Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Obstetrics and gynaecology are the two surgical–medical specialties dealing with the female reproductive organs and both pregnant and non-pregnant patients, respectively. Physicians who deliver obstetric and gynaecological services are known as obstetricians and gynaecologists. Obstetricians in particular will also deal with the treatment and care of pre-natal and neo-natal babies.

The training for physicians in this field in Australia is among the longest or any specialty, at six years. In addition to the obstetrics and gynaecology specialty, obstetricians and gynaecologists may choose to further specialise in any of a number of sub-specialties. Such sub-specialties include maternal-foetal medicine of high-risk pregnancies and surgery on the foetus, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, gynaecological oncology, urogynaecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery, advanced laparoscopic surgery, family planning, paediatric and adolescent gynaecology, menopausal and geriatric gynaecology.

Obstetricians and gynaecologists may work from a number of different hospital and clinics, in addition to their own practice or consulting rooms. Some obstetricians and gynaecologists have their practices attached to local or community medical centres, others will practice from dedicated consulting suites often attached to hospitals. Many general practitioners will be able to refer patients to obstetricians and gynaecologists, and additional referral and references can be appropriate.