International Academy of Obstetrics & Gynecology
International Academy of Obstetrics & Gynecology
(Établissement d’Enseignement Supérieur Privé)
Division of the Institute of Pharmacy, Paris
2, Square de Robiac 75007 Paris, France
Master of Science (MSc) in Obstetrics & Gynecology
(Diplôme Supérieur en Obstétrique et Gynécologie)
OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY CURRICULUM
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The International Academy of Obstetrics & Gynecology presents a complete 84-unit didactic curriculum designed to meet the educational requirements set forth under California Business & Professions Code §2512.5 for the Midwifery Challenge Mechanism. The curriculum spans 21 courses across 6 academic categories, totaling 1,260 didactic contact hours at 15 contact hours per semester unit.
COURSE CATALOG
| Course Number | Course Title | Category | Semester Units | Contact Hours |
| OB/GYN-1 | Advanced Human Anatomy for Reproductive Health | Biomedical Sciences | 3 | 45 |
| OB/GYN-2 | Reproductive & Pregnancy Physiology | Biomedical Sciences | 3 | 45 |
| OB/GYN-3 | Embryology & Fetal Development | Biomedical Sciences | 3 | 45 |
| OB/GYN-4 | Medical Genetics & Prenatal Screening | Biomedical Sciences | 3 | 45 |
| OB/GYN-5 | Applied Microbiology & Infectious Disease in Pregnancy | Biomedical Sciences | 3 | 45 |
| OB/GYN-6 | Biochemistry & Maternal Nutrition | Biomedical Sciences | 3 | 45 |
| OB/GYN-7 | Obstetrics I – Normal Pregnancy & Antenatal Care | Core Midwifery Clinical Sciences | 8 | 120 |
| OB/GYN-8 | Obstetrics II – Labor, Birth & Immediate Care | Core Midwifery Clinical Sciences | 8 | 120 |
| OB/GYN-9 | Obstetrics III – Complications & Maternal–Fetal Medicine | Core Midwifery Clinical Sciences | 8 | 120 |
| OB/GYN-10 | Obstetrics IV – Postpartum & Lactation Care | Core Midwifery Clinical Sciences | 6 | 90 |
| OB/GYN-11 | Neonatology & Newborn Assessment | Neonatal & Child Health | 4 | 60 |
| OB/GYN-12 | Neonatal Resuscitation & Stabilization | Neonatal & Child Health | 3 | 45 |
| OB/GYN-13 | Infant Growth & Child Development | Neonatal & Child Health | 3 | 45 |
| OB/GYN-14 | Gynecology & Reproductive Endocrinology | Gynecology & Reproductive Health | 5 | 75 |
| OB/GYN-15 | Women’s Preventive Health | Gynecology & Reproductive Health | 4 | 60 |
| OB/GYN-16 | Medical Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology | Diagnostic & Therapeutic Skills | 4 | 60 |
| OB/GYN-17 | Pharmacology for Midwifery | Diagnostic & Therapeutic Skills | 4 | 60 |
| OB/GYN-18 | Emergency Obstetrics | Diagnostic & Therapeutic Skills | 3 | 45 |
| OB/GYN-19 | Midwifery Ethics, Law & Professional Standards | Professional Practice | 3 | 45 |
| OB/GYN-20 | Communication & Cultural Competence | Professional Practice | 2 | 30 |
| OB/GYN-21 | Public Health & Epidemiology | Professional Practice | 1 | 15 |
| TOTAL | 84 | 1,260 |
EXPANDED COURSE CATALOG DESCRIPTIONS
Category: Biomedical Sciences | Semester Units: 3 | Contact Hours: 45
This course provides a rigorous exploration of human anatomy as it pertains to the reproductive system, pregnancy, and childbirth. Students examine the structural organization of the female pelvis, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina, perineum, and associated vasculature and innervation. Special emphasis is placed on pelvic floor musculature, the bony pelvis and its obstetric diameters, and anatomical variations relevant to labor mechanics. The course integrates gross anatomy with histology and imaging interpretation (X-ray, MRI, ultrasound), enabling students to correlate normal anatomical landmarks with pathological findings. Students analyze the fetal skull, fontanelles, and sutures and their relationship to fetal presentation and station during labor. By course completion, students will apply anatomical knowledge to clinical reasoning in antenatal assessment, intrapartum monitoring, and postpartum evaluation. Prerequisite: undergraduate biology or equivalent.
