Talking O&G - a RANZCOG Podcast

E20. Recommendations for Multidisciplinary Treatment of Persistent Pelvic Pain (audio)

In this episode of Talking O&G: a RANZCOG Podcast, host Dr Heather Waterfall speaks with Dr Marilla Druitt about multidisciplinary management and treatment options for persistent pelvic pain.   Pelvic pain affects one in five women in Australia and up to one in four women in Aotearoa New Zealand at some point in their life. Contributors are broad, and may include conditions such endometriosis or adenomyosis, antenatal or postpartum pain, or irritable bowel syndrome.  Dr Waterfall and Dr Druitt address a range of treatment and prevention approaches, including hormonal treatment, physiotherapy, pain psychology, nutrition, and more. They highlight the biopsychosocial components of pelvic pain and its comorbidities and recommend a holistic approach to care. They also emphasise the importance of focusing on prevention, to reduce the potential development of severe pain.  This episode was recorded in February 2026. Please refer to the PBS website [https://www.pbs.gov.au/pbs/home] for up-to-date information on medication availability and subsidies.   🔗 Resources mentioned in this episode:  * Australian Living Evidence Guideline: Endometriosis [https://ranzcog.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/Endometriosis-Clinical-Practice-Guideline.pdf]   * Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia: Stretches, Strategies and Acupressure Guides [https://www.pelvicpain.org.au/ppep-talk-hub/stretches]  * Queensland Government Flowchart: Acute presentation of persistent pelvic pain [https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/1364416/f-acute-persistent-pelvic-pain.pdf]  📌 RANZCOG members can submit CPD at: https://shorturl.at/iq733 [https://shorturl.at/iq733]   💬 If you found this episode valuable, please rate, review, subscribe, and share it with your colleagues.  RANZCOG acknowledges the need for more inclusive terminology for gender diversity. In this podcast we aim to use inclusive language, and any use of the term “women” should be interpreted to include all people requiring gynaecological and obstetric care.    The views expressed are those of the speakers and may not reflect the official position of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG).

E19. Unpacking the Clinical Utility of Maternal TORCH Screening in Fetal Growth Restriction (audio)

In this episode of Talking O&G: a RANZCOG Podcast, host Dr Nisha Khot speaks with Professor Lisa Hui and Associate Professor Natasha Holmes about the clinical utility of TORCH – Toxoplasma gondii, rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV) – serology in isolated fetal growth restriction (FGR).   Professor Hui and A/Prof Holmes co-authored a study on this topic, considering whether TORCH serology should continue to be ordered for isolated FGR. They examine the importance of differentiating early- and late-onset FGR, how their findings reflect international screening recommendations, and whether TORCH screening can be a reassuring measure for patients. They highlight the waste of resources and potential increase of maternal anxiety associated with ordering TORCH serology in situations where it is clinically unnecessary.   🔗 Resources mentioned in this episode:  * Clinical utility of maternal TORCH screening in fetal growth restriction: A retrospective two-centre study [https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ajo.13802]  📌 RANZCOG members can submit CPD at: https://shorturl.at/iq733 [https://shorturl.at/iq733]   💬 If you found this episode valuable, please rate, review, subscribe, and share it with your colleagues.  RANZCOG acknowledges the need for more inclusive terminology for gender diversity. In this podcast we aim to use inclusive language, and any use of the term “women” should be interpreted to include all people requiring gynaecological and obstetric care.    The views expressed are those of the speakers and may not reflect the official position of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG).

E18. Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC) and Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) (audio)

In this episode of Talking O&G: a RANZCOG Podcast, host Dr Anna Clare and Conjoint Associate Professor Tania Day discuss diagnosis and treatment recommendations for vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and bacterial vaginosis (BV) – two common and impactful conditions with high recurrence rates.   Dr Clare and Conj A/Prof Day examine recent and emerging research on these conditions, unpack common myths and misconceptions, and discuss their experiences diagnosing and treating them in their clinical practice. They touch on a range of long-term management strategies including male partner treatment of BV and the role of the microbiome in both conditions.  🔗 Resources mentioned in this episode:  * Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Vaginitis [https://www.issvd.org/resources/recommendations-for-the-diagnosis-and-treatment-of-vaginitis]  * Clinician instructions for BV partner treatment [https://www.mshc.org.au/health-professionals/bv-health-professional-info/clinician-instructions-for-bv-partner-treatment]  * Genital cutaneous candidiasis versus chronic recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: distinct diseases, different populations [https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/cmr.00020-25]  * Nature Reviews Disease Primer: Bacterial vaginosis [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41572-025-00626-1]  📌 RANZCOG members can submit CPD at: https://shorturl.at/iq733 [https://shorturl.at/iq733]   💬 If you found this episode valuable, please rate, review, subscribe, and share it with your colleagues.  RANZCOG acknowledges the need for more inclusive terminology for gender diversity. In this podcast we aim to use inclusive language, and any use of the term “women” should be interpreted to include all people requiring gynaecological and obstetric care.    The views expressed are those of the speakers and may not reflect the official position of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG).

