Pregnancy Ultrasound in Toronto & the GTA
Dating, IPS/NT, anatomy and third trimester scans, ordered by your doctor, nurse practitioner or midwife.
At a glance
- How long
- About 20 to 45 minutes depending on the exam
- How to prepare
- See the steps below Full instructions
- Cost
- Self-pay Not covered by OHIP
- Results
- 24 to 48 hours Report sent to your doctor
A pregnancy ultrasound, also called an obstetrical ultrasound, uses sound waves to make pictures of your baby, the placenta and the fluid around the baby. It uses no radiation. Most pregnancies include an early dating scan and an anatomy scan at about 18 to 20 weeks, and many people are also offered an NT scan in between.
Your doctor, nurse practitioner or midwife decides which scans you need and when, and gives you a requisition for each one. Here is what each scan is for, in the order you are likely to have them.
The scans in a typical pregnancy
- Dating: early in pregnancy, to confirm how far along you are
- IPS/NT, 11 to 13 weeks and 3 days: measures the fluid at the back of the baby's neck, as part of prenatal screening
- Anatomy scan, 18 to 20 weeks: looks at how the baby's organs and body are developing
- Third trimester or biophysical profile (BPP): only when your provider has a reason to order it, for example to check growth
How to prepare
- Drink 4 glasses (1 litre) of water, finishing 1 hour before your appointment.
- Do not go to the washroom, you need a full bladder for this exam.
- You may eat as usual.
- Wear a two-piece outfit so you only need to lower your waistband a little.
- Not sure which instructions apply to you? Call us before your appointment.
What happens at your appointment
- Arrive at least 15 minutes early with your health card and your signed requisition.
- You lie on the exam table and lower your waistband. The sonographer puts warm gel on your belly.
- A handheld probe moves over your belly while the sonographer takes measurements and pictures. The anatomy scan has the most to check, so it is one of the longer appointments.
- Very early scans are sometimes done with a small internal (transvaginal) probe, because the baby is tiny. If that is needed, the sonographer explains it first and you can ask questions or talk it over before anything starts.
- The sonographer cannot tell you the results. That is not a sign that anything is wrong.
- A radiologist reads your images. Your results are sent securely to your referring provider, who will review them with you.
How long: About 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the exam.
Cost and OHIP coverage
With a valid Ontario health card and a requisition, this exam is covered by OHIP. There is no charge for the exam, the report or your images.
Without OHIP, Bluewater's cash fee schedule lists these prices as of October 2026: dating $145 (twins $205); IPS NT $145 (twins $205); anatomy scan at 18 to 20 weeks $155 (with Doppler $220, twins $270); third trimester or BPP $155 (with Doppler $260, twins $270).
Elective 3D/4D keepsake sessions are separate. They need no requisition, are not covered by OHIP and do not replace the scans your provider orders. The full list of self-pay prices is on our Insurance & Billing page.
Where to have it done
- 123 Edward Street 123 Edward Street, Suite 600, Toronto Book
- Eglinton Avenue East 150 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 301, Toronto Book
- Etobicoke 3170 Lake Shore Blvd West, Suite 101, Etobicoke Book
- Keele & Ingram 2221 Keele Street, Suite 106, North York Book
- Lawrence & Dufferin 960 Lawrence Ave. West, Suite 203, North York Book
- Scarborough 1371 Neilson Road, Suite 309, Scarborough Book
- University Heights 1275 Finch Ave W, Suite 114, North York Book
- Woodbridge 4600 Highway 7 West, Unit LL30, Woodbridge Book
- Port Hope 249 Ontario Street, Suite 110, Port Hope Book
- Belleville 210 Dundas Street East, Suite 301, Belleville Book
All ten clinics offer pregnancy (obstetric) ultrasound. To check which clinic does the scan you need, such as the IPS/NT scan or the 18 to 20 week anatomy scan, call 416-462-0064.
Common questions
How many ultrasounds will I have during pregnancy?
Most pregnancies have two: an early scan to date the pregnancy and an anatomy scan at about 18 to 20 weeks. Many people are also offered an NT scan at 11 to 13 weeks. Your provider may order more if there is a medical reason.
Do I need a full bladder for a pregnancy ultrasound?
Bluewater's instructions for obstetrical ultrasounds are to drink 4 glasses (1 litre) of water, finishing 1 hour before your appointment, and not to go to the washroom before the exam. You may eat as usual. If you are not sure which instructions apply to you, call 416-462-0064 before your appointment.
Do I need a requisition for a pregnancy ultrasound?
Yes. Diagnostic pregnancy ultrasounds need a requisition from your doctor, nurse practitioner or midwife, and with a valid health card they are covered by OHIP. Elective 3D/4D keepsake sessions are separate and need no requisition.
Is ultrasound safe during pregnancy?
Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, which is why it is used throughout pregnancy. Every diagnostic scan is ordered by your provider for a reason. If you have questions about a scan, ask the provider who ordered it.