In ExpertVerse Conversation with Dr. Potluri Lakshmi Tejeswini on Advancing Women’s Healthcare, High-Risk Pregnancy Care, and Maternal Wellness

ExpertVerse: What inspired you to pursue obstetrics, gynecology, and advanced sub-specializations such as reproductive immunology and sexual health?

Dr. Tejeswini: “Medicine found me through a deep desire to witness and protect life at its most vulnerable and miraculous stages. Obstetrics and gynecology offer a unique privilege—caring for women across every phase of their lives, from adolescence through motherhood and beyond. Expanding into reproductive immunology and sexual health was a natural evolution; I realized that addressing complex clinical challenges requires looking beyond standard protocols and understanding the intricate immune and hormonal layers of women’s bodies.”

ExpertVerse: Throughout your career, from academic institutions such as Malla Reddy to your current role as Chief Consultant; how have teaching and clinical research shaped your approach to patient care?

Dr. Tejeswini: “Teaching medical students and residents forces you to stay sharp, humble, and deeply grounded in scientific evidence. When you explain why a treatment works to inquisitive minds, your own clinical reasoning deepens. Research keeps me questioning the status quo, whether it involves evaluating post-cesarean scars or refining surgical approaches for perimenopausal fibroids. It transforms clinical practice from a routine into an evolving art of healing.”

ExpertVerse: High-risk pregnancies and complications such as bleeding during pregnancy require immense precision and composure under pressure. How do you manage these high-stakes clinical situations?

Dr. Tejeswini: “In high-stakes obstetrics, panic is never an option, clarity and prompt action are. Every second counts when managing complications such as bleeding during pregnancy or severe gestational disorders. My philosophy is rooted in proactive preparation, trusting evidence-based protocols, such as our work with magnesium sulfate in gestosis, and maintaining clear, reassuring communication with the patient and her family.”

ExpertVerse: What are some of the most common misconceptions you encounter among women regarding their health, and how do you help them overcome these?

Dr. Tejeswini: “The most pervasive misconception is that chronic pelvic pain, irregular cycles, or perimenopausal discomfort are things women ‘just have to live with.’ Many women constantly put everyone else’s needs before their own, normalizing symptoms until they become severe. My role is to help them unlearn that mindset. I tell my patients: listening to your body is not a luxury; it is a biological necessity.”

ExpertVerse: Looking ahead, what is your ultimate vision for women’s healthcare, and what message would you like to share with ExpertVerse readers?

Dr. Tejeswini: “My vision is a world where proactive women’s health education helps prevent avoidable complications, and where specialized care is compassionate, accessible, and comprehensive. To every woman reading this: prioritizing women’s health is not only an investment in individual well-being but also in the health and well-being of families.”