I started my obstetric career at the Mater Public Hospital in Brisbane, Australia in 1981, then after completing a resident rotation, of two years, I became a night registrar in 1983, where I did a year of night duty looking after pregnant ladies between the hours of 11 pm and 8 am, under the supervision of my Consultants.  

My formal training in obstetrics and gynaecology started the following year at the Royal Women’s Hospital. In the following years, I rotated through Ipswich, Cairns and the Princess Alexandra Hospitals.

My final year of specialist training was spent in Essex, England. I became a Fellow of the College in 1990. In my first few years in private practice, I delivered babies at The Wesley Hospital, Mater Mother’s, Royal Women’s and North West Private Hospitals. I now exclusively deliver babies and operate at the Wesley Private Hospital in Auchenflower, Brisbane.

My attitude to the care of pregnant women is fairly simple. I respect that people may have their own ideas, preferences and customs for how they want their pregnancy and labour to progress. Approximately a third of my patients have a clear birth plan, another third would rather just wait to see what course nature will take and the final group request a caesarean section without them going into labour.  

I explain to all of my expectant mothers, that although birth is a normal, natural event it is not always predictable.  Because of this, I discuss the need to remain flexible and open minded, because there are circumstances where patients will require an unplanned caesarean section, often very urgently and sometimes without much time at all to explain what is going on. I do my very best to explain the circumstances as they arise, but conditions including life threatening bleeding and foetal distress, demand immediate medical intervention.

I have a good core group of paediatricians at the Wesley, whom I commonly call upon to look after newborn babies.  Similarly, I work with a fantastic group of anaesthetists, who are very experienced in giving epidurals, should one be required.  At the Wesley there is an obstetric anaesthetist available 24 hours a day.

My personal attitude is that pain relief should be adequate.  This may mean that you don’t need analgesia for your pain management, preferring a partner or support person to rub your back or to have a hot shower frequently through your labour, or you may elect for an epidural when you arrive in Labour Ward.  All of these options are available to you, but none will be forced upon you.  Gas (nitrous oxide) and injections are also available.

After the birth of your baby, I will visit you while you are in hospital and you will see me again at 6 weeks in my consulting rooms for a post-natal check-up.  You may wish to time that visit with the paediatrician’s visit. I encourage women to phone me before the six week check-up, if there are any questions or issues.

Recently, there has been talk of the fourth trimester. This represents the 3 months AFTER your baby has been delivered. This is a critical period of bonding and adjustment and should not be ignored. Some new mothers and fathers can feel particularly lost and even depressed, and do not feel the happiness they dreamed the birth of their baby would bring.

Life can change dramatically, especially with the birth of a first child, and some couples need help to adjust. Some may need antidepressants for a few months. If you think you may need help, please call my office and make an appointment.