Robin Monro got into obstetrics and gynecology by accident.
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He actually planned to be a general surgeon.
It’s gone well for Dr Monro though. After delivering about 6500 babies and 40 years in Bendigo, he retired a few weeks ago.
Read more: Bendigo ENT surgeon Ngalu Havea retires
Dr Monro arrived in Bendigo in March of 1978.
He had been invited by the two obstetrician gynecologists then practising in the city – doctors Harry Pannifex and Joe Reilly – who knew he was looking to settle down in a rural city, after a few years in Warrnambool.
Halfway between his hometown Melbourne, and his wife’s of Charlton, Bendigo was perfect.
When Dr Monro graduated in Medicine from the University of Melbourne in 1969, he had no plans to pursue gynecology and obstetrics.
At that stage the training for any specialty was best in England however, and Dr Monro was able to secure a job in obstetrics and gynecology without an interview.
He thought:
“Well I’ll do that because I don’t know much about gynecology, and look for a good surgical job.”
Six months turned into 12, and Dr Monro was still enjoying the work.
So, he decided to keep going with it.
“I was enjoying it. I was getting a lot of surgery as it was and I was enjoying the obstetric side of things,” he said.
Birth is such a wonderful and beautiful thing, and it’s usually a very joyous time and a very emotional time, and I enjoyed that side of it.
- Robin Monro
Dr Monro hasn’t regretted the decision. Obstetrics and gynecology gave him plenty of scope to exercise his surgical bent, use his medical finesse, and a chance to witness the miracle of birth.
“Birth is such a wonderful and beautiful thing, and it’s usually a very joyous time and a very emotional time, and I enjoyed that side of it,” Dr Monro said.
“There’s an art to it, there’s an art to managing things safely to achieve a good outcome for the mother and the baby.”
Gynecology and obstetrics has also been an exciting field to work in.
In 40 years, Dr Monro has seen medical technology advance at an enormous pace.
When he began to practise ultrasound technology was in its infancy.
In his time it has progressed from a very basic, and rarely used, process to a routine investigation which can provide scans of “amazing detail and accuracy”.
Fibre optic technology and miniature cameras have been among the most significant of these developments in gynecology, Dr Monro said.
The keyhole surgery doctors can now perform has been a great advancement.
Dr Monro himself was involved in some of the advances in the field.
He was one of the first doctors to use a foetal scalp electrode in 1972. The instrument which monitors a baby’s heartrate during labour is now standard during birth.
He is also proud of his involvement in the development of In Vitro Fertilisation.
“[I] remember clearly the day Louise Brown was delibered in England as the first successful IVF baby in 1978,” he said.
“We now have a longstanding IVF service in Bendigo which achieves excellent results, of which I am very proud.”
It’s not the technological advances in themselves that Dr Monro has been pleased to see in his 40 years. It’s the way they improve women’s experience and safety while giving birth.
“With close observation, we can prevent things from going wrong and recognise dangerous situations better than was possible so many years ago,” he said.
“We’re more empathetic to the fact that it’s mostly a natural experience. We try and aim to have them experience a most natural birthing experience as possible, with the least interference.
“But hopefully we can pick up the times that we need to intervene for safety’s sake.”
Changes to obstetrics haven’t just been medical.
When Dr Monro began practise many fathers waited outside the ward while their partner was in labour. A few ventured in, but they were far from the norm.
Now, fathers are expected at the birth of their children. It’s a change for the good in Dr Monro’s book, as an important bonding experience for fathers. Sometimes, the whole family will join.
“On one occasion, I was attending a lady having her eight baby. Her husband was by her side and her other seven children, dressed in white gowns like little angels, stood in a semicircle at the foot of the bed,” Dr Monro said.
“It was a joyous site and experience.”
Two things stand out from Dr Monro’s career: his colleagues and his family.
The combination left him with mixed feelings when it came time to leave.
The unpredictable hours of obstetric work took him away from his family life more than he would like, but also threw him together with a “wonderful” team of colleagues.
He is looking forward to making up for some of the missed family time with his six grandchildren.
“I really did enjoy what I did every day and my job, but now I’m sort of sad to see that side of things go, but while I’m still reasonably healthy I can enjoy retired life and spend a bit more time with my family and grandchildren,” he said.
I treasure the support of my wife and family... after 40 years working in Bendigo and being involved with so many families, I hope I can now be regarded as a local!
- Doctor Robin Monro
How Dr Monro spends the rest of his extra time is up in the air, literally.
Since 1970 he’s been flying whatever he can get his hands on.
He hasn’t had much time recently, but he likes to get 30 to 50 hours in the air a year.
A relaxing game of golf, and a tinker with one one or two of his old cars should fill in the rest of his newfound spare time easily enough.
Dr Monro owns a 1929 and a 1934 Riley, along with a 1937 Fiat, and of course, a 2000 Jaguar XK8.
He hasn’t had time to enjoy these hobbies yet though. Dr Monro’s retirement has been as busy as his employed life so far winding everything up.
He’s looking forward to sitting down and having a chance to relax, and reflect on a lifetime’s work.
Dr Monro is sure of one thing though. He’s loved working with patients, midwives and colleagues, and he couldn’t have done it without the support of his wife and family.
“I have had a wonderful career of which, on reflection, I can be proud,” Dr Monro said.
“I treasure the support of my wife and family and their understanding that I could not always be at home or with them on family occasions. After 40 years working in Bendigo and being involved with so many families, I hope I can now be regarded as a local!”