Understanding Pregnancy Ultrasound

Real-Time Imaging of Your Growing Baby Using High-Frequency Sound Waves

Pregnancy Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to see and record images or pictures in “real time.” This makes it ideal for imaging the moving fetus.

Queries:

How it Works
Ultrasounds are a routine part of your pregnancy. They are used to see that the fetus is growing normally, including the limbs, heart, brain and internal organs. It can also help doctors detect some abnormalities earlier than would otherwise be possible.

Calgary

#140, 4774 Westwinds Drive NE

Cold Lake

#101, 2012 8th Avenue

Bonnyville

#104, 4610 50th Street

At our Bonnyville location you have the option of adding a 4-D entertainment ultrasound to your medical exam. This is best done between 20-30 weeks gestational age.

Types of Pregnancy Ultrasounds

1st Trimester

This ultrasound is often used to confirm a pregnancy, to check on the age and progress of pregnancy in the early stages, or to rule out concerns early on.

Nuchal Translucency

Performed as a genetic screening test, this ultrasound is used to calculate the probability of your baby having a chromosomal abnormality. Performed between 11 weeks and 13 weeks of your pregnancy, a small fold of skin at the back of the baby’s neck is imaged and measured.

Done at:

Cold Lake – #101, 2012 8th Avenue

Bonnyville – #104, 4610 50th Street

2nd Trimester

Usually completed between 18-20 weeks gestation, this ultrasound provides a detailed assessment of your baby, including body structure and development.

3rd Trimester

During this later-stage ultrasound, we will check your baby’s position, growth, development and well-being.

30 – 60 minutes

Early Pregnancy

Drink 1L (4 cups) of water, 90 minutes prior to your appointment and finish it one hour before your appointment. DO NOT EMPTY BLADDER until after the examination or if directed by the technologist.

Pregnancy 28 Weeks and Over

Drink 500 ml (2 cups) of water, 90 minutes prior to your appointment and finish it one hour before your appointment. DO NOT EMPTY BLADDER until after the examination or if directed by the technician. Eat regular meals.

Ultrasound Origins

The first women to have a pregnancy ultrasound was in 1958. The image didn’t have access to the greyscale which we use to help separate different images in the body today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are your services covered by Alberta Health Care?

Almost every service we offer is covered by Alberta Health Care (or your province of residence) as long as you have a valid health card. To access full coverage, please bring your valid health care card and a referral from your health care provider to your appointment.

Our exceptions to full coverage are our:

Synolis injections for pain therapy. Alberta Health Services does not cover Synolis injections. However, AHS does cover our Cortisone pain therapy injections.

DEXA exams. DEXA exams gives infomation about your body fat, muscle mass and your bone density. It is not covered by Alberta Health Services.

No, you do not. Your primary physician may suggest a clinic location for you; however, that doesn’t mean you are required to get your exam at that location. We invite you to visit our clinic or any location for your exam where you feel safe and comfortable.

We are proud to have a diverse community at CGA. Our team is available to serve you in a dozen languages: English, Punjabi, Hindi, Tagalog, Nepali, Hindi, Bengali, Arabic, Urdu, Bulgarian, Serbian and Macedonian. There are different languages offered at each clinic, so please call ahead. If you speak a different language, you are welcome to bring an interpreter to your appointment.

If you are due for your routine screening mammogram, in some scenarios there is an option for a “self-referral.” This will save you visiting the doctor for a requisition form. There are certain criteria you must meet, so please call for more information to determine if you qualify for this option. If you have any concerns about your breast health, please speak to your doctor.

Yes, we have qualified female and male technologists available to complete your scan.

Our qualified technologists will perform your examination for our radiologists, who will interpret and put into a report.

Please note technologists cannot give exam results.

This report will be issued shortly after your appointment and faxed directly to your referring doctor. We recommend that you make an appointment with your health care provider, one to two business days after your exam to discuss your results.

Your exam requires a high level of focus for our technologists to accurately capture the images we require for your exam. If you have small children, please do your best to leave them with someone else or have someone come with you to sit with them in the waiting room.

Different types of scans require different preparation. Please visit your specific exam page to learn more about your required preparation.

Yes, you must drink the water. By drinking the water it helps our technologists see what is happening within the pelvic structure.
If the test specifies the need to fast, then yes, you have to fast. This is too ensure our vision is as clear as possible when we complete the exam.

Westwinds

#140, 4774 Westwinds Drive NE Calgary, AB T3J 0L7

Rundlehorn

#12, 3575 Rundlehorn Drive NE Calgary, AB T1Y 2K1

Cold Lake

#101, 2012 8th Avenue Cold Lake, AB T9M 1C2

Bonnyville

#104, 4610 50th Street Bonnyville, AB T9N 0G2

HIGH RIVER

#309 1st Street SW, High River, AB T1V 1R3

QUALITY & EXCELLENCE

Expect Nothing But The Best From Medical Technologies

OUR TESTIMONIAL

Here's What Our Customers Have Said

Our customers’ satisfaction is our top priority. Read their heartfelt testimonials and see how we’ve exceeded their expectations. Their experiences speak volumes about our commitment to quality and service.

John Villamor



This is just to commend the staffs of CGA at Westwind NE branch. Everyone was so professional and friendly. The one who took my ultrasound, didn’t catch her name, but she was very engaging and made me feel comfortable right away. I also would like to commend the front desk especially Karen for a kind gesture. Though I came early for my appointment because I was diabetic but she was kind enough to accommodate me right away. Kudos to your team!

Dalal



This place has an amazing customer service! Kind friendly front desk staff , who went above and beyond to help. The technician Manal was super nice , kind and patient and accommodating. The X-ray staff were super nice, kind and knowledgeable! Same goes to the staff member who did another ultra soon nd ,friendly and kind ! I highly recommend them for your needs.

Chris Chicote



What I like most of my experiences when I was there is not just professionalism ( it's the sense of humor from the front desk " Karen Salvador, Ann and Jaspreet my technician, ) it lifted me up a bit that I forgot the reason why I was there, so continue to lift others up...

Araby Roberts



Got an appointment very quickly (called on a Monday, got an appointment on that Wednesday). Someone picked up quite quickly, unlike other places where I was put on hold for very long times. I'm afraid I've forgotten the name of the ultrasound tech I had today (it was around 2pm & she had medium-long hair) but she was soo lovely and kind!!! As was the x-ray tech (she had very short dark hair)!

Christina Raj



The call was answered promptly and I got an appointment for the same day! The receptionts are very friendly and helpful. Lot of seating available in the waiting area. Great service!
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