Obstetrics II (Master's Level) Course Outline

A master's-level Obstetrics II course focuses on advanced maternal-fetal medicine, evidence-based practice, management of high-risk pregnancies, obstetric emergencies, and research.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Apply advanced knowledge in maternal and fetal health.

• Diagnose and manage high-risk pregnancies.

• Interpret fetal surveillance findings.

• Manage obstetric emergencies.

• Apply evidence-based clinical guidelines.

• Conduct and evaluate obstetric research.

• Demonstrate leadership in maternal healthcare.

Topic 1: Advanced Maternal Physiology

• Maternal anatomical and physiological adaptations

• Endocrine changes in pregnancy

• Placental physiology

• Immunology of pregnancy

• Pharmacology in pregnancy

• Maternal nutrition and metabolism

Topic 2: Fetal Growth and Development

• Embryology and fetal development

• Placental development

• Fetal circulation

• Fetal physiology

• Fetal growth assessment

• Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR/FGR)

• Macrosomia

Topic 3: Antenatal Care

• Advanced antenatal assessment

• Risk assessment and screening

• Genetic counseling

• Prenatal diagnosis

• Ultrasound in pregnancy

• Doppler studies

• Laboratory investigations

• Antenatal counseling

Topic 4: High-Risk Pregnancy

• Hypertensive disorders

  • Gestational hypertension

  • Preeclampsia

  • Eclampsia

  • HELLP syndrome

• Diabetes in pregnancy

• Cardiac disease

• Renal disorders

• Thyroid disease

• Autoimmune disorders

• HIV/AIDS and pregnancy

• Tuberculosis

• Malaria in pregnancy

• Obesity

• Advanced maternal age

• Adolescent pregnancy

Topic 5: Obstetric Complications

• Miscarriage

• Recurrent pregnancy loss

• Ectopic pregnancy

• Gestational trophoblastic disease

• Placenta previa

• Placental abruption

• Placenta accreta spectrum

• Preterm labor

• Premature rupture of membranes

• Multiple pregnancy

• Polyhydramnios

• Oligohydramnios

Topic 6: Intrapartum Care

• Physiology of labor

• Induction of labor

• Augmentation of labor

• Monitoring labor using the partograph

• Electronic fetal monitoring (CTG)

• Instrumental vaginal delivery

• Cesarean section

• Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)

• Pain management in labor

• Shoulder dystocia

• Breech delivery

Topic 7: Obstetric Emergencies

• Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)

• Massive obstetric hemorrhage

• Uterine rupture

• Cord prolapse

• Amniotic fluid embolism

• Uterine inversion

• Maternal collapse

• Sepsis

• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

• Obstetric shock

Topic 8: Maternal-Fetal Medicine

• Fetal surveillance

• Biophysical profile

• Non-stress test (NST)

• Contraction stress test (CST)

• Doppler velocimetry

• Fetal anomalies

• Congenital infections

• Rh isoimmunization

• Fetal therapy

• Intrauterine transfusion

Topic 9: Operative Obstetrics

• Cesarean section techniques

• Forceps delivery

• Vacuum extraction

• Episiotomy

• Perineal trauma repair

• Surgical management of PPH

• Obstetric hysterectomy

Topic 10: Postpartum Care

• Physiological changes after birth

• Breastfeeding medicine

• Lactation management

• Postpartum depression

• Postpartum psychosis

• Venous thromboembolism

• Family planning after childbirth

• Postnatal follow-up

Topic 11: Neonatal Care

• Neonatal adaptation

• Neonatal resuscitation

• Care of the preterm infant

• Low birth weight

• Neonatal jaundice

• Neonatal infection

• Birth asphyxia

• Congenital anomalies

Topic 12: Reproductive Health

• Family planning

• Infertility

• Assisted reproductive technologies

• Recurrent miscarriage

• Menopause

• Women's reproductive rights

Topic 13: Ethics and Legal Issues

• Informed consent

• Maternal autonomy

• Confidentiality

• Professional ethics

• Medico-legal issues in obstetrics

• Documentation

• Clinical governance

Topic 14: Research and Evidence-Based Practice

• Research methodology

• Epidemiology

• Biostatistics

• Critical appraisal of literature

• Clinical audits

• Guideline development

• Systematic reviews

• Dissertation/project preparation

Topic 15: Leadership and Quality Improvement

• Clinical leadership

• Maternal mortality review

• Near-miss audit

• Patient safety

• Quality improvement methods

• Health systems strengthening

• Interprofessional collaboration

Clinical Skills

Students are expected to become proficient in:

• Comprehensive antenatal assessment

• Obstetric ultrasound interpretation

• Fetal heart monitoring (CTG)

• Labor management

• Vacuum-assisted delivery

• Forceps delivery

• Cesarean section assistance

• Management of postpartum hemorrhage

• Management of eclampsia

• Neonatal resuscitation

• Perineal repair

• Management of obstetric emergencies

• Counseling and communication

Assessment Methods

• Written examinations (MCQs, SAQs, essays)

• Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

• Case presentations

• Clinical logbook

• Research proposal

• Dissertation or thesis

• Journal club presentations

• Clinical viva voce

• Practical skills assessment

Expected Learning Outcomes

Graduates should be able to:

• Provide advanced, evidence-based obstetric care.

• Manage complex maternal and fetal conditions.

• Perform and supervise advanced obstetric procedures.

• Lead multidisciplinary maternity teams.

• Interpret research and apply evidence to practice.

• Design and conduct maternal health research.

• Contribute to improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes through quality improvement and leadership.