1. The goals of first trimester ultrasound include visualization of the gestational sac, identification of embryonic demise, determination of gestational age, and early diagnosis of fetal anomalies.
2. A normal intrauterine gestation will demonstrate a gestational sac, yolk sac, embryo, amnion, and cardiac activity on ultrasound. Measurement of the mean sac diameter, crown-rump length, and biometric measurements can be used to estimate gestational age.
3. Absence of cardiac activity along with signs of bleeding have a high probability of embryonic demise. Criteria such as large sac size without visualizing fetal structures indicate a poor pregnancy outcome.