Join PVOGS ANZ, alongside four esteemed guests (2
urogynaecologists from Australia and 2 from the United States of America) for an insightful discussion about a career in Urogynaecology.
PVOGS website: https://www.pvogs.org/
⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes content related to domestic violence. Please take care while listening. If you require help, please reach out via 000 or DV services such as - https://whiteribbon.org.au/helplines/
PVOGS QLD, in collaboration with PVOGS NSW, are excited to bring their first advocacy event of the year featuring esteemed clinicians and community leaders as they share insights on identifying and supporting victim-survivors of domestic violence.
Volunteer with 4 Voices here (includes face to face volunteering, phone support and organisational support) - https://www.4voices.org.au/volunteer
PVOGS website: https://www.pvogs.org/
Thank you to the Victorian PVOGS Committee for hosting this month’s Journal Club. Join Academics Officer, Lizzie Ford, and Dr Marilla Druitt as they discuss the research article ‘Pain-related support seeking? Situating the response to pain within the social context using a sample of women experiencing menstrual pain’ (Marshall et al., 2025), the clinical implications of this research, and a biopsychosocial approach to managing pelvic pain.
Article Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40281347/
PVOGS website: https://www.pvogs.org/
Thank you to the Queensland PVOGS Committee for hosting this month’s Journal Club. Join Dr Sam Haughton and Dr Jessica Little who discuss the efficacy and safety of medical termination of pregnancy; focusing on access, particularly for those living in rural and remote areas.
Article Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37528652/
Link to PVOGS website: https://www.pvogs.org/
PVOGS ANZ warmly welcomes Professor Dharmintra Pasupathy to our Journal Club series.
Professor Pasupathy will be discussing The DESiGN Trial (DEtection of Small for Gestational age Neonate), which is the first randomised controlled trial examining the clinical efficacy, health economics and implementation of the Growth Assessment Protocol (GAP) program in the antenatal detection of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) foetuses.
Further information about The DESiGN Trial can be found here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13063-019-3242-6
Link to PVOGS website: https://www.pvogs.org/
PVOGS ANZ warmly welcomes Professor Caroline de Costa to our Journal Club series. Professor Caroline de Costa is the first woman to become a Professor of obstetrics and gynaecology in Australia, and she has been a major contributor to Australian women getting the reproductive health services they need. She is a professor at James Cook University in Cairns, editor of The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and author to over 15 books.
Professor Caroline de Costa will discuss two fascinating topics:
PVOGS website: https://www.pvogs.org/
Join us for a conversation with Dr Andrew Browning AM,who is an Australian-trained obstetrician and gynaecologist who has worked as a Christian missionary in Ethiopia and Tanzania for more than 17 years as a senior fistula surgeon. In 2009, he founded the Barbara May Foundation, which provides access to caring and knowledgeable maternal health professionals who treat all women with patience, respect and cultural sensitivity in Malawi, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Chad, Uganda, Congo and Togo. The primary focus of BMF-funded programs is safer childbirth, the delivery of live babies, and mothers not dying or injured during childbirth. The majority of programs focus on women living in rural areas and among poorer communities, and are provided free-of-charge to those in need regardless of race, religion or financial capacity. Dr Browning also undertakes extensive work treating women suffering from obstetric fistula injuries which is estimated to be approximately two million in Africa.
PVOGS Website: https://www.pvogs.org/
Title: Reconstructive surgery for women with female genital mutilation: A scoping review.
Study Link:https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1471-0528.17886
Almadori, A., Palmieri, S., Coho, C., Evans, C., Elneil, S., & Albert, J. (2024). Reconstructive surgery for women with female genital mutilation: A scoping review. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 131(12), 1604-1619.
Our speaker for this episode isMr Mansoor Mirkazemi, who currently works at Monash Health as the Clinical Head of Breast Reconstruction. In 2019, he travelled to Kenya to gain insight and training in FGM/C, and since then, he has treated many FGM/C patients in Melbourne on a pro-bono basis, performing life-changing procedures to resurface the clitoris, restore sensation, and reduce pain for patients impacted by FGM/C.
PVOGS Website:https://www.pvogs.org/
In this second and final episode of our two-part series on Cardio-Obstetrics, Anastasia Vakkas speaks to Dr Jeremy William about arrhythmia during pregnancy and peripartum cardiomyopathy. Jeremy William is a cardiologist with a subspecialty interest in arrhythmia and cardiac pacing based at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. He is currently completing a PHD in the role of upfront pacing for patients with high-risk unexplained syncope. His interest in cardio-obstetrics stems from his clinical experiences with patients suffering with severe post-partum cardiomyopathy requiring that he encountered during his registrar training. As an arrhythmia specialist, he also frequently reviews patients referred for palpitations and tachyarrhythmia during pregnancy.
Special thanks to Dr Jack Shembrey for assistance in research and preparation for this episode.
