Advanced Fetal Imaging

Detailed fetal ultrasound

A detailed fetal ultrasound scan allows your health-care provider to examine the fetal organs, placenta, amniotic fluid volume and cervix in great detail.  

These scans are typically done during the second trimester of pregnancy, but they can also be done during the first trimester in some circumstances. The detailed fetal ultrasound is often done at the same time as a Doppler ultrasound, which allows physicians to visualize blood flow in the fetus. There are no known side effects during pregnancy for either of those tests.

Detailed fetal ultrasounds may be recommended for patients with the following conditions:

• A high risk or diagnosis of fetal abnormality
• Fetal growth concerns
• Problems with the placenta
• Problems with the amniotic fluid
• Shortening of the cervix
• Some multiple (twins or more) pregnancies  
• A history of pregnancy complications
• Maternal medical disorders such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart conditions, kidney conditions or immune disorders

No special preparation is required. Although, a full bladder may be necessary for early pregnancy ultrasounds.

The examination will be done by a specially trained fetal medicine nurse or sonographer. The ultrasound may take between 30 to 60 minutes or longer.

After the exam, the fetal medicine specialist or specially trained radiologist will discuss the ultrasound results with you and give you a copy of the report before you leave.

Location

Fetal Medicine Unit (FMU) or Centre of Excellence in Obstetric Ultrasound (CEOU)
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) building
700 University Avenue 
3rd floor

See maps, directions and parking for Mount Sinai Hospital. 

Fetal echocardiogram

A fetal echocardiogram is a specialized ultrasound scan of the fetal heart and large blood vessels.  

It is performed in the same way as a standard obstetrical ultrasound by moving a small device over your belly. It is safe during pregnancy with no known side effects.  

Fetal echocardiograms are ordered for fetuses at high risk of, or already diagnosed with, a heart condition.

No special preparation is required. The fetal echo lab will contact you directly to schedule your appointment time.

The examination will be performed by a paediatric cardiologist who specializes in fetal heart conditions. The test will take place either at Mount Sinai Hospital or the Hospital for Sick Children It will take 45 to 60 minutes.

After the exam, the paediatric cardiologist will discuss the results with you and give you a copy of the report before you leave.

Location

Fetal Medicine Unit (FMU) or Centre of Excellence in Obstetric Ultrasound (CEOU)
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) building
700 University Avenue 
3rd floor

See maps, directions and parking for Mount Sinai Hospital.

Or

Fetal echocardiography
The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
170 Elizabeth Street 
Level 4B

You will need to get a hospital card for SickKids when you arrive for your fetal echocardiogram. 

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Fetal MRI is a non-invasive scan that uses magnetic fields to examine the fetus. MRIs do not use X-rays and have no known risks or side effects during pregnancy.

MRIs provide better images compared to ultrasound for evaluating specific fetal conditions such as the following:  

• Fetal congenital diaphragmatic hernia
• Fetal brain abnormalities
• Abnormal placental development such as placenta accreta
• Certain fetal cardiac problems

Before your MRI, you will be asked to sign a standard consent form. No special preparation is necessary.

The MRI department will contact you directly to schedule your appointment time.

During the fetal MRI scan, you will lie flat on a bed that moves into a scanner tube. Within the tube, a special magnet rotates to take images. The MRI is quite noisy, so you will be given a headset with earplugs. A fetal MRI scan takes 30 to 45 minutes.

If you are anxious, we can offer you a mild sedative to help you relax. However, if you have severe claustrophobia, you might not tolerate an MRI.  

After your MRI, a specialized radiologist will interpret the images within one or two days.

Location

Medical Imaging 
600 University Avenue
5th floor

See maps, directions and parking for Mount Sinai Hospital.

Or

Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
170 Elizabeth Street

You will need to get a hospital card for SickKids when you arrive for your fetal echocardiogram.