Dr Derrick Thompson (Author - The Australian Pregnant Book)

Dr Derrick ThompsonFather of three, stepfather to two and very proud grandfather of three (including twins!), Dr Derrick Thompson (pictured right with his partner Wendy Angliss cuddling Dr Thompson's grandchild) has practised as a consultant obstetrician at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia for 30 years in conjunction with his private obstetric and gynaecological practice. He has personally delivered more than 6,000 babies.

He is Melbourne-born and educated at Melbourne Boys High School and Monash University, Melbourne. He received his medical degree from Monash University obtaining his obstetric and gynaecology specialisation from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in London.

Dr Thompson's 'outside medicine' special interests include water sports - swimming, surfing and wind surfing, music, reading, cattle farming, share trading, food, wine, travel, children and grandchildren.

Today, Dr Thompson is a senior consultant obstetrician/gynaecologist at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia and maintains a private gynaecological practice.

Dr Thompson is currently a:

  • Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRANZCOG)
  • Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRCOG)
  • Member of the:
    - Australian Medical Association (AMA)
    - National Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (NASOG),
    - Australian Gynaecological Endoscopy Society (AGES); and
    - Australian Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP).

His specific areas of interest in women's health during his medical career (including the publishing of peer-reviewed papers) have been:

  • charting fetal growth
    - developed the symphysis-fundus height growth chart to monitor normal growth of fetus and to identify intrauterine growth retardation (one of the most common causes of fetal morbidity and mortality) (The Australian Pregnant Book includes your very own symphysis-fundus height growth chart PLUS your own birth calculator!)

  • vaginal delivery without an episiotomy
    - developed a technique to reduce the incidence of episiotomy and vaginal tears during childbirth

  • the medical management of ectopic pregnancy
    - developed guidelines (algorithm) for identifying patients with ectopic pregnancy for laparoscopic treatment

  • medical treatment with methotrexate

  • laser treatment for precancerous lesions of the cervix and genital condyloma

  • Providing gynaecological support to remote areas of Australia in particular the Kimberley region of Western Australia with a special interest in indigenous women's health

Dr Thompson has written The Australian Pregnant Book, after looking at a number of pregnancy books in the market, to answer the questions which have been most frequently asked by would-be mothers during his long career. He hopes the book will provide a better understanding of pregnancy, pregnancy management and delivery for all prospective mothers and their partners so that they will more fully enjoy their pregnancy and birthing experience.