ABOG Maternal-Fetal Medicine study guide
ABOG Maternal-Fetal Medicine · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ABOG Maternal-Fetal Medicine subspecialty certifying examination is the assessment through which the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology certifies physicians who have completed MFM fellowship training and hold primary certification in obstetrics and gynecology. It is intended for fellowship graduates entering subspecialty practice and for established specialists who must maintain subspecialty certification. The ABOG Maternal-Fetal Medicine study guide has 10 sections and about 2,995 words.
01Maternal Medical Complications of Pregnancy
The candidate must be fluent in how pregnancy alters physiology and how that alteration changes the diagnosis and management of chronic disease. Know the hemodynamic changes of pregnancy (30–50% plasma volume expansion, dilutional anemia, fall in systemic vascular resistance, increased cardiac output), the hypercoagulable state, and the renal changes (increased GFR, lower normal creatinine, glucosuria/proteinuria thresholds).
340 words, about 2 min02Fetal Complications and Fetal Therapy
This domain tests understanding of fetal pathophysiology, surveillance, and the indications and limits of intervention. Know fetal growth restriction definitions (estimated fetal weight below the 10th centile) and the distinction between constitutionally small and pathologically growth-restricted fetuses using umbilical artery Doppler, cerebroplacental ratio, and growth velocity.
323 words, about 2 min03Obstetric Complications and Intrapartum Management
Know the mechanics and management of labor, including the partogram and definitions of labor protraction and arrest, the indications and techniques for operative vaginal delivery , and the management of shoulder dystocia , postpartum hemorrhage , and uterine rupture . Understand malpresentation (breech, transverse lie) and the role of external cephalic version.
299 words, about 1 min04Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetics
Understand aneuploidy screening : first-trimester combined screening, cell-free DNA, and the difference between screening and diagnostic testing. Know the indications for chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis , their timing, and their procedure-related loss rates.
295 words, about 1 min05Ultrasound and Fetal Imaging
Know the components of the standard obstetric ultrasound at each trimester, including dating, anatomy survey, and growth assessment. Understand Doppler applications: umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, ductus venosus, and uterine artery.
303 words, about 2 min06Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy
Understand the TORCH infections and their prenatal implications, but recognize that the mnemonic is a starting point, not a complete list. Know group B streptococcus screening and prophylaxis, HIV management to prevent vertical transmission, syphilis screening and treatment, hepatitis B and C implications, and varicella and rubella immunity.
308 words, about 2 min07Critical Care and Obstetric Emergencies
Know the physiologic changes that alter critical care management in pregnancy: increased oxygen consumption, decreased functional residual capacity, compensated respiratory alkalosis, and increased cardiac output. Understand airway management challenges (edema, aspiration risk, difficult intubation) and the importance of left uterine displacement .
297 words, about 1 min08Obstetric Anesthesia and Analgesia
Understand the physiologic changes affecting anesthesia: increased epidural venous plexus engorgement, decreased local anesthetic requirements, aspiration risk, and airway edema. Know the indications, contraindications, and complications of neuraxial analgesia (epidural, spinal, combined spinal-epidural).
286 words, about 1 min09Research Methods, Statistics, and Evidence-Based Practice
Understand study design : randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional studies, and their strengths and limitations. Know measures of association : relative risk, odds ratio, absolute risk reduction, number needed to treat, and their interpretation.
272 words, about 1 min10Professionalism, Ethics, and Patient Safety
Understand the principles of informed consent , including capacity, voluntariness, disclosure, and comprehension. Know the ethical principles of beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice and how they apply to obstetric decision-making.
272 words, about 1 min