E9. Unpacking RANZCOG's Early Pregnancy Screening and Prevention of Preterm Preeclampsia Guideline (audio)
Preeclampsia is an uncommon yet high-risk condition – especially when it develops early in pregnancy. In this episode of Talking O&G: A RANZCOG Podcast, host Associate Professor Scott White is joined by Professor Amanda Henry and Associate Professor Daniel Rolnik to unpack RANZCOG’s Early Pregnancy Screening and Prevention of Preterm Preeclampsia Guideline.
This discussion explores the rationale behind the guideline update, how first-trimester screening improves detection of preeclampsia and practical steps for clinicians. Topics include individualised risk assessment, the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) first-trimester algorithm and the use of aspirin for risk reduction. The guests also discuss equity and access, including barriers faced in rural/remote settings, out-of-pocket costs and culturally competent care for First Nations and Māori patients.
🔗Resources mentioned in this episode:
Early pregnancy screening and prevention of preterm preeclampsia and related complications (C-Obs 61)
SOMANZ Hypertension in Pregnancy Guideline 2023
FMF Assessment of risk for Preeclampsia (PE)
📌 RANZCOG members can submit CPD at: https://shorturl.at/iq733
💬 If you found this episode valuable, please rate, review, subscribe, and share it with your colleagues.
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).
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E8. Unpacking RANZCOG's Cervical Cancer Screening Guideline (audio)
Cervical screening is an essential public health measure in the prevention of cervical cancer, and practice continues to evolve with new evidence and recommendations.
In this episode of Talking O&G: A RANZCOG Podcast, host Dr Nisha Khot is joined by Associate Professor Jared Watts and Dr Anna Clare to unpack RANZCOG’s new Signposting Guideline: Cervical Cancer Screening in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
This discussion covers the rationale for the updated guideline and how it can support clinicians in day-to-day practice. Topics include HPV testing as the primary screening tool, risk-based recommendations, self-collection, and managing higher-risk and immunocompromised groups. The guests also explore approaches to trauma-informed care and guidance for special circumstances such as pregnancy, hysterectomy and non-sexually active patients.
They also highlight the importance of culturally safe care, supporting patients to make informed decisions, and what’s next for cervical screening across Australia.
While this episode focuses on the Australian context, we’ll be dedicating a future episode to cervical screening in Aotearoa New Zealand.
🔗 Resources mentioned in this episode:
RANZCOG Cervical Cancer Screening Guideline
RANZCOG Cervical Cancer Screening in Australia and New Zealand Patient Information Pamphlet
PREVENT Project
📌 RANZCOG members can submit CPD at: https://shorturl.at/iq733
💬 If you found this episode valuable, please rate, review, subscribe, and share it with your colleagues.
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).
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E7. Unpacking Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (audio)
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the most common liver condition due to pregnancy, yet one that still generates a lot of clinical uncertainty. In this episode, host Dr Nisha Khot speaks with experts, Professor Bill Hague, obstetric physician, and Associate Professor Scott White, obstetrician and maternal fetal medicine specialist. Together they delve into the Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand (SOMANZ) Consensus Statement on Diagnosis and Management of ICP, released in 2023, with the Executive Summary published in ANZJOG.
The discussion covers everything from presentation and diagnosis of ICP, management approaches and counselling, the role of ursodeoxycholic acid and alternatives, to timing of birth, monitoring and surveillance, and common misconceptions.
🔗 Resources mentioned in this episode:
ANZJOG 2023 – White – Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy Contemporary Management
Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy – Diagnosis and Management
📌 RANZCOG members can submit CPD at: https://shorturl.at/iq733
💬 If you found this episode valuable, please rate, review, subscribe, and share it with your colleagues.
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).
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E6. Vulval Disorders: Lichen Sclerosus (audio)
In this episode of Talking O&G, host Dr Anna Clare (obstetrician gynaecologist) is joined by guest, Dr Tania Day (gynaecologist specialising in vulvovaginal conditions). They discuss the diagnosis, management and ongoing treatment of vulval conditions, particularly lichen sclerosus, is a common yet often under recognised vulval condition that if left untreated can lead to poor outcomes for patients.
The conversation explores how vulval condition examination and history taking differs from a standard gynaecological review, approaches to investigations including wet mounts, swabs and PCRs, and why it’s important to consider other disorders of the vulva during your examinations. Dr Tania Day explains why biopsies are an important part of the diagnostic process, why it’s essential to keep your patient informed throughout an examination, and how to navigate management and treatment plans with your patient. The episode discusses how vulval disorders and cancers can be prevented when symptoms are treated early and why it is so important for patients to bring their vulval concerns to their gynaecologist.
🔗 Resources mentioned in this episode:
ISSVD Practical Guide to Lichen Sclerosus
O&G Magazine, The Vulva Issue (Winter 2025)
Day & Sobel. Genital cutaneous candidiasis versus chronic recurrent candidiasis: distinct diseases, different populations. Clinical Microbiology Reviews (2025)
📌 RANZCOG members can submit CPD at: https://shorturl.at/iq733
💬 If you found this episode valuable, please rate, review, subscribe, and share it with your colleagues.
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).
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E5. Unpacking RANZCOG's Substance Use in Pregnancy Guideline (audio)
Substance use in pregnancy is a complex and sensitive area of maternity care. In this episode of Talking O&G, host Dr Kasia Siwicki is joined by Dr Anna Clare (obstetrician gynaecologist and Chair of the Guideline Development Group), Dr Dan Wilson (GP and addiction medicine specialist), and Kerri Felemonow (social worker, Manager of The Women’s Alcohol and Drug Service Program at the Royal Women’s Hospital) to unpack the updated RANZCOG Clinical Guideline – Substance Use in Pregnancy (C-Obs 53).
The conversation explores why the guideline was updated and what’s new, the role of non-stigmatising, person-centred language, and practical approaches to universal screening in antenatal care. The guests also discuss pharmacological and non-pharmacological supports for nicotine, alcohol, and opioid use, the importance of harm reduction strategies, and what supportive care looks like in practice, with a focus on providing trauma-informed and culturally safe care, particularly for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori women. The episode investigates how holistic, multidisciplinary and community-led approaches can improve outcomes for mothers and babies.
🔗 Resources mentioned in this episode: Substance Use in Pregnancy (C-Obs 53)
📌 RANZCOG members can submit CPD at: https://shorturl.at/iq733
💬 If you found this episode valuable, please rate, review, subscribe, and share it with your colleagues.
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).
Talking O&G - a RANZCOG Podcast delivers expert insights and up-to-date clinical information in obstetrics and gynaecology. Created for RANZCOG members, trainees, and healthcare professionals, each episode features evidence-based discussions on essential topics—from miscarriage and vasa praevia to contraception, abortion, and more. Available in both audio and video formats, with new episodes released fortnightly via ranzcog.edu.au/podcasts, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.