A/Prof Bronwyn Devine

I have always felt that fertility options should be inclusive and in my early years as a specialist I worked in the ACT where gamete donation and surrogacy cycles were more readily accessible than in the other states and territories at the time. It meant I was able to work extensively with diverse groups of partnered and single people who wanted to start or grow their family and I loved providing support, care and advocacy in this space. It is so rewarding to be able to do this.

This is not without its challenges because fertility work is time critical and babies are born at all hours of the day and night, sometimes with not much warning at all! Quite a few fertility specialists choose not to continue in obstetrics because the juggle can be tricky. However I think helping people conceive and then caring for them throughout pregnancy, the birth and beyond is phenomenal and I think I have the best job in the world ! I am also very lucky to have supportive and flexible colleagues who can step in and help out my fertility work at the last minute if I am in a birthing unit with someone in labour. I do discuss this with my patients beforehand so they are aware it might happen on occasion but it won’t compromise the timing or the quality of their care.

As well as my dedicated work in for LGBTQ+ patients, I have interests in anovulatory infertility and caring for patients with hormonal and metabolic reproductive challenges. Because it bridges the gap between fertility and obstetrics, I also have an interest in periconceptional medicine and optimising the physical and emotional environment for healthy pregnancy.