Obstetric Ultrasound
Theoretical course
This course is a theoretical ultrasound course only and will require a supported practical component as determined by your Local Health Network.
Providing the knowledge base and skills required to assess fetal presentation and wellbeing with ultrasound.
Developed as a joint initiative between the Mobile Learning Unit, Melbourne Medical School, and Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women.
Many of the problems and clinical questions encountered in routine antenatal care can be quickly solved or easily answered with a bedside ultrasound scan. This ultrasound course has been designed to upskill midwives providing pregnancy care anywhere to be able to accurately determine fetal presentation, and to assess fetal wellbeing at the point of care, without having to refer on to a medical imaging service.
Eligibility requirements
SA Health employed midwife
Designed for
Highly recommended for midwives providing antenatal and intrapartum care to pregnant women.
Learning outcomes
- Describe the basics of ultrasound including ultrasound physics, machine operation, bioeffects and machine care.
- Identify relevant fetal anatomy as seen when imaged with ultrasound.
- Determine fetal presentation, lie and position from ultrasound scan images combined with ultrasound probe locations.
- Explain the purpose and possible clinical abnormalities of Amniotic Fluid.
- Describe the ultrasound procedures required to assess amniotic fluid volume, a fetal biophysical profile and feto-placental Dopplers as markers of fetal wellbeing.
- Analyse the suitability of Doppler ultrasound waveforms and results.
- Explain how Doppler ultrasound results relate to blood flow resistance in the umbilical and fetal middle cerebral arteries in given clinical contexts.
- Differentiate between the meaning of Middle Cerebral Artery blood flow resistance and velocity.
- Explain how Middle Cerebral Artery Doppler is applied in clinical practice.
Course units
- Tutorial 1: Introduction to ultrasound
- Tutorial 2: Fetal Presentation
- Tutorial 3: Amniotic Fluid Volume - Biophysical Profile
- Tutorial 4: Umbilical Artery Doppler
- Tutorial 5: Middle Cerebral Artery Doppler
Knowledge and skills
- Determination of fetal presentation and lie, including understanding when and why assessment of fetal presentation is indicated
- Recognition of the fetal skull, spine and trunk, in longitudinal and transverse sections
- Ability to assess amniotic fluid volume, and understanding of how it relates to fetal wellbeing
- Understanding the most common causes of oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios
- Ability to assess a fetal biophysical profile
- Understanding of the basic physics and safety considerations of Doppler ultrasound
- Ability to assess and quantify umbilical artery and fetal middle cerebral artery resistance
- Understanding of how umbilical artery and fetal middle cerebral artery Doppler results relate to placental function at different gestations
Assessment
The assessment is a submission of 5 tutorials, 5 self-assessments, 10 case studies and 1 end of course examination. A certificate is issued upon satisfactory completion of the course.
Delivery mode
Course completion requires approximately 13 hours of elearning (2 hours each tutorial, 2 hours for all case studies and 1 hour for the exam). This course is delivered online and students can study in their own time and location. Course materials can be accessed using a web browser.
How to apply
Applications close 30 June 2025
SA Health midwives interested in the course are to contact their direct line manager who will liaise with the Nursing and Midwifery Office.
Staff will receive an email from the University of Melbourne mobile learning unit with portal access and instructions. If you do not receive an email or have queries, check your Junk Folder and then contact the Nursing and Midwifery Office at health.nursingandmidwiferytraining@sa.gov.au.
Fees
Fully funded by SA Health