Leaders

For an obstetrician, some decisions leave little room for hesitation. A routine pregnancy can become high-risk within hours, a long-awaited fertility journey can demand an entirely different clinical approach, and an emergency in the delivery room can require a decision that determines the safety of a mother and her baby.

In such moments, medical knowledge is only one part of the equation. Experience, surgical judgement, timely intervention and the ability to reassure a woman through uncertainty become just as important.

This demanding intersection of precision and empathy is where Dr. Kavitha Pujar has spent more than two decades of her career. Director of Sai Prabha Clinic and Diagnostic Center and associated with Cloudnine Hospital, HRBR Layout, she is an obstetrician and gynaecologist, laparoscopic surgeon and fertility specialist with over 21 years of experience. Her practice spans high-risk pregnancies, fertility and reproductive medicine, and gynaecological surgery.

Interestingly, her journey began with surgery rather than obstetrics. Fascinated by the precision involved in surgical intervention and its potential to offer definitive solutions, she was naturally inclined towards a surgical speciality during her undergraduate years.

An internship in obstetrics changed the direction of that ambition. Pregnancy introduced her to a different dimension of medicine—one where a doctor accompanies a woman through a transformative journey while simultaneously caring for an unborn child.

For Dr. Pujar, Obstetrics and Gynaecology became the rare speciality that brought together everything she valued in medicine: the intellectual rigour of science, the precision of surgery and the deeply human responsibility of caring for women. That philosophy continues to define her practice today, strengthened by experience, evolving technology and a belief that good clinical care must remain deeply personal.

Over more than two decades in women’s healthcare, how has your approach to clinical practice evolved?

My journey has been a continuous process of learning and refinement rather than a series of isolated milestones. Early in my career, I relied heavily on investigations and direct clinical solutions. With experience, I learned to view every patient more holistically, considering not only the medical condition but also her emotional concerns and personal circumstances.

My communication, counselling and clinical judgement have become more mature over the years. At the same time, I have continuously updated myself with advances in IVF, fertility care and surgical techniques. Today, I see clinical excellence as a combination of knowledge, precision, empathy and patient-centred decision-making.

How has your involvement in teaching shaped you as a clinician and mentor?

I believe medicine rests on three interconnected pillars: patient care, education and research. Teaching younger doctors has strengthened my own clinical practice because it requires me to stay updated and critically examine the way I approach different cases. I have been involved in training DNB students, guiding them in surgeries, thesis work and clinical discussions.

For me, mentoring goes beyond transferring medical knowledge. I try to help young doctors develop sound judgement, responsibility, empathy and confidence in patient care. When we train capable and compassionate doctors, we are also contributing to the quality of healthcare that future generations of patients will receive.

Which technological advances do you believe are transforming women’s healthcare today?

Women’s healthcare has evolved considerably with advances in telemedicine, minimally invasive procedures, robotic surgery, fertility preservation and aesthetic gynaecology. Telemedicine has improved access for patients who may not be able to reach specialists easily, while developments such as egg freezing, embryo freezing and improved sperm-selection techniques have strengthened fertility care. Laser-based and minimally invasive treatments are also expanding possibilities in gynaecology.

I have incorporated several of these advances into my practice where clinically appropriate. However, I strongly believe technology should support, not replace, the human connection. The best outcomes come when innovation, clinical judgement and empathy work together in patient care.

How do you address misconceptions around normal delivery and Caesarean section, especially in high-risk pregnancies?

I always explain to patients that the mode of delivery should be decided according to what is safest for the mother and baby. Normal vaginal delivery is preferable when conditions are favourable, but not every pregnancy can be managed that way. Factors such as severe hypertension, advanced maternal age, cardiac conditions, obstructed labour or foetal distress may make a Caesarean section necessary.

A C-section should never be seen as a sign of weakness when it is medically indicated. Good antenatal care helps us identify risks early, counsel families properly and plan delivery in an appropriate centre, especially for women with high-risk pregnancies.

What would you advise women who rely on Google or AI tools for medical information?

I think digital platforms and AI can be useful for gaining basic information, but they should never be used as substitutes for professional medical consultation. Symptoms need to be interpreted in the context of a patient’s history, examination and investigations, which an online tool cannot fully assess.

I have seen patients become unnecessarily anxious after searching symptoms online, while others delay treatment or self-medicate and worsen their condition. My advice is to use technology to become informed, not to diagnose or treat yourself. A qualified doctor or specialist remains essential for accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment and personalised medical guidance.

Dr. Kavitha Pujar, Gynecologist, Obstetrician and Gynecologist

Dr. Kavitha Pujar is Director of Sai Prabha Clinic and Diagnostic Center and is associated with Cloudnine Hospital, HRBR Layout. With over 21 years of experience, she specialises in obstetrics, gynaecology, fertility care, high-risk pregnancies and laparoscopic surgery, combining clinical precision with an empathetic, patient-centred approach to women’s healthcare.