John Svigos

John Svigos

Adelaide Medical School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Associate Professor John Svigos AM: MB, BS; DRCOG; MRCOG; FAGO; FRACOG; CBioEth; FRCOG; FRANZCOG
TITLEHOLDER: Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide.
Senior Visiting Medical Specialist, Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.

Professor Svigos served in private practice in Adelaide as an obstetrician and gynaecologist since July 1978, having completed his training in the specialty in South Australia and South Africa. Since retiring in 2017, Professor Svigos has been working with SA Country Health in Port Augusta and Gawler Hospitals and centrally in Adelaide at the Lyell McEwin Hospital (NALHN) as a Senior Visiting Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.

He was a Senior Visiting Obstetrician at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital 1978 – 1988, and later as Senior Obstetrician, at Women’s and Children’s Hospital (formerly the Queen Victoria Hospital).

He has special interests in High Risk Obstetrics, laparoscopic surgery, vaginal reconstructive surgery, and the surgical correction of urinary incontinence.

Clinical research and case reports

Currently involved in NHMRC enquiry into prophylactic vitamin K administration to neonates

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2006 - 2018 Senior Visiting Medical Specialist in Maternal Fetal Medicine Women's and Children's Hospital
    1988 - 1995 Senior Visiting Medical Specialist (Obstetric Unit Head) Queen Victoria Hospital
    1985 - 1988 Senior Visiting Medical Specialist (Obstetric Unit Head) Queen Elizabeth Hospital
    1979 - 1995 Visiting Medical Specialist & Clinical Tutor Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University
    1978 - 2017 Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Private Practice
    1978 - 2017 Consultant and Specialist Medical Officer (Obstetrics & Gynaecology) Royal Australian Army Medical Corps
    1978 - 1985 Visiting Medical Specialist (Obstetrics, Family Planning, Recurrent Pregnancy Loss) Queen Elizabeth Hospital
    1978 - 1979 Visiting Medical Specialist (Obstetrics) Modbury Hospital
    1977 - 1978 Resident Obstetrician (Staff Specialist) Queen Elizabeth Hospital
    1976 - 1977 Senior Registrar in Obstetrics & Gynaecology Groote Schuur Hospital
    1973 - 1975 Registrar in Obstetrics & Gynaecology Queen Elizabeth Hospital
    1972 - 1972 Senior Resident Medical Officer (Obstetrics) Queen Elizabeth Hospital
    1971 - 1972 Regimental Medical Officer, Captain Royal Australian Army Medical Corps (RAAMC)
    1970 - 1970 Resident Medical Officer Royal Adelaide Hospital

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2018 Award Gold Medal Kerala Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology India -
    2018 Award Life Fellow 35-Year Continuous Service Award RANZCOG Australia -
    2018 Award Inaugural Distinguished Service Award Women's and Children's Hospital Network Australia -
    2014 Honour Honourary Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Udayana, Bali Indonesia -
    2013 Recognition Dean’s Citation for Clinical Teaching School of Medicine, University of Adelaide Australia -
    2012 Recognition Emeritus Professor Alastair MacLennan AO Citation for Clinical Teaching School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide Australia -
    2010 Honour Member of the Order of Australia (AM) General Division, Australian Honors Australia -
    2008 Award President's Medal RANZCOG Australia -
    2006 Honour Inaugural Inductee, SA Reproductive Medicine Hall of Fame RANZCOG Australia -
    1990 Award Dr Ida S. Scudder Medal Ida Scudder Oration, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore India -

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    1970 University of Adelaide Australia MBBS

  • Research Interests
    Early Origins of Health Pregnancy and Birth Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine Obstetrics and Gynaecology

