What this area covers
RANZCOG runs certificate programs in women's health for GPs and other doctors, with written assessment. Check the RANZCOG Certificate and Procedural Examinations page for current formats and dates. This page is for GPs and junior doctors completing a RANZCOG women's health certificate.
High-yield topics
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Booking visit | Bloods, dating, folic acid, iodine |
| Screening | Aneuploidy, OGTT at 24 to 28 weeks |
| Vaccines | Influenza, pertussis, RSV |
| Postnatal check | Mood, contraception, pelvic floor |
| Breastfeeding | Support and common problems |
Worked example
Worked question · Antenatal
When is pertussis vaccine recommended in pregnancy?
- A 20 to 32 weeks
- B Only after birth
- C Before conception only
- D At 38 weeks only
- E Never in pregnancy
Show the reasoning
Answer A. A dose is recommended in each pregnancy, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks.
A short study plan
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Core guidance |
| 2 | Common presentations |
| 3 | Timed questions and review |
Do a short timed set most days and review every explanation, including the options you ruled out.
Common traps
- Using outdated screening intervals.
- Missing contraindications.
- Not safety-netting.
Free sample antenatal and postnatal care questions
Questions from our Women's health bank. Choose your answer, then open the explanation.
At the first antenatal visit at 9 weeks, which blood tests are routinely recommended for all women?
- ANo tests until the 20-week scan
- BOnly blood group
- COnly a glucose tolerance test
- DFBC, group, rubella, syphilis, HIV, hep B and C
- EThyroid antibodies, vitamin B12 and vitamin D only, with no infection screen
Show answer and explanation
Answer D. Routine first-visit tests include FBC, blood group and red cell antibodies, rubella immunity, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C serology, plus urine culture for asymptomatic bacteriuria. Other tests depend on risk (for example early glucose testing, vitamin D, TSH).
Learning point: First antenatal visit: FBC, group and antibodies, rubella, syphilis, HIV, hep B and C, urine culture.
A pregnant woman smokes 15 cigarettes a day. Counselling alone has not worked. What is an appropriate pharmacological option?
- ANo option exists in pregnancy
- BNicotine replacement therapy
- CBupropion
- DSwitch to e-cigarettes as proven safe
- EVarenicline
Show answer and explanation
Answer B. Nicotine replacement therapy can be used in pregnancy when behavioural support alone is not enough; intermittent forms (gum, lozenge) are often preferred, and patches can be removed at night. Varenicline and bupropion are not recommended. E-cigarettes are not proven safe.
Learning point: Smoking in pregnancy: NRT (intermittent forms or daytime patch) after behavioural support.
Ten minutes after a vaginal birth, a woman is losing heavy bright red blood. The uterus feels soft and boggy. What is the first action?
- AArrange an outpatient ultrasound
- BGive oral iron tablets
- CLie her flat and give paracetamol only
- DRub the uterus and give oxytocin
- EWait 30 minutes to see if bleeding settles on its own
Show answer and explanation
Answer D. Uterine atony is the most common cause of postpartum haemorrhage (the four Ts: tone, trauma, tissue, thrombin). Call for help, rub up a contraction (fundal massage), give uterotonics (oxytocin, then ergometrine or others), empty the bladder, and give IV tranexamic acid early.
Learning point: PPH: call for help, fundal massage, oxytocin, empty bladder, tranexamic acid; think the four Ts.
Practise more antenatal and postnatal care questions free
Every antenatal and postnatal care subtopic in our bank
The bank holds 40 antenatal and postnatal care questions across 40 subtopics. You can filter by any of them, build a custom block and track your accuracy subtopic by subtopic.
- Alcohol in pregnancy1
- Anti-D prophylaxis1
- Antihypertensives in pregnancy1
- Breastfeeding and medicines1
- Breastfeeding difficulties1
- Breastfeeding mastitis1
- Caesarean and future births1
- First antenatal visit bloods1
- GDM diagnostic thresholds1
- Gestational diabetes screening1
- Glucose testing after GDM1
- Group B streptococcus1
- Iron deficiency in pregnancy1
- Lactational amenorrhoea method1
- Medicines in pregnancy1
- Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy1
- Neonatal vitamin K1
- Newborn hearing and screening1
- Pelvic floor after birth1
- Perinatal anxiety support1
- Perineal tears1
- Pertussis vaccine1
- Placenta praevia1
- Postnatal check timing1
- Postnatal contraception1
- Postnatal depression screening1
- Postnatal hypertension1
- Postpartum haemorrhage first steps1
- Postpartum thyroiditis1
- Pre-eclampsia prevention1
- Prenatal screening1
- Prolonged labour signs1
- Reduced fetal movements advice1
- RSV vaccine in pregnancy1
- Sleep position in late pregnancy1
- Smoking in pregnancy1
- Sudden unexpected death in infancy prevention1
- Third stage management1
- Thyroid in pregnancy1
- Varicella exposure in pregnancy1
Common questions
Who runs the certificates?
RANZCOG runs its women's health certificate programs; check its website for current details.
Is this relevant to GPs?
Yes. The topics reflect everyday general practice.
Sources
Clinical content is summarised from current Australian guidance at the date above. Guidelines change, so always check the latest edition.