OB Ultrasound Training: Key Skills for Every Trimester
About this Program
This comprehensive 4-part webinar series is tailored for healthcare professionals dedicated to advancing their skills in obstetric ultrasound. Designed for sonographers, family medicine practitioners, OBs, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, doulas, and midwives, these sessions provide in-depth knowledge and practical techniques essential for high-quality prenatal care. Each session is carefully structured to address key aspects of OB ultrasound, from early pregnancy assessment to detecting fetal anomalies, offering valuable insights into every stage of pregnancy. Whether you're enhancing your current expertise or building foundational skills, this series provides the tools and confidence needed to excel in the dynamic field of obstetric ultrasound.
Session 1 – First Trimester Ultrasound: Early Pregnancy Imaging and Assessment
This course will explore essential techniques and considerations for early pregnancy imaging. Participants will gain insights into dating ultrasounds, including both transvaginal and transabdominal approaches, and learn how to identify single or multi-gestational pregnancies. The session will also focus on recognizing early abnormalities, such as molar pregnancies, failed pregnancies, and fetal abnormalities, enhancing the knowledge needed to support patient care in early pregnancy assessments.
Session 2 – Second Trimester Ultrasound: Fetal Anatomy and Placental Imaging
Open to professionals at any level with a foundational understanding of women’s health, this session focuses on conducting a comprehensive 20-week fetal anatomy scan. Participants will gain knowledge in performing a full anatomic survey, including required measurements and imaging techniques. Key topics will include assessment of the placenta and cervix, evaluation of fetal presentation and situs, assessing amniotic fluid levels, and applying appropriate measurement techniques to assess fetal growth. This course enhances attendees’ knowledge of advanced techniques used in second-trimester scans, contributing to high-quality prenatal care.
Session 3 – Third Trimester Ultrasound: Growth Assessment and Biophysical Profiles
Open to all experience levels, it emphasizes advanced imaging techniques tailored to the third trimester, including fetal growth monitoring, assessing the effects of gestational diabetes, and recognizing placental changes. Participants will build foundational skills in conducting and scoring biophysical profiles (BPPs) to assess fetal well-being and accurately document findings. Additionally, this session includes the basics of ultrasound-guided procedural roles, such as amniocentesis and external cephalic versions.
Session 4 – Detecting Fetal Anomalies: Case Studies and Genetic Indicators in Prenatal Ultrasound
This session focuses on recognizing and assessing common fetal anomalies, including complications specific to twin pregnancies. Participants will work through case studies to apply their knowledge to real-world situations and learn to recognize genetic indicators that may require additional evaluation. This session will also offer practical guidance for avoiding common pitfalls when anomalies are detected, enabling participants to document findings thoroughly and accurately to support high-quality prenatal care.
Educational Objectives
Session 1 – First Trimester Ultrasound: Early Pregnancy Imaging and Assessment
At the completion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Describe the steps involved in conducting a dating ultrasound, including transvaginal and transabdominal imaging
- Explain the process of assessing for single or multi-gestational pregnancy during an early pregnancy ultrasound
- Identify indicators of early abnormalities, such as molar pregnancies, fetal pregnancy, fetal abnormalities, in early ultrasound imaging
Session 2 – Second Trimester Ultrasound: Fetal Anatomy and Placental Imaging
At the completion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Outline the steps involved in performing a full anatomic survey (measurements, required anatomy)
- Describe the methods to image the placenta and cervix in a second-trimester scan
- Identify and assess fetal lie presentation and situs in a second-trimester scan
- Understand how to assess amniotic fluid
- Apply appropriate measurement techniques to assess fetal dates and development
Session 3 – Third Trimester Ultrasound: Growth Assessment and Biophysical Profiles
At the completion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Learn the primary indications of third-trimester imaging for intrauterine growth restrictions (IUGR) and gestational diabetes
- Recognize the parameters of normal fetal growth requirements
- Distinguish between normal and abnormal third-trimester placenta appearances
- Describe the scoring and documentation process of biophysical profiles (BPPs)
- Become familiar with and understand the sonographer role in OB Ultrasound-guided procedures; such as amniocentesis and external cephalic versions
Session 4 – Detecting Fetal Anomalies: Case Studies and Genetic Indicators in Prenatal Ultrasound
At the completion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Gain knowledge of common fetal anomalies, including those in common twin complications
- Develop an understanding of how to approach real-life scenarios through analysis of case studies
- Describe genetic indications that may suggest a need for further evaluation
- Become familiar with practical tips or pitfalls when anomalies are found
Schedule
What this course will cover
Session 1 – First Trimester Ultrasound: Early Pregnancy Imaging and Assessment
- Ultrasound Imaging Basics
- Transvaginal imaging
- Cleaning procedure
- Machine knobology
- Transvaginal imaging
- First Trimester Indications
- Emergent exams (ER patients, suspected ectopic pregnancies)
- Routine dating imaging
- Transabdominal and transvaginal
- Confirm dates
- Unknown dates
- Routine Re-evaluation
- Low or no heart beat
- Subchorionic hemorrhage
