In this portal you will be able to register for the CMV Webinar and submit questions to the panel for discussion. The webinar will be followed by a focused episode of Talking O&G: A RANZCOG Podcast, distilling key takeaways from the statement in an accessible format. To be published in early 2027.
The RANZCOG Prevention of Congenital CMV Infection (C-Obs 64) Statement underwent an interim update in 2026 to align with current national and international guidance and include identified priorities of people with lived experience of CMV in pregnancy. We invite you to join an exclusive webinar featuring an expert panel discussion of the key changes to the statement and what this means in practice.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that is often asymptomatic and infection is usually passed on via close contact with saliva, urine, nasal secretions, or other body fluids. This process can be common in children as they tend to spend a longer time together, and in close proximity. Women who contract a CMV infection while pregnant may also pass the virus to the baby, and this can cause serious issues such as hearing loss, developmental delay, disability, infant death or the possibility of developing health problems in later childhood. There is currently no licensed vaccine for CMV.
The RANZCOG Prevention of Congenital CMV Infection (C-Obs 64) Statement aims to provide guidance on CMV risk-reduction measures and testing for pregnant women and their babies to reduce congenital CMV infection.
The webinar will provide an opportunity to hear directly from the experts involved in prevention of CMV, as well individuals with lived experience of CMV. The discussion will explore up to date information and practical insights to help you apply recommendations in clinical settings. You are invited to submit your questions about CMV when you register for the webinar.
RANZCOG currently uses the term ‘woman’ in its documents to include all individuals requiring obstetric and gynaecological healthcare, regardless of their gender identity. The College is committed to providing inclusive care and supporting all individuals requiring O&G healthcare, as well as all members providing that care.
Further details regarding this are below:
Time: 19.00 AEDT
Date: Monday 23 November 2026
Chair:
Dr Nisha Khot
Dr Nisha Khot is the President of RANZCOG, 2025-2027, the third female president in the past 25 years. Dr Khot is the current clinical director of obstetrics and gynaecology at Peninsula Health in Melbourne. She trained in India and the UK before moving to Australia. In addition to being President of RANZCOG, she also Chairs the Board of Multicultural Centre for Women's Health (MCWH), a not-for-profit organisation providing health education to women from multicultural communities. She is an examiner for both Fellowship and Advanced Procedural examinations.
She co-chairs the Australian Living Guidelines in Pregnancy and Postpartum Group. She is passionate about gender equity and diversity especially in healthcare leadership.
Panellists:
Prof Lisa Hui
Lisa Hui is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health at the University of Melbourne, Group Leader of Reproductive Epidemiology at Murdoch Children's Research Institute, and a maternal fetal medicine specialist at Mercy Hospital for Women. Her research focuses on prenatal screening, perinatal genomics, and congenital infections. She leads national and international guideline development in prenatal screening and has established a translational research program spanning perinatal epidemiology, genomics, consumer partnerships, and policy impact.
Hannah Croker
Hannah Croker is the Midwifery Unit Manager at Bowral Hospital, NSW. She has a Bachelor of Health Science/ Masters of Nursing at Sydney University, a Graduate Diploma in Midwifery at UTS and Master of Midwifery Studies at University of Newcastle. She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
Hannah is a passionate congenital CMV advocate, bringing both professional expertise and lived experience following her son’s diagnosis with congenital CMV. She is committed to improving awareness, education and prevention of congenital CMV among health professionals and families. Hannah is involved in CMV advocacy and education across Australia and is committed to ensuring women and families have the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about CMV in pregnancy.
Dr Natalia Rode
Dr Natalia Rode is a GP, medical educator and CMV researcher based in Naarm/ Melbourne. Natalia has a particular interest in sexual health, women’s health and perinatal care. She has been working with Professor Lisa Hui since 2022, exploring Australian GP awareness of, and attitudes towards, CMV in pregnancy. She hopes that soon all GPs who provide preconception and pregnancy care will be educating their patients about CMV!
Ms Ady Priday
Ady Priday is a highly experienced and compassionate New Zealand-based midwife with over 30 years of clinical experience.Her leadership roles include being a midwifery lecturer, lead maternity carer, and lead for a maternal immunization trial.Ady has been the midwife representative on RPGC for the last council and again for the current council. She has also been a member of multiple Guideline Development Groups including: Home Birth, Water immersion, Immunisations, Pre-pregnancy, Care in Labour, Management of complications of the second stage of labour, Birth After Caesarean. For her thesis, she developed the ‘Early Pregnancy Midwifery Care’ service, addressing gaps in care for women between pregnancy confirmation and accessing midwifery or obstetric care, particularly in high-deprivation areas where late presentations are common.Known for her compassionate, evidence-based approach, Ady empowers women through informed decision-making, ensuring personalized, culturally safe care. She is dedicated to equity of care with a focus on improving maternal and newborn care in vulnerable communities.
