ABPS Family Medicine Obstetrics study guide
ABPS Family Medicine Obstetrics · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ABPS Family Medicine Obstetrics (FMOB) certification is a board credential for family physicians who deliver babies and want their obstetric practice formally recognized beyond residency training. It signals that a physician has demonstrated knowledge across the full continuum of pregnancy care: prenatal management, labor and delivery, operative and procedural skills, postpartum and lactation care, medical complications, emergencies, and the ethical and systems issues that surround obstetric practice. The ABPS Family Medicine Obstetrics study guide has 10 sections and about 2,148 words.
01Maternal-Fetal Medicine and High-Risk Obstetric Care
High-risk care begins with risk stratification : maternal age, parity, prior obstetric history, chronic disease, and current pregnancy complications. Know the categories of hypertensive disease (chronic, gestational, preeclampsia with and without severe features, superimposed preeclampsia, eclampsia) and the criteria that define severe features (severe-range BP, thrombocytopenia, transaminase elevation, renal insufficiency, pulmonary edema, new cerebral or visual symptoms).
268 words, about 1 min02Antepartum Care and Prenatal Diagnosis
Routine prenatal care is a schedule of visits, screenings, and education. Know the standard prenatal screening timeline : first-trimester combined screening (nuchal translucency, PAPP-A, free beta-hCG) at 11–14 weeks; cell-free DNA from 10 weeks; second-trimester quad or maternal serum screen at 15–22 weeks; anatomy survey at 18–22 weeks; gestational diabetes screening at 24–28 weeks; group B streptococcus at 36–37 weeks.
227 words, about 1 min03Intrapartum Care and Labor Management
Labor management rests on stages of labor , fetal heart rate interpretation, and dystocia management. Know the updated definitions: active-phase arrest is no cervical change for at least 6 hours with ruptured membranes and adequate contractions (or 6 hours with inadequate contractions despite oxytocin).
238 words, about 1 min04Postpartum Care and Lactation
Postpartum care covers hemorrhage prevention and recognition , infection, mood disorders, contraception, and lactation support. Understand the causes of postpartum hemorrhage (the four T's: tone, trauma, tissue, thrombin) and the stepwise uterotonic approach (oxytocin, then methylergonovine, carboprost, misoprostol) with contraindications (methylergonovine in hypertension; carboprost in asthma).
201 words, about 1 min05Obstetric Procedures and Operative Delivery
This domain covers cesarean delivery indications and technique , operative vaginal delivery, episiotomy, and procedures such as cerclage, external cephalic version, and amniotomy. Know absolute and relative cesarean indications (placenta previa, prior classical cesarean, malpresentation, arrest disorders, nonreassuring fetal status).
214 words, about 1 min06Medical Complications of Pregnancy
Chronic medical conditions interact with pregnancy physiology. Know diabetes (preconception counseling, target A1c, fetal surveillance, delivery timing), thyroid disease (levothyroxine dose often increases in pregnancy; treat hypothyroidism to avoid fetal harm), cardiac disease (most common acquired is rheumatic; highest risk lesions include pulmonary hypertension and Eisenmenger), epilepsy (avoid valproate; continue appropriate anticonvulsants), and venous thromboembolism (pregnancy is prothrombotic; low-molecular-weight heparin is preferred).
199 words, under 1 min07Obstetric Emergencies and Critical Care
Obstetric emergencies require rapid recognition and team response. Know shoulder dystocia (McRoberts maneuver, suprapubic pressure, then internal maneuvers; avoid fundal pressure), umbilical cord prolapse (elevate presenting part, knee-chest or Trendelenburg, immediate delivery), placental abruption (painful bleeding, uterine tenderness, fetal distress; manage with resuscitation and delivery), placenta previa (painless bleeding; avoid digital examination), uterine rupture (sudden pain, loss of station, fetal bradycardia), and amniotic fluid embolism (sudden collapse, hypoxia, coagulopathy).
190 words, under 1 min08Infectious Disease and Immunization in Pregnancy
Know vaccine recommendations in pregnancy: inactivated influenza vaccine and Tdap (each pregnancy, 27–36 weeks) and RSV vaccine timing per current guidance; live vaccines (MMR, varicella) are contraindicated. Understand group B streptococcus screening and intrapartum prophylaxis (penicillin; alternatives for allergy).
195 words, under 1 min09Genetics, Teratology, and Medication Safety in Pregnancy
Understand inheritance patterns (autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, X-linked) and common aneuploidies (trisomy 21, 18, 13; sex chromosome differences). Know the critical periods of teratogenesis (organogenesis in the first trimester) and classic teratogens: isotretinoin, warfarin, valproate, carbamazepine, methotrexate, ACE inhibitors/ARBs, and tetracyclines.
198 words, under 1 min10Ethics, Professionalism, and Health Systems in Obstetric Practice
This domain addresses informed consent , shared decision-making, confidentiality, and resource stewardship. Understand that pregnant patients retain autonomy; refusal of recommended care (including cesarean or transfusion) must be respected after informed discussion, with documentation and escalation to ethics consultation when conflict arises.
218 words, about 1 min