  • Journals
    Year Citation
    2020 Chua, S. J., Morton, M. R., Svigos, J., Ross, D. M., & Kane, S. (2020). Use of romiplostim in pregnancy for refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: Two case reports with maternal and fetal outcomes and literature review. Obstetric Medicine, 13(1), 45-50.
    DOI Scopus12 WoS11 Europe PMC6
    2019 Svigos, J. (2019). The timing of repeat caesarean section after previous multiple caesarean sections — is there a dilemma?. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 126(8), 1014.
    DOI
    2019 Svigos, J., & Antonas, B. (2019). Male gender inequality and RANZCOG. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 59(6), E17.
    DOI
    2017 Svigos, J. (2017). Every vaginal delivery must count. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 57(3), E6.
    DOI
    2016 Du Plessis, L., Mol, B., & Svigos, J. (2016). The use of retrievable inferior vena cava filters in pregnancy: Another successful case report, but are we actually making a difference?. Obstetric Medicine, 9(3), 102-105.
    DOI Scopus5 WoS3 Europe PMC2
    2015 Dodd, J. M., Ahmed, S., Karnon, J., Umberger, W., Deussen, A. R., Tran, T., . . . Robinson, J. S. (2015). The cost-effectiveness of providing antenatal lifestyle advice for women who are overweight or obese: the LIMIT randomised trial. BMC Obesity, 2(1), 14-1-14-9.
    DOI Scopus16 Europe PMC13
    2015 Dodd, J. M., Ahmed, S., Karnon, J., Umberger, W., Deussen, A. R., Tran, T., . . . Robinson, J. S. (2015). The cost-effectiveness of providing antenatal lifestyle advice for women who are overweight or obese: the LIMIT randomised trial. BMC Obesity, 2(1), 14-1-14-9.
    DOI Scopus16 Europe PMC13
    2013 Svigos, J., Khurana, S., Munt, C., Sinhal, S., & Bernardo, J. (2013). Presentation of an umbilical cord cyst with a surprising jet: A case report of a patent urachus. F1000Research, 2, 38.
    DOI Scopus2 Europe PMC1
    2010 Svigos, J. (2010). Complementary medications and gynaecological surgery. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 50(6), 582-583.
    DOI
    2009 Svigos, J. (2009). The future of obstetrics and gynaecological generalists and gynaecological surgery. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 49(4), 445-446.
    DOI
    2006 Megadhana, W., Svigos, J., & Surya, G. (2006). Incarcerated uterine procidentia and vesical calculi: A case report. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 46(1), 59-60.
    DOI Scopus3 WoS1 Europe PMC5
    2004 Svigos, J., Ford, W. D. A., & McPhee, A. J. (2004). Isolated phrenic nerve palsy in a neonate at Caesarean section: A case report. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 44(5), 475-476.
    DOI WoS1
    2004 Allan, J., & Svigos, J. (2004). Re: Case report: Pregnancy from intracytoplasmic injection of a frozen-thawed oocyte [1]. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 44(6), 588.
    DOI Scopus14 Europe PMC7
    2004 Svigos, J. (2004). A simple alternative measure to control severe post partum haemorrhage.. The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology, 44(6), 588.
    DOI
    2001 Svigos, J. M. (2001). The fetal inflammatory response syndrome and cerebral palsy: Yet another challenge and dilemma for the obstetrician. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 41(2), 170-176.
    DOI Scopus26 WoS19 Europe PMC10
    1999 Turnbull, D., Wilkinson, C., Yaser, A., Carty, V., Svigos, J., & Robinson, J. (1999). Women's role and satisfaction in the decision to have a caesarean section. Medical Journal of Australia, 170(12), 580-583.
    DOI Scopus62 WoS49 Europe PMC42
    1994 Svigos, J. M., & Norman, J. (1994). Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria and Pregnancy. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 34(1), 104-106.
    DOI Scopus10 WoS8 Europe PMC6
    1991 Callen, D. F., Fernandez, H., Hull, Y. J., Svigos, J. M., Chambers, H. M., & Sutherland, G. R. (1991). A normal 46,XX infant with a 46,XX/ 69.XXY placenta: A major contribution to the placenta is from a resorbed twin. Prenatal Diagnosis, 11(7), 437-442.
    DOI Scopus17 WoS10 Europe PMC8
    1991 Svigos, J. M. (1991). Alternative styles of perinatal care [9]. Medical Journal of Australia, 154(9), 640.
    DOI
    1990 Svigos, J., Rudzki, Z., & Morris, D. (1990). Selective feticide in twin pregnancy: A case report. Medical Journal of Australia, 152(9), 492-494.
    DOI Scopus4
    1990 Svigos, J. M., Cave, D. G., Vigneswaran, R., Resch, A., & Christiansen, J. (1990). Silastic Cup Vacuum Extractor of Forceps: A Comparative Study. Asia‐Oceania Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 16(4), 323-327.