E17. Unpacking RANZCOG’s Robotic Assisted Surgery in Gynaecology, Urogynaecology and Gynae-oncology Clinical Guideline (audio)

In this episode of Talking O&G: a RANZCOG Podcast, host A/Prof Scott White speaks to Dr Natasha Frawley and Dr Magdalena Halt about RANCOG’s new clinical guideline for Robotic Assisted Surgery in Gynaecology, Urogynaecology and Gynae-oncology (C-Gyn 29). This guideline builds on and broadens the scope of the College’s 2009 Position Statement on Robotic Assisted Laparoscopy.   Robotic assisted surgery is growing rapidly – as of May 2023, there were 162 robotic surgical platforms in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, and this number continues to rise. Dr Frawley and Dr Halt explore the current evidence surrounding robotic assisted gynaecological surgery compared to open or laparoscopic procedures, areas that require further research, and the environmental implications of this approach. They discuss their own clinical experiences with robotic platforms and highlight some of the access issues currently associated with robotic assisted surgery.   🔗 Resources mentioned in this episode:  * Robotic Assisted Surgery in Gynaecology, Urogynaecology and Gynae-oncology (C-Gyn 29) Clinical Guideline [https://ranzcog.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/Robotic-Assisted-Surgery-Gynaecology.pdf] 📌 RANZCOG members can submit CPD at: https://shorturl.at/iq733 [https://shorturl.at/iq733]   💬 If you found this episode valuable, please rate, review, subscribe, and share it with your colleagues.  RANZCOG acknowledges the need for more inclusive terminology for gender diversity. In this podcast we aim to use inclusive language, and any use of the term “women” should be interpreted to include all people requiring gynaecological and obstetric care.    The views expressed are those of the speakers and may not reflect the official position of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG).  This podcast is not sponsored by any technology companies. Our aim is to deliver balanced, evidence-based discussion. Any views expressed are those of the speaker and do not reflect brand endorsement by RANZCOG.

E16. Recommendations for Breastfeeding Care and Counselling (audio)

In this episode of Talking O&G: a RANZCOG Podcast, host Dr Heather Waterfall delves into breastfeeding care with Dr Briony Andrew and Dr Jacqui Wagner, GP Obstetricians and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants.  Breastfeeding has been proven to have significant health benefits for both mother and baby. However, many mothers require help and support to overcome common challenges such as low supply, or pain during feeding. Research has found that only 17-22% of babies in Aotearoa New Zealand and 29-37% of babies in Australia are exclusively breastfed at six months. It is vital that women’s healthcare professionals are equipped with evidence-based recommendations and resources to support new mothers on their breastfeeding journeys. Dr Andrew and Dr Wagner unpack antenatal education and expression of colostrum, common complications such as mastitis and blocked ducts, low supply, taking medications while breastfeeding, and much more. They emphasise that no two breastfeeding experiences are the same, and so individualised care is essential to support the best outcomes for mother and baby.  🔗 Resources mentioned in this episode:  * Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/]  * E-Lactancia [https://www.e-lactancia.org/]  * MotherToBaby Fact Sheets [https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/]  * Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocols [https://www.bfmed.org/protocols]  📌 RANZCOG members can submit CPD at: https://shorturl.at/iq733 [https://shorturl.at/iq733]   💬 If you found this episode valuable, please rate, review, subscribe, and share it with your colleagues.  RANZCOG acknowledges the need for more inclusive terminology for gender diversity.   In this podcast we aim to use inclusive language, and any use of the term “women” should be interpreted to include all people requiring gynaecological and obstetric care.    The views expressed are those of the speakers and may not reflect the official position of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG).