What can a fertility ultrasound actually tell you about your chances of becoming pregnant?
In this episode of Knocked Up, Dr Raelia Lew speaks with a specialist obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound doctor to uncover what expert fertility scans can reveal about your reproductive health.
They explore how ultrasounds can identify endometriosis, adenomyosis, blocked fallopian tubes, fibroids and other conditions that may affect fertility. They also explain the difference between a standard pelvic ultrasound and a specialist gynaecological scan, including why the person performing and interpreting your scan matters.
You’ll learn what an antral follicle count really measures, why a low egg count does not automatically mean infertility, and how flushing the fallopian tubes may improve the chance of spontaneous conception for some couples.
The conversation also covers what doctors look for during a six-week pregnancy scan, including the location of the pregnancy, the number of embryos and early signs of viability. Importantly, they explain why an inconclusive first scan does not necessarily mean that a pregnancy will be unsuccessful.
In this episode:
The difference between a general and specialist gynaecological ultrasound
How endometriosis can appear on an ultrasound
The subtle signs of superficial endometriosis
How doctors assess whether the fallopian tubes are open
Whether a tubal flush can improve natural conception
What adenomyosis is and how it may affect fertility
Transvaginal, abdominal and transrectal ultrasound options
What your antral follicle count says about ovarian reserve
Why a low egg count does not equal infertility
What doctors look for during an early pregnancy scan
Why pregnancy dating and viability can sometimes remain uncertain
Episode chapters
00:46 What does a specialist ultrasound doctor do?
01:44 Specialist versus general gynaecological ultrasound 05:54 The anatomy required for natural conception
07:08 Detecting endometriosis on an ultrasound
09:03 How blocked fallopian tubes affect fertility
10:05 What happens during a tubal patency test?
12:02 Poppy seed oil versus foam tubal flushing
13:27 Can flushing your tubes improve conception?
14:41 Understanding adenomyosis
18:20 The subtle ultrasound signs of endometriosis
21:15 Pelvic pain, tenderness and organ mobility
24:01 Alternatives to transvaginal ultrasound
28:41 What is an antral follicle count?
30:23 Do you lose eggs during IVF or egg freezing?
32:08 Why low egg count does not mean infertility
32:38 What happens during a six-week pregnancy scan?
33:59 When early pregnancy viability is uncertain
ABOUT WOMEN’S HEALTH MELBOURNE
Women’s Health Melbourne is an innovative fertility and women’s health practice led by Dr Raelia Lew. Its specialist team provides evidence-based care across fertility, IVF, egg freezing and women’s health.
Learn more or book an appointment womenshealthmelbourne.com.au.
This podcast provides general information and should not replace personalised medical advice from your healthcare professional.
Women’s Health Melbourne is an innovative fertility and women’s health practice led by Dr Raelia Lew. Its specialist team provides evidence-based care across fertility, IVF, egg freezing and women’s health.
Learn more or book an appointment through Women’s Health Melbourne.
This podcast provides general information and should not replace personalised medical advice from your healthcare professional.
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