Category: Biomedical Sciences | Semester Units: 3 | Contact Hours: 45
This course covers the physiological adaptations that occur across the reproductive lifespan, from puberty through menopause, with a concentrated focus on pregnancy. Students explore the neuroendocrine axis governing the menstrual cycle—GnRH, LH, FSH, estrogen, progesterone—and the hormonal cascade that supports implantation and embryonic development. Detailed study is given to the hemodynamic, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and immunological changes of pregnancy. Topics include plasma volume expansion, physiologic anemia of pregnancy, increased cardiac output, respiratory alkalosis, renal hyperfiltration, and immune tolerance of the semi-allogeneic fetus. Placental physiology—gas exchange, nutrient transfer, hormone synthesis—is thoroughly examined. Students learn to distinguish normal physiologic changes from pathologic processes. Competency in applying these concepts to clinical scenarios, including antenatal counseling and monitoring, is assessed through case presentations and written examinations.
Category: Biomedical Sciences | Semester Units: 3 | Contact Hours: 45
This course traces human development from fertilization through term, integrating classical embryology with contemporary molecular and genetic perspectives. Students study gametogenesis, fertilization, cleavage, blastocyst formation, implantation, and the formation of the three primary germ layers. Organogenesis is examined system by system, with attention to critical periods of vulnerability and teratogen exposure. Placentation and amniogenesis are covered in depth, including the development of the umbilical cord and fetal membranes. The course addresses fetal growth and maturation, biometric parameters (BPD, FL, AC, HC), and the physiological basis of fetal surveillance tools such as biophysical profile and Doppler velocimetry. Common congenital anomalies are linked to specific developmental errors, providing a foundation for prenatal counseling. Students also examine the transition from fetal to neonatal circulation at birth.
Category: Biomedical Sciences | Semester Units: 3 | Contact Hours: 45
Students in this course acquire the genetic literacy necessary to counsel patients regarding hereditary conditions, chromosomal disorders, and the spectrum of prenatal screening and diagnostic options. Mendelian inheritance patterns—autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, X-linked—are reviewed alongside multifactorial and mitochondrial inheritance. The human karyotype, chromosomal abnormalities (trisomies, monosomies, deletions, translocations), and their clinical presentations are studied. First-trimester combined screening (nuchal translucency, PAPP-A, free ß-hCG), cell-free DNA (cfDNA/NIPT), quad screen, and anomaly ultrasound are analyzed with respect to sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value. Diagnostic procedures—CVS, amniocentesis—are explained including procedural risks. Students practice pedigree analysis, interpret screening reports, and rehearse non-directive genetic counseling conversations consistent with patient autonomy and informed consent principles.
Category: Biomedical Sciences | Semester Units: 3 | Contact Hours: 45
This course addresses the microbiology and pathophysiology of infections that complicate pregnancy and the peripartum period. Bacterial pathogens—Group B Streptococcus, Listeria monocytogenes, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Treponema pallidum—are studied with respect to transmission, maternal-fetal outcomes, and evidence-based screening and treatment protocols. Viral infections covered include HIV, hepatitis B and C, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, rubella, varicella-zoster, toxoplasmosis, and the TORCH complex. The course also addresses emerging infectious threats (Zika, COVID-19) and their obstetric implications. Antibiotic pharmacokinetics in pregnancy, safe drug classifications, and the principles of vertical transmission prevention are emphasized. Students develop clinical algorithms for screening, diagnosis, and management of infections, and they practice patient education around infectious disease risk reduction.