Please use the link below to access some of the visuals referred to in this conversation:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tGH9PufXrC4HVTHov30lG42kPo-N2X08?usp=sharing
Obstetrics, cardiology, O&G, OBGYN
In this first episode of a two-part series on Cardio-Obstetrics. Dr Anastasia Vakkas, a junior HMO from PVOGS Victoria, speaks to Dr Jeremy William about cardiac physiology and valvular disease in pregnancy. Dr William is a cardiologist with a subspecialty interest in arrhythmia and cardiac pacing based at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. He is currently completing a PHD in the role of upfront pacing for patients with high-risk unexplained syncope. His interest in cardio-obstetrics stems from his clinical experiences with patients suffering with severe post-partum cardiomyopathy requiring that he encountered during his registrar training. As an arrhythmia specialist, he also frequently reviews patients referred for palpitations and tachyarrhythmia during pregnancy.
Special thanks to Dr Jack Shembrey for assistance in research and preparation for this episode.
Please use the link below to access some of the visuals referred to in this conversation:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tGH9PufXrC4HVTHov30lG42kPo-N2X08?usp=sharing
Will Stobie speaks with Samantha Payne about the supports Pink Elephants provides and how we as doctors can deliver supportive care to women going through pregnancy loss. Samantha Payne is founder & CEO of The Pink Elephants a support and advocacy organisation for women going through pregnancy loss. Pink Elephants have supported thousands of women through online resources, online peer support services, and advocating to government and employers on issues like paid leave for loss.
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and to raise awareness The Pink Elephants are currently running their Miscarriage Rebellion campaign, find out more here and about The Pink Elephants' other work through their socials below.
Website: www.pinkelephants.org.au
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkelephantssupport/?hl=en
Email: contact@pinkelephantssupport.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthapaynepesn/
The Miscarriage Rebellion: https://www.pinkelephants.org.au/page/216/the-miscarriage-rebellion#
Obstetrics, miscarriage, O&G, OBGYN.
TRIGGER WARNING: birth-related trauma, mental health & subjects that some listeners may find distressing.
Nadia Olivier speaking with Amy Dawes OAM, the CEO and co-founder of the Australasian Birth Trauma Association, on birth trauma, postnatal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and what we as medical students and junior doctors can do to address these issues. Nadia is the 2023 logistics officer for PVOGS Victoria who is passionate about Women's Health and providing people with a safe & holistic experience.
Birth Trauma Awareness Week is from July 16-22nd.
Find further information on & if it is within your means please donate to their cause:
https://birthtrauma.org.au/
Find further information on resources listed at:
https://www.compassionomics.com/
Incidence of neonatal sepsis after universal antenatal culture-based screening of group B streptococcus and intrapartum antibiotics: A multicentre retrospective cohort study. Chan et al. BJOG. 10 Aug 2022. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.17279.
Study Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36002935/
Our speaker for this episode is Dr Emma McLaughlin, a proud puppy parent, art enthusiast and casual netballer. Emma completed her medical degree at the University of Melbourne before interning at Western Health. After two residency years at the Mercy Hospital for Women and an unaccredited registrar year at The Northern Hospital, she is now a level 1 RANZCOG trainee. She likes to know ‘why we do the things we do’ in O&G, and has a keen interest in research and guideline development.
PVOGS Website: https://pvogs.org/
Effect of Immediate vs Delayed Pushing on Rates of Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery Among Nulliparous Women Receiving Neuraxial Analgesia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Cahill AG, Srinivas SK, Tita ATN, et al. JAMA. 2018;320(14):1444–1454. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.13986
Study Link: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2706136
Our speaker for this episode is Dr Alicia Mulligan, a final year FRANZCOG trainee. Alicia is a born and bred Kiwi, hailing from Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand, where she completed most of her training. Currently Alicia is spending 12 months enjoying Melbourne, working and adventuring around Australia. Alicia has interests in colposcopy, office gynaecology and reproductive health, and believes Obgyn is a great career with so much to offer. In her spare time, Alicia enjoys spending time with family and friends, travel and sport.
PVOGS website: https://pvogs.org/
Allegra Boccabella (PVOGS) speaks with Dr Nicole Gastaldin about termination of pregnancy
Allegra Boccabella (PVOGS) speaks with Liz Price (Children by Choice)
https://www.childrenbychoice.org.au/factsandfigures/reproductivecoercion
https://www.mariestopes.org.au/advocacy-policy/reproductive-coercion/
Senior fertility specialist, Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at UNSW and previous the Chair and Head of the Academic Unit for Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Professor William Ledger discusses assisted conception with Michelle (PVOGS).
Maternal fetal medicine specialist, Prof Sue Walker joins Hannah Gordon (PVOGS) to discuss managing cardiac and other medical problems in pregnancy as well as providing an approach to managing medications in the antenatal and postnatal periods
How do we identify perinatal depression and psychosis? Perinatal psychiatrist, Prof Anne Buist talks to Hannah Gordon (PVOGS) about maternal and paternal mental health, and why antenatal depression is just as important as postnatal depression.
For women of child-bearing age presenting to the emergency department with abdominal pain, don't forget about ectopic pregnancy! Hannah Gordon (PVOGS) talks to O&G registrar, Natasha Pritchard about identifying, diagnosing and managing ectopic pregnancies.
