What Your Fertility Ultrasound Is Really Looking For

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 ultrasoundHow endometriosis can appear on an ultrasoundThe subtle signs of superficial endometriosisHow doctors assess whether the fallopian tubes are openWhether a tubal flush can improve natural conceptionWhat adenomyosis is and how it may affect fertilityTransvaginal, abdominal and transrectal ultrasound optionsWhat your antral follicle count says about ovarian reserveWhy a low egg count does not equal infertilityWhat doctors look for during an early pregnancy scanWhy pregnancy dating and viability can sometimes remain uncertainEpisode chapters00:46 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 uncertainABOUT WOMEN’S HEALTH MELBOURNEWomen’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.Host: CREI Fertility Specialist, Dr Raelia LewGuest: Dr Lufee Wong www.wum.com.au Knocked Up Producer: Jess Clark  Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠@knockeduppodcast ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠@drraelia lew⁠⁠ ⁠⁠@womenshealthmelbourne⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@knockeduppodcast⁠⁠Women’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.Embryo donation, egg donation Australia, donor conception, donor-conceived children, IVF journey, IVF failure, infertility support, fertility trauma, miscarriage support, pregnancy loss,