Category: Biomedical Sciences | Semester Units: 3 | Contact Hours: 45
This course integrates biochemical principles with the nutritional demands of reproduction and pregnancy. Students review carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism, the TCA cycle, and the biochemistry of vitamins and minerals, then analyze how these processes are modified during pregnancy and lactation. Special attention is given to folate and neural tube defect prevention, iron homeostasis and gestational anemia, calcium metabolism and fetal skeletal development, omega-3 fatty acids and neurodevelopment, and iodine sufficiency for fetal thyroid function. Gestational diabetes mellitus is examined through the lens of insulin signaling, glucose transporter physiology, and placental glucose transfer. Students learn to interpret standard laboratory values in the context of pregnancy-specific reference ranges. Practical content includes nutritional assessment tools, dietary counseling frameworks, and guidance on supplementation for diverse patient populations including vegetarian, vegan, and food-insecure individuals.
Category: Core Midwifery Clinical Sciences | Semester Units: 8 | Contact Hours: 120
This foundational clinical science course establishes comprehensive competency in the management of normal, low-risk pregnancy. Students learn to confirm pregnancy, calculate gestational age by last menstrual period and first-trimester ultrasound, and establish an estimated due date. The structured antenatal schedule—initial intake, trimester-specific visits, and late-pregnancy assessments—is covered in detail. Students develop skills in obstetric history-taking, physical examination including fundal height measurement and Leopold maneuvers, and interpretation of standard prenatal laboratory panels. Topics include physiologic discomforts of pregnancy and evidence-based management, fetal movement counting, antenatal education, birth planning, and informed consent. Students apply risk stratification frameworks to identify patients who require consultation or transfer of care. Cultural humility and trauma-informed approaches to antenatal care are integrated throughout the course. Simulation laboratory sessions supplement didactic content.
Category: Core Midwifery Clinical Sciences | Semester Units: 8 | Contact Hours: 120
This course provides a detailed examination of normal labor and birth, from the onset of labor through the fourth stage of labor and immediate postpartum assessment. Students study the mechanisms of labor—engagement, descent, flexion, internal rotation, extension, external rotation, and expulsion—and apply these to multiparous and nulliparous labor patterns. The Bishop score, cervical ripening, and the pharmacological and mechanical agents used in induction are reviewed. Intrapartum fetal surveillance—EFM interpretation, category I-II-III classification, intrauterine resuscitation—is studied in depth alongside intermittent auscultation protocols. Pain management options including non-pharmacological support (hydrotherapy, positioning, continuous labor support) and pharmacological approaches (opioids, nitrous oxide, neuraxial analgesia) are compared. Management of the second stage, perineal support techniques, episiotomy rationale and repair, and active versus physiologic management of the third stage are addressed. Simulation exercises develop hands-on competency.
Category: Core Midwifery Clinical Sciences | Semester Units: 8 | Contact Hours: 120
This advanced course systematically reviews the identification, risk stratification, and management of obstetric complications across all trimesters. Antepartum conditions studied include hyperemesis gravidarum, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, placenta previa, placental abruption, preterm premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor, intrauterine growth restriction, macrosomia, post-term pregnancy, and fetal anomalies. Medical comorbidities in pregnancy—pre-existing hypertension, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, cardiac conditions, asthma, epilepsy, autoimmune disorders—are analyzed with respect to pregnancy-specific management protocols. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, eclampsia) receive extended coverage. Intrapartum complications including shoulder dystocia, umbilical cord prolapse, uterine rupture, and amniotic fluid embolism are addressed with simulation. Students develop skills in clinical decision-making, consultation triggers, and emergency response documentation.
Category: Core Midwifery Clinical Sciences | Semester Units: 6 | Contact Hours: 90
This course provides comprehensive instruction in the physiological and psychosocial dimensions of the postpartum period and breastfeeding support. Students study uterine involution, lochia progression, perineal healing, and the return of ovulation and menstruation. Postpartum cardiovascular risk, venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, and postpartum hemorrhage recognition and management (including use of oxytocin, misoprostol, tranexamic acid, and uterine massage) are covered in depth. Students learn to assess and support breastfeeding—latch, positioning, milk supply, engorgement, mastitis, and weaning—and to provide evidence-based formula-feeding guidance without bias. Postpartum mental health is addressed substantively, including Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale administration, risk factor assessment, and pathways for psychiatric referral. Family planning methods and their timing relative to postpartum physiology are reviewed. Students develop competency in preparing patients for the transition to primary care.
