you are travelling from elsewhere in Durham Region or eastern Toronto, our areas we serve page shows the communities we regularly welcome.

When to call your health-care provider instead

An ultrasound appointment is not the place to raise urgent symptoms. If you notice anything that worries you during pregnancy, such as bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, or a change in your baby’s movements later in pregnancy, contact your health-care provider or seek urgent care right away. Do not wait for a scheduled scan.

Similarly, questions about whether you need a scan, how many you should have, or what your results mean are best answered by the provider who knows your history.

Book your pregnancy ultrasound

If your health-care provider has given you a requisition for an obstetrical ultrasound, we would be glad to see you in Ajax. Call us at 905-426-3111 or request an appointment, and remember to bring your health card and requisition on the day.