Women's health is now a "national priority". 

There is now a clear focus on improving access to menopause therapies, contraceptives and endometriosis and pelvic pain support.  

This week on sMater, Mater Gynaecologist Dr Melanie Allan discusses the initiatives announced by @albomp and @jim_chalmers_mp, how it supports medical professionals, and the difference it will make to the lives of women across the country.  

GP Education activity log:  

• Podcast title - sMater: Menopause Measures
• Provider - Mater Misericordiae Ltd  
• Date published – April 4, 2025  
• Certificate of completion - Download here

#womenshealth #healtheducation #healthcare #menopause #smater #mater

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

The final episode in the three-part maternal fetal medicine series with Dr Glenn Gardener looks to the next frontier of complicated pregnancy treatments.

The Director of the Mater Centre for Maternal Fetal Medicine delves into emerging treatments for pregnant women with Rhesus disease, and the role of advanced technologies in driving non-invasive procedures in the future.

To find out more about Mater's specialists and services, visit mater.org.au

GP Education activity log:

• Podcast title - sMater: In-utero treatments
• Provider - Mater Misericordiae Ltd Date published - March 7, 2025
• Certificate of completion - Download here

____

00:00 - Introduction

01:30 - Rhesus disease

11:05 - Questions from GPs

14:15 - The Check Up

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#pregnancyhealth #healtheducation #smater #mater

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

This episode of the three-part mini-series with Dr Glenn Gardener delves into the success of in-utero spina bifida surgery at Mater's Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit.

Dr Gardener successfully performed Australia's first in-utero surgery to correct a developing baby's spinal cord at Mater in 2016.

Since then, more than 200 similar surgeries have been performed, reducing the risk of nerve damage and lifetime mobility restrictions.

Mater's Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit remains the only site in Australia and New Zealand to provide the complex surgery.

GP Education activity log:

• Podcast title - sMater: Spina Bifida
• Provider - Mater Misericordiae Ltd Date published - February 21, 2025
• Certificate of completion - Download here

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

The first of a three-part series featuring maternal fetal medicine specialist, Dr Glenn Gardener, this episode explores diagnosis and treatment of Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome.

TTTS affects identical twins who share a placenta and carries a high risk of fetal death if left untreated.

Dr Gardener, Director of the Mater Centre for Maternal Fetal Medicine, discusses diagnosis, treatments and patient outcomes, as well as the role of GPs in providing shared care of mothers.

GP Education activity log:

• Podcast title - sMater: Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome
• Provider - Mater Misericordiae Ltd Date published - February 7, 2025
• Certificate of completion - Download here

____

00:00 - Introduction

01:35 - Diagnosis of TTTS

3:30 - Dangers of TTTS

06:08 - Treatment of TTTS

09:20 - Questions from GPs

14:43 - The future of TTTS

15:40 - The Check Up

____

#TTTS #twinpregnancy #pregnancyhealth #healtheducation #smater #mater

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

On this episode of sMater, we discuss obesity in pregnancy with Dr Jinwen He, an obstetric medicine fellow at Mater Mothers’ Hospital.

Jin provides advice on treating pregnant patients who are overweight or obese, and explores the increased risks during conception, pregnancy and the post-partum period for women with high BMIs. She also delves into the impacts of bariatric surgery on women who are trying to conceive as well as the risks associated with Ozempic and other weight loss remedies.

Resources: Guideline: Obesity and pregnancy (including post bariatric surgery)

GP Education activity log:

•  Podcast title - sMater: Obesity in Pregnancy
•  Provider - Mater Misericordiae Ltd
•  Date published - December 13, 2024
•  Certificate of completion - Download here

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

In this episode of sMater, we speak with Mater Hospital Brisbane obstetric medicine fellow Dr Jolene Ng about asthma during pregnancy.

With Australia having one of the highest rates of asthma in the world, Jolene explains the impact of this condition on mum and baby during pregnancy and the importance of managing symptoms.

Note - May 2025: Dr Jolene Ng has relocated to Sydney and is no longer consulting at Mater Private Hospital Brisbane. 

References: Asthma in Pregnancy Toolkit - Asthma in Pregnancy Toolkit

GP Education activity log:

•  Podcast title - sMater: Asthma in Pregnancy
•  Provider - Mater Misericordiae Ltd
•  Date published - November 29, 2024
•  Certificate of completion - Download here

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

One in every five Queensland mothers experience perinatal mental health challenges in the first year after their baby's arrival. 

In this episode of sMater, Dr Majella Henry delves into the factors that increase the risk of perinatal anxiety and depression and discusses new tools for diagnosing patients.

References: Trends of perinatal mental health referrals and psychiatric admissions in Queensland - Macarena A San Martin Porter, Joemer Maravilla, Steve Kisely, Kim S Betts, Caroline Salom, Rosa Alati, 2023

GP Education activity log:

•  Podcast title - sMater: Perinatal anxiety & depression
•  Provider - Mater Misericordiae Ltd 
•  Date published - November 18, 2024
•  Certificate of completion - Download here

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

Obstetric Physician and Nephrologist Dr Vishwas Raghunath has a wealth of experience in managing complex medical conditions in high-risk pregnancies.

In this episode of sMater, Vish discusses hypertension, the most common medical problem encountered in pregnancy.

From screening to management and preventative strategies, GPs can hear a range of approaches to ensuring mum and baby remain safe, from conception all the way through the post-partum period.

GP Education activity log:

• Podcast title - sMater: Hypertension in Pregnancy
• Provider - Mater Misericordiae Ltd 
• Date published - November 01, 204
• Certificate of completion - Download here

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

In this week's episode, Mater Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Georgia Heathcote takes a deep dive into trauma informed care, and the impact of a trauma response on physiological and mental health.

Dr Heathcote is passionate about the establishment of universal precautions for trauma, and discusses the value of sympathetic nervous system therapy.

GP Education activity log:

•  Podcast title - sMater: Trauma Informed Care
•  Provider - Mater Misericordiae Ltd 
•  Date published - October 11, 2024
•  Certificate of completion - Download here

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

On this episode of sMater, Dr Caroline Wilson discusses Venus Thromboembolism (VTE), which continues to be a leading cause of maternal death.

As an obstetric physician and haematologist at Mater Hospital Brisbane, Caroline discusses risk factors, symptoms and treatment options for VTE during pregnancy.

For more information on the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guideline, visit: gtg-37a.pdf (rcog.org.uk)

GP Education activity log:

•  Podcast title - sMater: VTE in Pregnancy
•  Provider - Mater Misericordiae Ltd 
•  Date published - September 13, 2024
•  Certificate of completion - Download here

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/