Category: Neonatal & Child Health | Semester Units: 4 | Contact Hours: 60
This course prepares students to conduct comprehensive assessments of the term and near-term newborn. The Apgar score, its strengths and limitations, and immediate newborn management in the delivery room are reviewed. Students perform systematic physical examinations covering integument, head and fontanelles, eyes, ears, nose, oropharynx, neck, clavicles, chest, cardiovascular, abdomen, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, and neurological systems. Normal newborn variants are distinguished from findings requiring evaluation: birth marks, caput succedaneum, cephalohematoma, subgaleal hemorrhage, positional deformities, and congenital anomalies. Gestational age assessment using the Ballard Score is practiced. Newborn metabolic screening, hearing screening, critical congenital heart disease pulse oximetry screening, and hyperbilirubinemia assessment (Bhutani nomogram) are covered. Students learn to counsel parents on normal newborn behavior, safe sleep practices, feeding cues, and recognizing warning signs.
Category: Neonatal & Child Health | Semester Units: 3 | Contact Hours: 45
This course equips students with the knowledge and procedural skills necessary to initiate neonatal resuscitation and stabilize a compromised newborn prior to neonatal intensive care transfer when indicated. Students complete formal Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) training as the evidence-based framework for the course. Topics include anticipation of need for resuscitation, initial steps (warmth, stimulation, positioning, clearing airway), positive pressure ventilation technique and troubleshooting, chest compressions, epinephrine administration, and special considerations in meconium aspiration, prematurity, and congenital anomalies. Thermoregulation, hypoglycemia prevention and treatment, and vascular access techniques are addressed. Students rehearse team communication, closed-loop communication, and debrief practices within simulated high-acuity scenarios. Emphasis is placed on knowing the limits of midwifery scope and executing timely escalation.
Category: Neonatal & Child Health | Semester Units: 3 | Contact Hours: 45
This course examines the trajectory of physical, cognitive, language, social-emotional, and motor development from birth through the first two years of life, providing the developmental pediatrics context required for neonatal and postpartum care. Students study growth parameters—weight, length, head circumference—and WHO/CDC growth chart interpretation, distinguishing normal variation from growth faltering. Developmental surveillance using standardized tools (Denver Developmental Screening Test, Ages & Stages Questionnaires) is introduced. The neurobiology of early childhood attachment, sensitive periods, and the impact of adverse childhood experiences on developmental trajectories are reviewed. Anticipatory guidance content—feeding milestones, introduction of solid foods, sleep-wake patterns, dental care, safety, and developmental stimulation—is incorporated. Students gain an appreciation of cultural variations in infant care practices and learn to deliver guidance in a respectful, non-prescriptive manner.
Category: Gynecology & Reproductive Health | Semester Units: 5 | Contact Hours: 75
This course addresses the full breadth of common gynecologic conditions and the neuroendocrine basis of reproductive health. The hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis is reviewed, followed by systematic study of menstrual cycle disorders including amenorrhea (primary and secondary), oligomenorrhea, anovulation, and dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and pelvic inflammatory disease are examined with respect to pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management within midwifery scope. Reproductive endocrine evaluation—TSH, prolactin, androgens, AMH, FSH—is covered alongside referral criteria for reproductive endocrinology. Premenstrual syndrome and PMDD are addressed. Contraception including hormonal methods, IUDs, barrier methods, permanent contraception, and emergency contraception is taught with attention to mechanism, efficacy, indication, contraindication, and counseling.
