Ontario Moms Face Long Drives for Ultrasounds Due to Shortage

Sylvia Lopez is 20 weeks pregnant and figures she’s spent over 12 hours driving to ultrasound appointments so far.

The London, Ont., resident spent weeks calling imaging centers in her city and nearby areas, but was told there were no available appointments. Eventually, she managed to book one at a clinic an hour and a half away in Milton, Ont.

“I’ve been to Milton multiple times and it’s hard. It’s transportation, it’s logistics, it’s gas money, it’s everything,” she said.

Lopez is just one of many women in Ontario facing challenges in scheduling routine ultrasound appointments due to increasing waitlists and a shortage of sonographers.

Expecting mother Sylvia Lopez is driving from London, Ont., to Milton, Ont., for ultrasound appointments after being told that local sonographers are booked full. (Submitted by Sylvia Lopez)

According to Tara Chegwin, director of professional affairs at Sonography Canada, more than 10 million ultrasounds are performed across the country each year.

“Even though the capacity within the system to provide more ultrasounds has grown, the demand has also grown,” she said. “This has been a longstanding challenge within the healthcare system.”

A recent report from the Fraser Institute shows that ultrasound wait times average about four weeks in Ontario.

The provincial vacancy rate for sonographers was 20 percent in 2024 according to Chegwin, although expecting parents are usually prioritized when booking appointments.

Rebecca Kennedy Briand drove from London, Ont., to Woodstock, Ont., to receive this ultrasound image of her now-born son, Casey. (Submitted by Rebecca Kennedy Briand)

“For obstetric ultrasound, they have to occur at specific time frames during pregnancy; those scans aren’t typically delayed like other types might be,” Chegwin explained. She added that those needing abdominal or pelvic ultrasounds might face even longer delays.

“All of the sites are trying their best to get those scans done within the optimal window based on what the doctor requested,” she added.

The Burden on Parents

Parents express feeling overwhelmed when trying to schedule an ultrasound since each must align with important milestones during pregnancy.

“It’s so stressful. You already have so many things on your mind about planning and worrying if the baby is okay,” said London mom Rebecca Kennedy Briand. “It’s scary thinking that maybe I can’t get the care that I need.”

Rebecca Kennedy Briand says it was stressful traveling from London to Woodstock for frequent ultrasounds throughout her pregnancy. She gave birth to her first son in April. (Kendra Seguin/)

Briand and Lopez noted that after confirming their pregnancies and receiving referrals for ultrasounds from their doctors, it became their responsibility to find a sonographer.

“It was very time-consuming during my lunch hour at work,” Briand said. “Sometimes you’re put on hold; sometimes you can’t talk with someone; sometimes you’re stuck waiting for a long time.”

Briand traveled 30 minutes each way to Woodstock for ultrasounds throughout her pregnancy and considers herself among the fortunate parents.

“There are several platforms like Facebook and Instagram where people share experiences about this issue; I’d say I see at least one post daily from a mom saying ‘I’ve been calling around and I can’t get an ultrasound. Where are you going?’” she remarked. “I’ve definitely seen moms post they’re driving as far as Mississauga.”

London, Ont., resident Sylvia Lopez is 20 weeks pregnant with her third child. She has been traveling more than an hour and a half each way to Milton, Ont., for ultrasounds. (Submitted by Sylvia Lopez)

This stress doesn’t end while commuting for appointments either; Lopez added how exhausting it’s been emotionally.
 

“Emotionally it’s been draining,” she stated. “The last appointment happened during a heavy thunderstorm; traffic on Highway 401 gets hectic sometimes due accidents which aren’t under your control.” She continued expressing feelings of anxiety throughout these trips.

Pushing for More Sonographers

Chegwin mentioned efforts being made towards filling vacancies among sonographers across Ontario.

“International recruitment of sonographers is one strategy we’re looking into,” she explained further adding there are numerous new educational programs created in Ontario aimed at producing more graduates annually.”

In light of current challenges faced by expecting parents，Briand offers some advice:

“Be prepared. Be ready to drive…just know about [the challenges] ahead of time so you may feel less stressed，”she suggested.

<p meanwhlie，Lopez encourages fellow parents not be too hard on themselves through this process.

“If there are any moms out there who share similar stories like mine，I want them aware they’re not alone nor unlucky-this situation is part & parcel of our current system，”she emphasized.

A Ministry of Health spokesperson provided written statements highlighting recent attempts taken statewide aimed towards enhancing healthcare professionals’ numbers thereby working toward reducing wait-times overall：

“Ontario stands as Canada’s first province implementing ‘As Of Right’ regulations benefitting healthcare workers such as medical sonographers allowing immediate practice commencement upon registration elsewhere.” Their statement adds information regarding future regulatory measures aiming faster patient care transition while minimizing waiting periods will also be put forth timely.”

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