Lesson 1Landmarks for early pregnancy: gestational sac, yolk sac, fetal pole, decidual reaction, and double decidual signThis lesson describes main ultrasound markers of early pregnancy, like gestational sac, yolk sac, fetal pole, and lining reaction, and explains the double lining sign, normal changes, and timing by weeks.
Normal appearance of gestational sacYolk sac morphology and size limitsFetal pole visualisation and timingDecidual reaction and double decidual signChronology of expected early findingsLesson 2Transabdominal acquisition: standard sagittal and transverse pelvic planes and uterine orientationThis lesson covers belly-based pelvic scanning in early pregnancy, including bladder prep, probe setup, standard side and cross planes, and checking womb position to support internal scans or when not possible.
Bladder filling and patient positioningMidline sagittal pelvic overviewTransverse pelvic sweep and adnexal surveyIdentifying uterine version and flexionOptimising depth, focus, and gain settingsLesson 3Assessment of free fluid in pelvis: location (Morison, pouch of Douglas), quantification, and clinical implicationsThis lesson explains routine checks for free fluid in pelvis and upper belly, covering key spots, volume grading, and spotting clotted fluid, linking scans to urgency and possible outside womb breaks.
Scanning pouch of Douglas and paracolic guttersRight upper quadrant and Morison’s pouchCharacterising anechoic versus complex fluidSemi-quantitative grading of free fluidImplications for suspected ectopic ruptureLesson 4Measurements and documentation: mean sac diameter (MSD), crown-rump length (CRL), fetal heart motion and how to measure/recordThis lesson details standard measures and records in early pregnancy, like MSD, CRL, and baby heart rate, with tips on caliper spots, image saving, clips, and reports for dating and life checks.
Mean sac diameter technique and pitfallsCrown-rump length and dating chartsFetal heart rate measurement methodsImage labelling and cine loop storageIntegrating measurements into reportsLesson 5Safety, informed consent and infection control for transvaginal scanningThis lesson addresses safety rules, consent, and germ control for internal scanning, including low dose, helper use, probe covers, deep cleaning, and kind talk about private exams.
ALARA and first-trimester safety indicesObtaining and documenting informed consentChaperone policies and patient dignityProbe covers, gel use, and barrier methodsHigh-level disinfection and traceabilityLesson 6Clinical indications, patient preparation: bladder filling protocols for transabdominal scanThis lesson reviews reasons for first-trimester pelvic ultrasound and patient prep details, stressing bladder fill plans for belly scans, no-go cases, and fitting to symptoms and stability.
Common indications in early pregnancyContraindications and relative limitationsBladder filling volumes and timingExplaining procedure and managing anxietyAdapting protocol to unstable patientsLesson 7Transvaginal acquisition: systematic sagittal and coronal views, uterine fundus-to-cervix sweep, adnexal interrogationThis lesson outlines step-by-step internal scan, stressing probe hold, routine side and front sweeps, and full check of womb, neck, and sides to best see early pregnancy and pelvis issues.
Patient positioning and probe insertion techniqueMidline uterine sagittal sweep fundus to cervixParamedian sagittal sweeps for uterine hornsCoronal plane acquisition and optimisationSystematic adnexal and cul-de-sac interrogationLesson 8Reporting language for viability, dating, and suspected ectopic pregnancy; recommended follow-up intervals and when urgent referral is neededThis lesson sets standard report words for life, dating, and possible outside womb pregnancy, and plans follow-up times, warning signs, and urgent gynae or emergency referrals for safe care.
Structured report elements for early pregnancyStandard terms for viability and uncertaintyDating statements and measurement reportingSuggested follow-up and repeat scan timingWhen to escalate for urgent specialist reviewLesson 9Findings suggesting ectopic pregnancy: adnexal mass characteristics, tubal ring, and non-visualised IUP thresholds and beta-hCG correlationThis lesson details scan signs raising worry for outside womb pregnancy, like side masses, tube ring, and free fluid, and explains no womb sac limits, hCG levels, and patient risk links.
Typical tubal ring and adnexal mass patternsRing of fire and vascularity assessmentFree fluid patterns and haemoperitoneumDiscriminatory beta-hCG and absent IUPPregnancy of unknown location algorithmsLesson 10Criteria to confirm intrauterine pregnancy versus pseudogestational sacThis lesson explains scan rules confirming true womb pregnancy, differing from fake sacs, and notes traps, timing, and patient data links to avoid wrong calls and bad handling.
Sonographic features of true gestational sacDouble decidual and intradecidual signsCentral fluid collections and pseudosacsRole of yolk sac and fetal pole visualisationCorrelation with symptoms and serial beta-hCGLesson 11Probe selection and machine presets: transabdominal curvilinear and transvaginal endovaginal transducerThis lesson covers picking right probes and settings for first-trimester pelvic ultrasound, comparing belly curvilinear and internal types, and tweaking frequency, depth, and exam needs.
Curvilinear versus endovaginal transducersChoosing frequency for body habitusPreset selection for early pregnancyAdjusting depth, focus, and dynamic rangeHarmonics and resolution versus penetration
