This document provides recommendations regarding the appropriate use of point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) in obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) in various clinical scenarios encountered by different healthcare professionals (e.g. emergency physicians, obstetrician-gynecologists, midwives, residents and family physicians). The target population consists of patients with Ob/Gyn complications or those needing an interventional procedure for which an immediate bedside sonographic evaluation is helpful.
The integration of PoCUS has transformed clinical practice by offering an affordable, portable and directly accessible diagnostic tool for bedside use. PoCUS has proved particularly valuable in low-resource settings, where access to advanced equipment and highly trained operators is limited. Although well-designed studies on the effectiveness of PoCUS in Ob/Gyn are scarce, interest in its use has grown in high-income countries due to its potential to expedite care, improve provider confidence and reduce patient anxiety. However, international guidelines are needed to standardize its applications and clarify its benefits and limitations in Ob/Gyn, ensuring optimal patient outcomes across different healthcare settings worldwide.
Access the new ISUOG Practice Guidelines on point-of-care ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology here.