Obstetrical Exams

Please Note:

An Obstetrical ultrasound is used to establish the presence of an embryo, examine your fetus, and to monitor the continued growth and well-being of your little one.

At Pureform Radiology our experienced sonographers and Radiologist's will guide you through this exciting journey! You will receive a free baby CD of your child images and a printed photograph as well.

Your doctor will order a series of ultrasounds. Please select your exam from the below options to find out more about the procedure and the preparation required for your exam.

This is commonly ordered to see how far you are along in your pregnancy, it is often the first exam that we would receive. If you are bleeding or experiencing pain, the doctor would want this done to rule out miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. If you are too early your technologist after discussion with the Radiologist may want you to come back, for a follow up exam when you are a bit more advanced in the pregnancy to more accurately date and visualize internal structures. Our Radiologist may recommend that you come back for a follow-up exam. There is no need to worry, follow-up exams are often needed because it's too early to make a full diagnosis.

We do allow spouse/family to be in the room but a friendly reminder, this is a medical exam and the technologist does need to concentrate. If you have other small children with you they may have to step out of the room with family if they become bored, and may come back into the room once they have settled.

Pureform Procedure

After positioning on a bed the sonographer will begin the exam by preparing the area for scanning. This preparation involves ensuring the area to be scanned is clean and free of obstruction. A transmission medium such as gel or cream will be applied to the area to ensure sufficient transmission of ultrasound waves. This ensures excellent image quality.

During the exam the ultrasound transducer will be moved around the areas of concern, ensuring each area is imaged completely. The sonographer may reposition a patient to ensure all needed images are taken. If needed an internal ultrasound will be needed to get the best images. After you have voided your bladder and repositioned back on the table you will be asked to insert a small probe into your vagina. The camera/probe takes high quality images of your pelvic organs.

From time to time the sonographer may need to apply some pressure on the probe to completely image a structure. This may cause some minor discomfort but should never be painful. Please communicate with your sonographer during your exam to ensure the best possible experience.

Preparation

This exam requires a full bladder in order to complete exam. 1.5 Hours prior to your appointment please drink 1 litre of water. Finish drinking all the water 1 hour prior to your appointment. You may eat your regular meals or snack prior to appointment. Arrive 15 minutes early and to bring your Alberta Health Care card.

When Will I get my Results?

Your doctor who ordered the exam will receive the results in 1-2 business days or same day if required urgently.

They call this exam detailed for a reason; it is one of the longest obstetrical exams taking an in depth look at your baby. Your baby’s head, abdominal organs, heart, extremities, placenta position, amount of amniotic fluid and position will be assessed during this test. We also ensure your baby is growing well. Your sonographer may be able to let you know the gender, should you want to know. We can also provide a gender card in an envelope for future reveal.

We do allow spouse/family to be in the room but a friendly reminder, this is a medical exam and the technologist does need to concentrate. If you have other small children with you they may have to step out of the room with family if they become bored, and may come back into the room once they have settled.

Pureform Procedure

After positioning on the bed, the sonographer will begin the exam by preparing the area for scanning. This preparation involves ensuring the area to be scanned is clean and free of obstruction.

A transmission medium such as gel or cream will be applied to the area to ensure sufficient transmission of ultrasound waves. This ensures excellent image quality.

During the exam the ultrasound transducer will be moved around to view baby. You may be asked to sit or reposition. If baby is not in the right position, or if we cannot get the view needed, you may have to be rebooked for another day.

From time to time the sonographer may need to apply some pressure on the probe to completely image a structure. This may cause some minor discomfort but should never be painful. Please communicate with your sonographer during your exam to ensure the best possible experience.

Preparation

This exam requires a full bladder in order to complete exam. 1.5 Hours prior to your appointment please drink 1 litre of water. Finish drinking all the water 1 hour prior to your appointment. You may eat your regular meals or snack prior to appointment. Arrive 15 minutes early and to bring your Alberta Health Care card.

When Will I get my Results?

Your doctor who ordered the exam will receive the results in 1-2 business days or same day if required urgently.

A Biophysical Ultrasound measures the health of your baby. It measures your baby’s heart rate, muscle tone, movement, breathing and the amount of amniotic fluid. A BPP is commonly done in the last trimester of your pregnancy. Some women with high risk pregnancies may have to have this test once a week.

If your baby doesn’t score perfectly during this exam, you may be required to go to the delivery ward for further testing.

We do allow spouse/family to be in the room. As a friendly reminder, this is a medical exam and the technologist does need to concentrate. If you have other small children with you they may have to step out of the room with family if they become bored, and may come back into the room once they have settled.

Pureform Procedure

After positioning on the bed, the sonographer will begin the exam by preparing the area for scanning. This preparation involves ensuring the area to be scanned is clean and free of obstruction.

A transmission medium such as gel or cream will be applied to the area to ensure sufficient transmission of ultrasound waves. This ensures excellent image quality.

During the exam the ultrasound transducer will be moved around to view baby. You may be asked to sit or reposition. If baby is not in the right position, you may have to be rebooked for another day.

From time to time the sonographer may need to apply some pressure on the probe to completely image a structure. This may cause some minor discomfort but should never be painful. Please communicate with your sonographer during your exam to ensure the best possible experience.

Preparation

This exam requires a full bladder in order to complete exam. 1.5 Hours prior to your appointment please drink 1 litre of water. Finish drinking all the water 1 hour prior to your appointment. You may eat your regular meals or snack prior to appointment. Arrive 15 minutes early and to bring your Alberta Health Care card.

When Will I get my Results?

Your doctor who ordered the exam will receive the results in 1-2 business days or same day if required urgently.

The nuchal ultrasound is a screening ultrasound which assesses the likelihood of your child having a chromosomal defect. This is exam is time sensitive and needs to be booked between 11-13 and 6 days. At Pureform Radiology we book this exam at 12 weeks gestational age. This test measures the thickness of fluid build up at the back of the developing baby’s neck. We do not correlate blood work with an ultrasound.

We do allow spouse/family to be in the room but a friendly reminder, this is a medical exam and the technologist does need to concentrate. If you have other small children with you they may have to step out of the room with family if they become bored, and may come back into the room once they have settled.

Pureform Procedure

After positioning on the bed, the sonographer will begin the exam by preparing the area for scanning. This preparation involves ensuring the area to be scanned is clean and free of obstruction.

A transmission medium such as gel or cream will be applied to the area to ensure sufficient transmission of ultrasound waves. This ensures excellent image quality.

During the exam the ultrasound transducer will be moved around to view baby. You may be asked to sit or reposition. If baby is not in the right position, you may have to be rebooked for another day.

From time to time the sonographer may need to apply some pressure on the probe to completely image a structure. This may cause some minor discomfort but should never be painful. Please communicate with your sonographer during your exam to ensure the best possible experience.

Preparation

This exam requires a full bladder in order to complete exam. 1.5 Hours prior to your appointment please drink 1 litre of water. Finish drinking all the water 1 hour prior to your appointment. You may eat your regular meals or snack prior to appointment. Arrive 15 minutes early and to bring your Alberta Health Care card.

When Will I get my Results?

Your doctor who ordered the exam will receive the results in 1-2 business days or same day if required urgently.