Have you got what it takes to be an obstetric anaesthetist?

All anaesthetists in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand learn how?to look after pregnant women and their babies as part of the ANZCA Anaesthesia Training Program, and in most hospitals, an anaesthetist will be available to join the birthing team if needed (for example, to provide an epidural or a spinal block). But for some, obstetric anaesthesia becomes a full-time career.

Like all sub-specialist areas of anaesthesia, aptitude is as important as clinical knowledge and experience. As part of our 2021 National Anaesthesia Day theme 'Anaesthesia and having a baby', we asked obstetric anaesthetists on both sides of the Tasman to tell us why they love their jobs and what special skills they think this role requires.