- Early IUP without fetal pole
- Protocol
- Uterus imaging and documentation
- Structural anomalies (septate and bicornuate)
- Adnexal images
- Document ovaries
- Corpus Luteal cyst
- Document abnormal masses or potential ectopic pregnancy findings
- Free fluid
- Posterior cul-de-sac
- Evaluate for free fluid
- Gestation sac
- Size and location
- Fetal pole
- Size
- Document fetal heart tones
- Yolk sac
- Size and shape
- Uterus imaging and documentation
- Multiple Gestation Considerations
- Abnormalities and Complications
- Trophoblastic disease
- Ectopic/Heterotopic pregnancies
- Fetal demise (cine and m-mode fetal heart)
- Blighted ovum
- Abnormal yolk sac
- Subchorionic hemorrhage
- IUD with a pregnancy
- Retained products of conception
Session 2 – Second Trimester Ultrasound: Fetal Anatomy and Placental Imaging
- Detailed Anatomic Survey
- Standard Evaluation
- Fetal number, presentation
- Fetal amniotic fluid
- Cervix (transvaginal if indicated)
- Biometry
- Biparietal diameter
- Head circumference
- Femur length
- Abdominal Circumference
- Fetal weight estimate
- Cerebellum
- Detailed if needed biometry
- Orbital diameters
- Humerus, ulna/radius, tibia/fibula
- Head/Neck
- Lateral ventricles
- Choroid Plexus, Midline Falx
- Cavum septi pellucidi
- Cerebellum/Cisterna magna
- Face
- Profile
- Nasal bone
- Coronal face
- Palate, maxilla, mandible, and tongue
- Orbits, ear position
- Chest/Heart
- Situs
- 4 chamber view, outflow tracts, 3 vessel view
- Ductal arch, aortic arch
- Thorax
- Lungs, diaphragm, ribs
- Abdomen
- Stomach (presence, size and situs)
- Kidneys, renal arteries, bladder
- Fetal cord insertion site, umbilical cord vessel number
- Spine
- Extremities
- Number, architecture, and position of limbs
- Genitalia
- When medically indicated (multiples)
- Placenta
- Location, appearance, placental cord insertion
- Relationship to internal os
- Standard Evaluation
Session 3 – Third Trimester Ultrasound: Growth Assessment and Biophysical Profiles
- Indications
- Growth considerations (gestational diabetes, Intrauterine growth restriction)
- Advanced maternal age
- Third Trimester Placenta Appearances
- Biophysical Profile
- Scoring and documenting
- Gross fetal movements
- Fine motor movements
- Fetal breathing
- Amniotic fluid
- MVP (maximum vertical pocket)
- Middle Cerebral Artery Doppler
- OB Ultrasound-Guided Procedures
- Chorionic Villus Sampling (10-14 weeks)
- Fetal blood sampling (18 weeks after visualization of cord insertion)
- Fetal transfusion
- Amniocentesis
- Indications
- Diagnose or exclude fetal aneuploidy
- Sonographer role
- Contraindications
- Hepatitis B and HIV infections
- Decreased amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios)
- Oral anticoagulation therapy must be stopped before procedure
- Possible complications
- Indications
Session 4 – Detecting Fetal Anomalies: Case Studies and Genetic Indicators in Prenatal Ultrasound
- Common Fetal Anomalies
- Considerations with Twins
- Twin to twin transfusion
- Acardiac twin
- Conjoined twins
- Stuck twins
- Placental Abnormalities
- Tips/Pitfalls
- Artifacts
- Fetal positioning
- Interesting Cases
Audience
Who should attend?
This webinar is designed for any level technologist or practitioner who wants to advance their ultrasound skills and has a basic understanding of women’s health, including:
- Sonographers
- Family Medicine OBs
- NPs
- PA-Cs
- Doulas
- Mid-wives
Program Faculty
Meet your presenter(s)
Lacey Carpenter
MSRS, ARDMS (RDMS, RVT, RDCS), ARRT (R)(M)
Lacey Carpenter has more than a decade of expertise in breast imaging. She has been dedicated to serving the rural community in northeastern Colorado alongside her husband for nearly four years. They both have a deep affection for their community, where they are raising their daughter and cherishing quality time with family.
Before settling in Colorado, Lacey's career took her on a journey as a traveling sonographer across the Midwest of the United States, offering her expertise in General, Breast, Vascular, Obstetric, and Cardiac Ultrasound Imaging.
Lacey earned her Bachelor of Science in Medical Diagnostic Imaging with an emphasis in Radiology and Mammography in 2011. Continuing her commitment to excellence, while on her travels, she pursued further education and successfully obtained a Master's degree in Radiologic Sciences in 2019.
Credits
Accredited training programs
ASRT Pending
Category A/A+ CE credit is pending approval by the ASRT. An application for 2 (per session) hours of credit for radiologic technologists recognized by the ARRT and various licensure states has been filed.
CME
The Medical Technology Management Institute is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Medical Technology Management Institute designates this live activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity
Nursing CBRN
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP# 16205 for 2 (per session) contact hours.
Tuition
Convenient payment options available
| Audience | Price | Early Price | Member Price | Member Early Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technologist | $59.00 | $56.00 | $54.00 | $51.00 |
| Nurse | $59.00 | $56.00 | $54.00 | $51.00 |
| Sonographer | $59.00 | $56.00 | $54.00 | $51.00 |
| Physician | $69.00 | $65.00 | $63.00 | $60.00 |
Early Pricing Guidelines
Qualifying 'Early' registrations must be made at least 4 days in advance for the program.
Cancellation Policy
Webinars less than 8 hours of credit
Refunds, minus a $15 processing fee, will be granted for cancellations received at least 3 days prior to the program. Cancellations received within 3 days of the webinar will receive a credit toward a future MTMI program, minus the $15 processing fee. No refunds will be made after the webinar starts. MTMI reserves the right to cancel any scheduled program because of low advance registration or other reasons. MTMI’s liability is limited to a refund of any program tuition paid. WEBINAR ATTENDEES that cannot log in due to unsolvable technical issues beyond their control will be eligible for a full refund.
