ABPS Family Medicine Obstetrics study plan
ABPS Family Medicine Obstetrics · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Maternal-Fetal Medicine and High-Risk Obstetric Care
List the diagnostic criteria for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (gestational hypertension, preeclampsia without and with severe features, eclampsia, HELLP) from memory
Differentiate the management thresholds for severe vs non-severe preeclampsia, including magnesium sulfate indications and antihypertensive triggers
Outline a monitoring plan for a pregnancy complicated by pregestational diabetes, including glucose targets and fetal surveillance timing
Describe the classification and initial management approach to placenta previa, placenta accreta spectrum, and placental abruption
Your checkpoint
A one-page comparison table of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with criteria, severe features, and first-line management for each
Maternal-Fetal Medicine and High-Risk Obstetric Care & Medical Complications of Pregnancy
Explain the pathophysiology and management of preterm labor, including tocolytic options and antenatal corticosteroid timing
Compare fetal growth restriction definitions and describe surveillance and delivery timing decisions
Integrate medical complications (cardiac disease, thyroid disease, epilepsy) into prenatal counseling and delivery planning
Identify which maternal conditions mandate delivery at a higher-level facility and justify the referral
Your checkpoint
Two written case vignettes (preterm labor; medical complication in pregnancy) each with a management plan and delivery-timing rationale
Antepartum Care and Prenatal Diagnosis
Construct a standard prenatal visit schedule and list the components of each trimester's visit
Select and interpret routine antepartum screening tests (aneuploidy screening, glucose tolerance testing, group B streptococcus, infectious disease panels)
Describe the indications, limits, and timing of first-trimester and second-trimester ultrasound and aneuploidy screening options
Counsel a patient on the difference between screening and diagnostic testing for fetal aneuploidy
Your checkpoint
A prenatal care checklist organized by gestational age with the indicated screening test, timing window, and follow-up action for each item
Intrapartum Care and Labor Management
Interpret fetal heart rate tracings using a standardized category system and state the required response for each category
Describe the stages and phases of labor with expected cervical change and descent benchmarks
List indications for and steps of operative vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery, including consent elements
Explain the management of shoulder dystocia and postpartum hemorrhage using a structured maneuver sequence
Your checkpoint
A fetal heart rate interpretation worksheet applied to five written tracing descriptions, each with a category assignment and next action
Intrapartum Care and Labor Management & Obstetric Procedures and Operative Delivery
Demonstrate the sequence of maneuvers for shoulder dystocia and the steps for manual removal of a retained placenta
Outline induction of labor methods, indications, and Bishop score interpretation
Describe perineal laceration classification and repair principles, including third- and fourth-degree injuries
Explain cesarean delivery technique, postoperative orders, and counseling on trial of labor after cesarean
Your checkpoint
A written procedural script for shoulder dystocia and perineal laceration repair, including each step and the rationale
Postpartum Care and Lactation & Infectious Disease and Immunization in Pregnancy
Counsel on postpartum hemorrhage prevention, uterine atony management, and retained products of conception
Describe normal postpartum recovery, warning signs, and postpartum visit content including contraception and mood screening
List recommended immunizations in pregnancy and the postpartum period with timing and contraindications
Explain prevention and management of group B streptococcus, listeria, and common perinatal infections
Your checkpoint
A postpartum and lactation counseling handout covering warning signs, contraception options, mood screening, and vaccine recommendations
Obstetric Emergencies and Critical Care & Genetics, Teratology, and Medication Safety in Pregnancy
Sequence the response to obstetric emergencies: maternal cardiac arrest, eclampsia, anaphylaxis, and massive hemorrhage
Apply a teratogen risk framework to common medication classes (anticonvulsants, ACE inhibitors, warfarin, isotretinoin, SSRIs)
Describe when to refer for genetic counseling and which testing modality to recommend for common indications
Explain the ethical and legal framework for emergency consent, informed refusal, and reporting obligations
Your checkpoint
A one-page emergency response algorithm card covering maternal cardiac arrest and eclampsia, plus a teratogen quick-reference list
Ethics, Professionalism, and Health Systems in Obstetric Practice & Maternal-Fetal Medicine and High-Risk Obstetric Care & Antepartum Care and Prenatal Diagnosis & Intrapartum Care and Labor Management & Postpartum Care and Lactation & Obstetric Procedures and Operative Delivery & Medical Complications of Pregnancy & Obstetric Emergencies and Critical Care & Infectious Disease and Immunization in Pregnancy & Genetics, Teratology, and Medication Safety in Pregnancy
Synthesize all domains through timed mixed-topic practice questions and categorize errors by domain
Review and correct the weakest three domains based on practice-question performance
Rehearse a full counseling conversation on informed consent for cesarean delivery, including risks, benefits, and alternatives
Finalize a personal test-day strategy covering pacing, question triage, and review of flagged items
Your checkpoint
A scored practice exam summary with an error log by domain and a written remediation plan for the three weakest areas
Milestones
Week 2: Can state the criteria and first-line management for all hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and has a written plan for a medical-complication case without reference material
Week 4: Correctly categorizes all five practice fetal heart rate tracings and names the appropriate next action for each
Week 6: Delivers a complete postpartum counseling handout and can list pregnancy and postpartum vaccine recommendations from memory
Week 8: Completes a timed mixed-domain practice exam, documents domain-level accuracy, and identifies three targeted remediation areas