Our blueprint estimate puts 8–12 of the 200 questions in pharmacology, about 5% of the paper, spread across both papers. It is our estimate, not a figure published by the RCOG. A moderate share of the paper, and reliably examined.
8–12
of 200
10
in our syllabus map
measurement_manipulation
3 other areas
Pharmacology in obstetrics is organised around safety: which drugs harm the fetus, which are safe in the mother, and which have contraindications you must know before using them in an emergency.
The 10 syllabus topics we map to Pharmacology for Part 1.
Know the drugs that cause a recognisable embryopathy and the trimester in which each does harm. Learn too which agents are preferred in pregnancy: low molecular weight heparin does not cross the placenta, whereas warfarin does.
Pharmacology in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Reducing the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism during Pregnancy and the Puerperium
Oxytocin, ergometrine, carboprost and misoprostol each have a mechanism, a route and a contraindication. Ergometrine is avoided in hypertension and carboprost in asthma, and these two facts decide many scenarios.
Pharmacology in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Prevention and Management of Postpartum Haemorrhage
Used for the prevention and treatment of eclamptic seizures. Understand the sequence of toxicity, how to monitor for it and the antidote, because the exam asks you to act on a patient who is deteriorating on treatment.
Pharmacology in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Management of Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia
Match the antihypertensive to the patient, remembering its contraindications. Hormonal therapy questions concern mechanism and risk rather than regimes.
Hypertension in Pregnancy Pharmacology in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Build a table with one row per drug and columns for mechanism, route, use in obstetrics, contraindication and adverse effect. Learn the contraindications first, because they decide scenarios. Revise the emergency drugs, uterotonics and magnesium, by walking through a haemorrhage and an eclamptic seizure step by step, naming each drug at the point you would reach for it.
Part 1 is 200 single best answer questions across two papers with no negative marking, so an informed guess always beats a blank. Pharmacology is a medium-yield area in our blueprint estimate, and it overlaps strongly with Part 2 maternal medicine and postpartum haemorrhage. The same drug facts are examined again, in clinical form.
Every question is original and written from published RCOG and NICE guidance, and every explanation cites the guideline it came from. Free: 5 days full access, then 50 questions. No card.
Published RCOG and NICE guidance summarised for revision, with the source cited on every page.
MRCOG AI is an independent educational tool. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).