Category: Gynecology & Reproductive Health | Semester Units: 4 | Contact Hours: 60
This course integrates preventive care principles across the female lifespan from adolescence through menopause and beyond. Students learn to conduct well-woman examinations, applying current ACOG, USPSTF, and CDC screening guidelines: cervical cancer screening (Pap smear, HPV co-testing and primary HPV testing), breast cancer screening (clinical breast exam, mammography), colorectal cancer screening, osteoporosis screening with DEXA, lipid and diabetes screening, and sexually transmitted infection screening protocols. Vaccination schedules—HPV, influenza, Tdap, COVID-19—and counseling frameworks are reviewed. Menopause physiology, vasomotor symptoms, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, and hormone therapy decision-making are addressed. Students practice shared decision-making conversations, motivational interviewing for lifestyle modification, and culturally responsive counseling to reduce health disparities in preventive care uptake.
Category: Diagnostic & Therapeutic Skills | Semester Units: 4 | Contact Hours: 60
This course provides didactic instruction in the principles and clinical applications of diagnostic ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology. Students learn transducer physics, image generation, safety considerations (ALARA principle), and documentation standards. First-trimester ultrasound applications are covered in depth: intrauterine pregnancy confirmation, crown-rump length measurement for gestational age dating, nuchal translucency measurement, and early pregnancy failure diagnosis. Second- and third-trimester applications include fetal biometry (BPD, HC, AC, FL), anomaly survey, placental localization and grading, amniotic fluid index and single deepest pocket measurement, cervical length assessment, fetal presentation and position, and Doppler assessment of umbilical artery waveforms. Pelvic ultrasound for gynecologic indications—adnexal pathology, uterine pathology, IUD localization—is introduced. Students develop pattern recognition skills through case-based image review and clinical interpretation exercises.
Category: Diagnostic & Therapeutic Skills | Semester Units: 4 | Contact Hours: 60
This course provides a systematic review of the pharmacological principles and specific drug classes most relevant to midwifery practice. Students study pharmacokinetic principles—absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion—as modified in pregnancy, lactation, and the neonatal period. FDA pregnancy and lactation labeling framework and resources (LactMed, Drugs and Lactation Database) are reviewed. Drug classes covered include uterotonic agents (oxytocin, misoprostol, carboprost, ergometrine), tocolytics (nifedipine, indomethacin, magnesium sulfate), antihypertensives used in obstetrics (labetalol, hydralazine, nifedipine), antibiotics for GBS prophylaxis and peripartum infections, antifungals, antiemetics, iron supplementation, corticosteroids for fetal lung maturity, analgesics in pregnancy and postpartum, and medications for postpartum depression and lactation support. Students learn to counsel patients about medication safety, polypharmacy risks, and substance use in pregnancy.
Category: Diagnostic & Therapeutic Skills | Semester Units: 3 | Contact Hours: 45
This course prepares students to recognize, manage, and initiate stabilization of obstetric emergencies until definitive care can be accessed. Major emergencies covered include postpartum hemorrhage (staged management, uterotonic administration, uterine massage, bimanual compression, packing, preparation for surgical transfer), eclamptic seizure (magnesium sulfate protocol, airway management, fetal monitoring), shoulder dystocia (McRoberts, suprapubic pressure, internal rotational maneuvers, deliberate documentation), umbilical cord prolapse (emergency elevation, Trendelenburg, expeditious delivery), placental abruption, uterine inversion (Johnson maneuver), and amniotic fluid embolism. Maternal collapse and the application of basic life support in pregnancy are reviewed. Structured communication frameworks—SBAR, ISBAR, closed-loop communication—and interprofessional team dynamics under crisis are practiced. Simulation-based learning reinforces procedural competency and decision-making under time pressure.
Category: Professional Practice | Semester Units: 3 | Contact Hours: 45
This course examines the ethical, legal, and professional framework within which California-licensed midwives practice. Students study foundational bioethical principles—autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice—and their application to clinical dilemmas in reproductive and perinatal care. Informed consent doctrine, including disclosure obligations, capacity assessment, and documentation, is reviewed in the context of both routine and emergency care. Mandatory reporting obligations—intimate partner violence, child abuse, and mandated reporter statutes—are covered alongside patient confidentiality and HIPAA compliance. California Business & Professions Code provisions governing licensed midwifery, including scope of practice, consultation and transfer requirements, and the challenge mechanism under §2512.5, are analyzed. Students examine professional liability, documentation standards, risk management strategies, and the role of midwifery professional organizations. Case studies develop ethical reasoning and professional judgment.