    DOI Scopus5 Europe PMC1
    1990 RUDZKI, Z., HALL, J., HUTCHINS, C., SVIGOS, J., & MORRIS, D. (1990). Prenatal Diagnosis of β‐Thalassemia in a Twin Pregnancy Using Allele‐Specific Oligonucleotides. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 612(1), 517-518.
    DOI
    1990 Svigos, J. M. (1990). Endometriosis and clomiphene citrate. The Lancet, 335(8687), 475.
    DOI Scopus1
    1989 Haan, E. A., Furness, M. E., Knowles, S., Morris, L. L., Scott, G., Svigos, J. M., & Vigneswaren, R. (1989). Osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism: Report of a further case with manifestations similar to those of types I and III. American Journal of Medical Genetics, 33(2), 224-227.
    DOI Scopus34 WoS34 Europe PMC26
    1987 Svigos, J. M. (1987). Early Midtrimester Oligohydramnios: A Sign of Poor Fetal Prognosis. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 27(2), 90-91.
    DOI Scopus3
    1984 Svigos, J. M. (1984). Epilepsy and Pregnancy. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 24(3), 182-185.
    DOI Scopus29 Europe PMC10
    1982 Svigos, J. (1982). Preliminary experience with the use of human chorionic gonadotrophin therapy in women with repeated abortion.. Clinical reproduction and fertility, 1(2), 131-135.
    Scopus15 Europe PMC7
    1981 Mudge, T. J., Svigos, J., & Jones, W. R. (1981). Alice through the laparoscope. The place of laparoscopy in an infertility service. Medical Journal of Australia, 1(11), 589-590.
    DOI Scopus2 Europe PMC1
    1981 Svigos, J. M. (1981). The macrosomic infant. A high-risk complication. Medical Journal of Australia, 1(5), 245-246.
    DOI Scopus11 Europe PMC8
    1981 Svigos, J. M., Stewart‐Rattray, S. F., & Pridmore, B. R. (1981). Meconium‐Stained Liquor at Second Trimester Amniocentesis — Is it Significant?. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 21(1), 5-6.
    DOI Scopus8 Europe PMC3
    1979 Matthews, C. D., Broom, T. J., Crawshaw, K. M., Hopkins, R. E., Kerin, J. F., & Svigos, J. M. (1979). The influence of insemination timing and semen characteristics on the efficiency of a donar insemination program. Fertility and Sterility, 31(1), 45-47.
    DOI Scopus25 Europe PMC7
    1978 Svigos, J., Hopkins, R., & Matthews, C. (1978). Gestational trophoblastic disease associated with the use of donor sperm. Infertility, 1(2), 185-188.
    1978 Svigos, J. M., Cox, L. W., Kirkland, J. A., & Harvey, N. D. M. (1978). Prognostic Aspects of Endometrial Carcinoma. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 18(4), 253-258.
    DOI Scopus1
    1978 Matthews, C. D., Kerin, J. F. P., Hopkins, R., Wheatley, B. P., Makin, M., & Svigos, J. M. (1978). The characterisation of thawed semen, and the timing and route of insemination associated with conception in the human. International Journal of Fertility, 23(2), 158-159.
    Scopus1 WoS2 Europe PMC1
    1977 Svigos, J. M., & Matthews, C. D. (1977). Assessment and treatment of female urinary incontinence by cystometrogram and bladder retraining programs. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 50(1), 9-12.
    Scopus24 WoS20 Europe PMC12
    1977 Kerin, J. F., Matthews, C. D., Svigos, J. M., Makin, A. E., Symons, R. G., & Smeaton, T. C. (1977). Linear and quantitative migration of stored sperm through cervical mucus during the periovular period. Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey, 32(2), 109-110.
    DOI
    1977 Svigos, J. (1977). Monitoring of high-risk pregnancy.. The Australasian nurses journal, 6(10), 22-23.
    1977 Svigos, J. M., & Strasburg, E. R. (1977). Phaeochromocytoma and pregnancy: a case report. South African Medical Journal, 52(12), 496-498.
    Scopus2 Europe PMC1
    1976 Kerin, J. F., Matthews, C. D., Svigos, J. M., Makin, A. E., Symons, R. G., & Smeaton, T. C. (1976). Linear and quantitative migration of stored sperm through cervical mucus during the periovular period. Fertility and Sterility, 27(9), 1054-1058.
    DOI Scopus21 WoS19 Europe PMC9
    1976 Kerin, J. F., Matthews, C. D., Svigos, J. M., & Makin, M. (1976). Proceedings: Migration of stored human spermatozoa through cervical mucus in relation to preovulatory LH surge.. Journal of reproduction and fertility, 46(2), 499-500.
    DOI Scopus3
    1975 Matthews, C. D., Elmslie, R. G., Clapp, K. H., & Svigos, J. M. (1975). The frequency of genital Mycoplasma infection in human fertility. Fertility and Sterility, 26(10), 988-990.
    DOI Scopus30 Europe PMC13
    1974 Matthews, C. D., Elmslie, R. G., Clapp, K. H., & Svigos, J. M. (1974). MYCOPLASMA AND FERTILITY. The Lancet, 304(7872), 108.
    DOI

