V1.iii · Obstetric Physiology

Official V4 objective

Describe the transfer of nutrients, drugs and gases between mother and foetus including the double Bohr and Haldane effects.

2 SAQ topics 4 SAQ appearances 6 VIVA stations

Current · V5 (2025) → P2.v

Written examination

SAQ history

4 appearances

Placental Gas Exchange

2 exam appearances

2009B Q24

Describe how gas exchange is influenced across the placenta near the term of pregnancy.

11%

2008B Q22

Describe how gas exchange is facilitated across the placenta near the end of pregnancy.

—

Drug Response Variability — Placental Transfer

2 exam appearances

2009A Q24

Explain the factors which influence the transfer of drugs across the placenta to the foetus.

30%

2008A Q22

Outline the factors influencing the transport of drug s across the placenta.

—

Oral examination

VIVA history

6 stations

2025A · Day 1 · VIVA 4
This VIVA will examine maternal-foetal physiology and pharmacology. What is normal placental blood flow at term? How might foetal hypoxaemia occur in utero without a change in maternal oxygenation?

62% successful
2024A · Day 2 · VIVA 8
This VIVA will examine maternofoetal physiology and pharmacology. How is oxygen delivered to the placenta and then fetus? What factors influence that delivery? (Image removed from report.)

Pass rate not reported
2023B · Day 3 · VIVA 2
This viva will test your knowledge of foetal, placental and neonatal physiology. What determines the rate of gas transfer across the placenta?

Pass rate not reported
2022B · Day 3 · VIVA 2
This viva will explore your knowledge of gas transfer via the placenta, and foetal physiology and anatomy . Identify which curves belong to the major vessels involved in placental gas transfer. (Image removed from report.)

Pass rate not reported
2014B · VIVA 5
This Viva tested knowledge on obstetric and neonatal physiology. It explored the cardiovascular changes in pregnancy, factors that influence gas exchange across the placenta, the changes with the first breath and went on to aspects of humidity.

71.4% successful
2012B · VIVA 3
This Viva will examine maternal physiology and pharmacology. Write down the expected values in an Arterial Blood Gas for a pregnant woman at term. Subsequent discussion involved respiratory changes with pregnancy, including spirometry, pharmacology of drug transfer across the placenta, pharmacology of syntocinon and ergotamine.

Pass rate not reported

Sources: objective text from the relevant CICM syllabus; historical SAQ and VIVA wording from CICM examiner reports.