Sylvia Lopez, a 20-week pregnant woman from London, Ontario, has faced challenges scheduling ultrasound appointments, having spent over 12 hours commuting to and from clinics. Due to fully booked local sonographers, she had to travel to Milton, Ontario, for her appointments.
In Ontario, many expecting mothers are struggling to secure routine ultrasounds due to increasing waitlists and a shortage of sonographers. According to Tara Chegwin, the director of professional affairs at Sonography Canada, the demand for ultrasounds has grown despite an increase in the system’s capacity to provide them.
The average wait time for ultrasounds in Ontario is around four weeks, as reported by the Fraser Institute. The provincial sonographer vacancy rate was 20% in 2024, contributing to the delays. However, obstetric ultrasounds are usually prioritized to ensure they occur within specific pregnancy timelines.
Expectant parents like Rebecca Kennedy Briand and Sylvia Lopez have expressed the stress and challenges of booking timely ultrasound appointments. They have highlighted the emotional and logistical burden of traveling long distances for essential scans during their pregnancies.
Efforts have been made to address the sonographer shortage in Ontario, including international recruitment and the establishment of new educational programs. While improvements are underway, expecting parents are advised to prepare for potential travel and delays when scheduling ultrasound appointments.
In a statement to CBC News, the Ministry of Health highlighted initiatives to increase healthcare professionals in the province and reduce wait times. They emphasized regulatory changes to facilitate the practice of medical sonographers and other allied health professionals in Ontario promptly.