  • Book Chapters
    Year Citation
    2010 Svigos, J., Dodd, J., & Robinson, J. (2010). Prelabor rupture of the membranes. In D. James (Ed.), High Risk Pregnancy: Management Options (4th ed., pp. 1091-1098). Australia: Elsevier Saunders.
    2010 Svigos, J., Dodd, J., & Robinson, J. (2010). Threatened and actual preterm labor including mode of delivery. In D. James (Ed.), High Risk Pregnancy: Management Options (4th ed., pp. 1075-1090). Australia: Elsevier Saunders.
    2006 Svigos, J., Robinson, J., & Vigneswaran, R. (2006). Threatened and actual preterm labor including mode of delivery. In High risk pregnancy: Management options (3rd ed., pp. 1304-1320). Edinburgh: Elsevier.
    2006 Robinson, J., Svigos, J., & Vigneswaran, R. (2006). Prelabour rupture of the membranes. In D. K. James, P. J. Steer, C. P. Weiner, & B. Gonik (Eds.), High risk pregnancy: Management options (3rd ed., pp. 1321-1333). Philadelphia: Elsevier.
    DOI

  • Conference Papers
    Year Citation
    1979 SVIGOS, J. M., MATTHEWS, C. D., & MAKIN, A. E. (1979). ANALYSIS OF 7 SAMPLES FROM FERTILE MEN. In AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY Vol. 19 (pp. 184). AUSTRALIAN NZ J OBSTET GYNAEC.
    1978 KERIN, J. F. P., MATTHEWS, C. D., HOPKINS, R. E., & SVIGOS, J. M. (1978). CERVICAL-MUCUS AND HORMONAL PROFILES IN CONCEPTUAL CYCLES OF WOMEN UNDERGOING DONOR ARTIFICIAL-INSEMINATION. In AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY Vol. 18 (pp. 289). AUSTRALIAN NZ J OBSTET GYNAEC.
    1976 KERIN, J. F. P., MATTHEWS, C. D., SVIGOS, J. M., & MAKIN, M. (1976). MIGRATION OF STORED HUMAN SPERMATOZOA THROUGH CERVICAL-MUCUS IN RELATION TO PREOVULATORY LH SURGE. In JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTION AND FERTILITY Vol. 46 (pp. 499-500). J REPROD FERTIL INC.
    WoS2

Over 40 years of teaching and examining V year medical students.

Teaching, mentoring, coaching and examining post graduate trainees and prevocational registrars RANZCOG and GP Obstetricians, ACMI midwives and midwifery students.

Teaching and external examiner of trainees of the Indonesian College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

2011 & 2012: AusAID Funding $250,000 for the training of 6 Indonesian post graduates in Maternal Fetal Medicine in Australia for 2 month ALA Fellowships

 

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2019 - ongoing Member Global Health Committee RANZCOG Australia
    2016 - 2019 Member Perinatal Practice Guidelines Management Committee SA Health Australia
    2005 - 2005 Member National Working Party on Alcohol in Pregnancy Department of Health Australia
    1995 - 2018 Member Antenatal Diagnosis and Counselling Service Women's and Children's Hospital Australia
    1995 - 2017 Chair Weekly Obstetric Grand Round Women's and Children's Hospital Australia

  • Consulting/Advisories
    Date Institution Department Organisation Type Country
    2006 - ongoing Expert Witness Register RANZCOG Legislative and political Australia
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