Category: Professional Practice | Semester Units: 2 | Contact Hours: 30
This course develops the interpersonal and intercultural communication competencies essential for effective, equitable midwifery practice. Students explore communication theory, health literacy principles, and the determinants of patient-provider communication quality. Motivational interviewing, reflective listening, and open-ended questioning are practiced in simulated clinical encounters. The course examines the intersection of race, ethnicity, language, religion, socioeconomic status, immigration status, gender identity, and sexual orientation with health outcomes, and builds skills in delivering culturally humble, person-centered care. Students study implicit bias and structural racism in maternal health, the Black maternal mortality crisis, and evidence-based interventions to reduce disparities. Interpreter services—professional, telephonic, and in-person—and their appropriate use are addressed. Communication strategies for disclosing adverse outcomes and supporting grieving families are developed. Students engage in reflective practice and peer feedback.
Category: Professional Practice | Semester Units: 1 | Contact Hours: 15
This course introduces the principles of epidemiology and public health as they apply to maternal, neonatal, and reproductive health. Students learn to interpret epidemiological measures—incidence, prevalence, relative risk, odds ratio, number needed to treat—and evaluate the quality of evidence in clinical guidelines and public health recommendations. Key epidemiological concepts (confounding, selection bias, information bias) are applied to the critical appraisal of obstetric research literature. Topics include surveillance systems for maternal and infant mortality, the social determinants of health, health equity frameworks, and population-level interventions to improve perinatal outcomes. Students examine California’s maternal mortality rate and contributing causes, disparities by race and geography, and state-level initiatives such as CMQCC quality improvement toolkits. Community assessment skills and the midwife’s role as a public health advocate are explored.
CURRICULUM-TO-STATE COMPLIANCE MATRIX
The following matrix demonstrates how the curriculum maps to the statutory requirements of California Business & Professions Code §2512.5 and associated regulations.
|
Statutory Category |
Courses |
Semester Units |
Contact |
|
Normal Pregnancy & Childbirth (BPC §2507(a)) |
|
22 |
330 |
|
Complications & Emergency Obstetrics (BPC §2507(b)) |
|
11 |
165 |
|
Neonatal Care (BPC §2507(c)) |
|
10 |
150 |
|
Biomedical Science Foundation (BPC §2507(d)) |
|
18 |
270 |
|
Gynecology & Reproductive Health (BPC §2507(e)) |
|
9 |
135 |
|
Pharmacology (BPC §2507(f)) |
|
4 |
60 |
|
Diagnostic Skills (BPC §2507(g)) |
|
4 |
60 |
|
Professional Practice (BPC §2507(h)) |
|
6 |
90 |
|
TOTAL |
84 |
1,260 |
|
DIDACTIC HOURS BY STATUTORY CATEGORY
Conversion: 1 semester unit = 15 didactic contact hours. Total: 84 semester units × 15 = 1,260 hours.
Category | Number of Courses | Semester Units | Contact Hours | % of Total |
Biomedical Sciences | 6 | 18 | 270 | 21.4% |
Core Midwifery Clinical Sciences | 4 | 30 | 450 | 35.7% |
Neonatal & Child Health | 3 | 10 | 150 | 11.9% |
Gynecology & Reproductive Health | 2 | 9 | 135 | 10.7% |
Diagnostic & Therapeutic Skills | 3 | 11 | 165 | 13.1% |
Professional Practice | 3 | 6 | 90 | 7.1% |
TOTAL | 21 | 84 | 1,260 | 100.0% |
CERTIFICATION STATEMENT
I certify that the foregoing curriculum meets the minimum didactic education requirements set forth in California Business & Professions Code §2512.5 and that all course content has been developed and reviewed by qualified faculty with expertise in midwifery, obstetrics, and the biomedical sciences as at 14 March 2026.
Name: Dr. Peter Geissler, MD, PhD
Title: Acting Dean, International Academy of Obstetrics & Gynecology, a Division of Institute of Pharmacy, Ltd (Paris)