What is an Obstetrician?

An obstetrician is a specialist doctor who completes their 8-9 years of medical training to become a doctor and then spends another 5-6 years to become a specialist. This involves training in all aspects of obstetrics and gynaecology including gynaecological surgery and passing rigorous written and practical examinations to become a member of the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. By the time a doctor becomes an obstetrician they have already delivered about 200 babies per year for five or more years.  At Shore Birth, three of our doctors have been delivering babies for more than 30 years.

Why involve a specialist Obstetrician in your care?

Many women prefer the security of having a specialist present in case of any complications.

Special reasons may include:

• difficulty in conceiving or needing assistance to conceive e.g. IVF

• a previous pregnancy loss

• a previous pregnancy affected by fetal growth restriction

• medical problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid disease, epilepsy, diabetes, autoimmune disease, joint or neurological diseases

• a breech baby

• a multiple pregnancy

• placenta praevia

• a difficult previous pregnancy or birth

• a previous haemorrhage or retained placenta

• a previous caesarean delivery

• the need for a planned caesarean delivery