More than 30 healthcare professionals gathered for the LOVE Approach Ultrasound Clinical (LAUC) in Birmingham, Ala., in conjunction with the 2025 Heartbeat International Pregnancy Help Conference. The group of medical professionals was comprised of nurse practitioners, nurses, and sonographers.
Heartbeat International has championed a new form of ultrasound training that connects the technical and spiritual needs of those working in pregnancy help.
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The training is held in two parts.
First, students complete an online ultrasound training through Heartbeat International’s Academy, which meets the Association of Women's Health Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) guidelines for didactic training, as well as completing 25 OB prerequisite scans to prepare for the in-person training.
Then students come on-site to participate in an in-person scan lab experience with one-on-one instruction from educators who are also sonographers credentialed in RDMS (OB/GYN) and RNs who have multiple years of experience imaging in pregnancy help clinics.
Combining the technical, practical, and spiritual elements into one pregnancy help medical training means trainees will work towards becoming equipped, qualified, and ready to scan within their center.
The focus of the clinical event is on repetition and volume, along with spiritual encouragement and reinforcement of techniques and knowledge gained from the didactic training.
Those offering scans in pregnancy help medical clinics have the distinct honor of introducing a new mother to her baby for the very first time and we want to do that with excellence and with compassion.
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Those who attend our events go back into their communities empowered to save and change lives. And the retention rate of those who complete training is fantastic. Because those who complete our training are prepared for the spiritual aspect of their work, 97% continue to work at a pregnancy help medical clinic for at least six months after attending an LAUC.
Each attendee at the Birmingham LAUC performed 140 scans, including ultrasound with pregnant models, phantom models, and computer-generated ultrasound. The advanced technology utilized in the event permits attendees to scan various pathologies and gestational ages not always available with live models.
In 18 events held quarterly in the last four years, Heartbeat has trained 380 healthcare professionals, including physicians, sonographers, midwives, nurse practitioners, and nurses.
Our team has seen the impact of ultrasound firsthand and know how it provides valuable information to women who are considering their pregnancy choices.
Here is one account where a LAUC Birmingham nurse’s first scan was an Abortion Pill Reversal client:
I got back from the LAUC training Saturday, and this morning my clinic got our first call from the APR hotline about beginning the process for a client in my area. By the end of the day today she began APR and I confirmed a LIVE 11-week pregnancy as my first scan on my own after LAUC! God is so good!
Another account from an LAUC Birmingham attendee had her discovering an ectopic pregnancy for a client.
Here are quotes from Birmingham LAUC attendees when they were asked what surprised them about the clinical:
Speed of things - At first I wasn’t sure I could keep up but grew to like it and see how it works. I’m so much more confident.
I’m doing better than I thought I could at this point. So encouraging.
How sweet everyone was.
Spiritual elements - reminded continually to remember your calling.
Love the circuit training. I learned with this method so well.
Positive affirmation- blessed and encouraged that the trainers always found the good in what we were doing & were gentle in correction when needed. And they loved on us with every scan.
Instructors encouraged us. Integrated spiritual part- it was always there for us.
Reassurance and spiritual component - encouragement from trainers. Reminded always that we are here for a purpose.
The sense of absolute peace I feel as I go back - we are ready!
How training is organized - many things to do. Never boring.
How many instructors- I expected just a couple and you bring a big team to teach us. It’s great to hear from so many people each with tips and I appreciate all of their help.
How many ectopics we were able to scan - all the different types of learning - This training changed how I look at the screen and the order I will scan.
Encouragement and support - how to combat the negative talk was emphasized and I understand the spiritual battles I will face.
Diversity of training exercises was excellent.
No stress - this was so much more spiritual and relaxed than I expected it to be.
The way it was setup was so great - learning methods were so helpful.
Peace of the event, how organized it was.
I was surprised there was so much I still had to learn and how the Lord spoke to me through the event.
Fast pace and diversity of the training. The number of live models.
Fast pace - helped your brain really get the concepts quickly. No boredom.
How all the pieces came together just like you said they would.
Encouragement completely changed the environment - made all the difference.
Trainers knew exactly what to say when I needed to hear it.
My nurse manager was right - trust the process and it works. I finished encouraged and ready to put into practice.
Nurses are not used to encouragement and there was so much throughout the online training as well as the event.
Grace that was shown - didn’t just look for what’s wrong but also look for what was good the scan.
Surprised I’m so sad to leave.
The doughnut demonstration changed my life. All the encouragement. I was so scared - this absolutely built my confidence.
Sense of community - all of us are doing the same things and have the same concerns.
Able to share my heart and connect with the whole group.
So impressed with the didactic as a sonographer couldn’t believe how in depth it was.
Different stations and the amount of technology that was used to teach.
Great job by team - didactic was also excellent. All components work together - 10 stars!
Editor's note: Heartbeat International manages the Abortion Pill Rescue® Network (APRN) and Pregnancy Help News. Heartbeat is currently the subject of two lawsuits brought by state AGs concerning sharing information on Abortion Pill Reversal.
