Dr Joseph Sgroi was on his way to becoming a cardiologist when his wife had their first child.
“The whole experience was so joyous, it was fantastic. It made me realise what my passion had been all along,” the Melbourne-based obstetrician told Mamamia.
Dr Sgroi went back to medical school and retrained in obstetrics and gynaecology. He is now a highly regarded and sought after professional and expert in women’s health, pregnancy, childbirth and fertility.
He also happens to be a man.
You can listen to Dr Sgroi on Hello Bump. Post continues after podcast.
In fact, more than half of the O&G profession are male.
But a columnist for The Australian posed the question at the weekend: Is it really a job for a man?
“I always gravitate towards female gynaecologists, just as I presume many men gravitate towards male andrologists and urologists. First-hand knowledge – why wouldn’t you?” Nikki Gemmell wrote.
“What’s their motivation to specialise in this most intimate of arenas?” she added.
Gemmell went on to relay that a female doctor friend had suggested that perhaps: “[Male gynaecologists] hate women, and like to see them in pain?”
It’s a claim Dr Sgroi completely rejects.
“None of us… no one goes into medicine to cause harm to people,” he said. “All of us go into it in an altruistic way to help people.”
The opinion immediately started a conversation online, with many in the medical community, along with their families, patients and colleagues, responding to Gemmell’s piece.
Top Comments
I cant imagine doing anything worse. Maybe being a proctologist would be worse
Why would you think he's afraid of them?
The need to tell us all that he wouldn't relish the role of being an obs/gynae doctor? As a doctor there are many roles that don't appeal to me wither, but I don't have an emotional need to disseminate my distaste to others.
I can't imagine being a highly paid CEO either. There is no way I could do it.
It does not mean I'm scared of CEO's - well, ok, there was one who scared the hell outta me, but I digress ;o)
My biggest issue with Dr Jospeh is that he is a bit easy on the eye and I'm not sure I'd be totally comfortable with him in the birthing suite lol ;)
As a potential father, I totally agree with you here DP - and no, I don't have jealousy and trust issues! ;o)
Almost spat my coffee out. On first speed read, I thought you wrote 'I am not sure i'd be totally comfortable with him in his birthday suit'. I was going to ask what your current gyno wears to each appointment!
Lol that's great.
BTW she wore a long sleeved silk shirt for the delivery of my daughter. Almost as crazy as being in her birthday suit.