Women's Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Second and Third Trimester

Course Overview

This course covers when and how to use POCUS during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. It includes fetal assessment, position, presentation, tests for fetal well-being, and examination of structures like placenta, cord, and cervix. Evaluation of postpartum and abnormal bleeding is addressed, with a focused review of pregnancy-specific exam techniques.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course the learner will be able to:

1. List the indications for performing a second trimester POCUS

2. Accurately describe fetal presentation and position, using maternal and fetal anatomic landmarks

3. Recognize fetal presentations that are not deliverable vaginally

4. Locate the placenta on images and detect abnormalities (previa, low-lying, accreta)

5. Describe umbilical cord location and features

6. Measure cervical length correctly and identify normal values for preterm labor detection

7. State biophysical profile indications and discuss management of abnormal results.

8. Recognize clinical and ultrasound signs of subinvolution, abnormal postpartum bleeding, and retained products of conception

Target Audience

Practitioners of women’s health including physicians, junior doctors, house officers, midwives, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants

Credit Information

Credit Type

* AMA PRA Category 1™

Number of Credits

* AMA PRA Category 1 ™ credits are used by physicians and other groups like PAs and certain nurses. Category 1 credits are accepted by the ARDMS, CCI, ACCME, and Sonography Canada.

Faculty

Diana Dowdy, DNP, CNM, RDMS, FACNM

Disclosure

Diana Dowdy, DNP, CNM, RDMS, FACNM discloses no such relationships exist

In compliance with the Essentials and Standards of the ACCME, the author of this CME tutorial is required to disclose any significant financial or other relationships they may have with commercial interests.

IAME has assessed conflict of interest with its faculty, authors, editors, and any individuals who were in a position to control the content of this CME activity. Any identified relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated. IAME's planners, content reviewers, and editorial staff disclose no relationships with ineligible entities.

Estimated Time for Completion

8 hours

Date of Release

September 13th, 2025

Date of Most Recent Review

September 13th, 2025

Expiration Date

September 13th, 2028

Accreditation

The Institute for Advanced Medical Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Institute for Advanced Medical Education designates this enduring material for a maximum of 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™s. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Sonographers: These credits are accepted by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), Sonography Canada, Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), and most other organizations.

For information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity, please consult your professional licensing board or other credentialing organization.