In remote clinics, refugee camps, and health centres operating on a shoestring budget, the ability to assess a pregnant woman swiftly and accurately can make the difference between life and death—for both mother and baby. Whether you’re a midwife in a conflict zone, a health worker in a remote village, or an outreach trainer looking to equip your team with crucial diagnostic tools, this course was designed with you in mind. We’re not here to train hospital specialists in niche anomalies. We’re here to train you—to assess pregnancies, spot red flags, and act confidently using whatever tools are available.

Because when you’re working in the most challenging environments, knowledge, adaptability, and skill save lives.

Why This Course Is Different

Developed in close collaboration with Maternal and Childhealth Advocacy International (MCAI), this online training course is built with low-resource and conflict-affected environments in mind. It’s not just a theoretical introduction—it’s a practical, highly targeted programme designed to get you scanning confidently and safely with whatever equipment you have to hand, wherever you are in the world.

With a focus on essential knowledge and hands-on learning, this course empowers midwives, outreach health workers and clinicians to perform life-saving pregnancy scans—even with minimal resources.
And the best part? It’s all online, expertly structured so you don’t miss a thing.

A Unique Learning Experience

Unlike most ultrasound courses that expect a hospital setting and gloss over real-world constraints, this training embraces them. You’ll be learning from a remarkable team:

• Yvette Lovis – a Clinical Specialist Obstetric Sonographer with years of global training experience, who guides you through each module with clarity and precision.
• Prof David Southall – Consultant Obstetrician in Liberia and Professor of Paediatrics in the UK, who had never used an ultrasound machine before this course. He acts as your study buddy, learning alongside you and demonstrating how to apply techniques as Yvette teaches them.
• Dr Brigid Hayden – Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, who contributes expert insights and context throughout the course.

Together, they demystify ultrasound, focus on what matters in emergency and outreach contexts, and provide candid, behind-the-scenes reflections you simply won’t get elsewhere.

Immersive Learning, No Matter Your Location

You don’t need to be in a classroom to feel like you’re there. Our course uses multiple camera angles, step-by-step demonstrations, and real-time practical scanning to immerse you in the learning process.

From probe handling to portable machine comparisons, you’ll see every detail. You’ll be standing in David’s shoes as he learns, so you can confidently do the same. Whether you’re in a tent hospital or a busy outreach clinic, the goal is simple: get you scanning safely and effectively, fast.

Course Content Overview

Here’s what you can expect:

• Ultrasound 101 – How to handle, care for, and understand the machine and probe
• Demonstration 1: 3rd Trimester Scan
• Demonstration 2: 20 Week Pregnancy Scan
• Demonstration 3: 3rd Trimester Scan using handheld scanner
• Using a Wireless Handheld Ultrasound Scanner – Techniques unique to ultra-portable machines
• Portable Ultrasound Machine Discussion – A frank, practical conversation between Yvette, David and Brigid on choosing the right machine for the right context
• Conclusion Discussion – A final debrief on the vital role of ultrasound in triaging high-risk pregnancies, paired with clinical assessment, especially in humanitarian settings

Affordable, Accessible—and Impactful

Many ultrasound courses come at a high cost, with time-limited access and an overload of theory. In contrast, Ultrasound Training for Obstetric Outreach is:

• Significantly more affordable
• Designed with long-term, practical value in mind
• Packed with direct insights from years of frontline work
• Accessible to individuals and organisations with limited funding

Even better, 100% of profits from this course go directly to MCAI—supporting their vital work with pregnant women in high-risk settings, from Ukraine to Gaza and beyond.

Built for the Real World

The course includes training on a variety of ultrasound devices, from robust laptop-style systems to handheld scanners that can fit in your pocket. These machines are demonstrated and discussed in terms of durability, and usability in the field, and cover a wide range of price points.

When your working conditions are unpredictable, and you may be scanning in the back of a jeep or by torchlight in a tent, it’s critical to know how to get the most out of what’s available. We don’t assume you’ll have the best kit—we show you how to adapt to the type of machine you have to hand.

Designed to Make a Difference

This course was born out of need. MCAI has been working for over 35 years in areas affected by conflict, poverty, and fragile health systems. From that deep experience comes the conviction that targeted training saves lives. Whether in war zones or remote communities, ultrasound can transform care for women and babies- if the people using it are trained to do so effectively.

That’s where this course comes in: simple, pragmatic, expertly led, and developed to be relevant in the toughest settings on earth.

Get in Touch

Interested in the course? Know an organisation that could benefit from this training?
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch—we’d love to hear from you.
And keep an eye out for our next post, where we’ll take a closer look at MCAI’s global work.
Together, we can change outcomes for mothers and babies around the world.