As a first time older mum I was referred to Claude via the Werribee Mercy. I had no knowledge of gynae/obs in my area. In fact, I found these types of specialist doctors few and far between in the western suburbs. Also all my girlfriends lived in the eastern suburbs so I couldn't use word of mouth to help me out. I found Claude a wonderful doctor. I don't suffer fools and therefore found Claude's straight forward approach suited my personality. My husband and I found Claude very easy to get along with and appreciated his warped sense of humour. Claude delivered our beautiful baby girl via emergency caesar without issue. My recovery was speedy - so much so that I left hospital 3 days later and had my stitches out on the 4th day. Penny is also wonderful and she compliments Claude's brusque nature (if you think he has one). Yes, the wait times were long but understandable if he was called away to deliver a baby. I would call prior to my appointment and would delay my arrival at his surgery if he was running late. If you are serious about having a happy and healthy pregnancy and want a doctor who isn't going to blow sunshine up your backside when things may not be going well then don't see Claude. But if you are interested in what happens to you and your baby then you couldn't find a better doctor.

Approximate cost: $400

I had Dr Calandra as my OB for my first delivery. Having no cue about obstetricians, I just chose him to be my OB as a friend of mine referred him as good...Despite many unfortunate birthstories of Dr Calandra, I went ahead for the first appointment..the clinic was not any fancy thing...it is an old house and furnished at its bare minimum...Believe me I was not impressed.....It is quite true that he is not one of those docs who will try to please you or soothe you out of pain....after couple of appointments..my feeling was that he is among those docs who are highly skilled and dedicated to provide service to the community for a very reasonable or rather lowest fee. He is very frank...I was 40 weeks and still did not get any pains ...he tried to break my waters but I could not handle it...so he was very angry about it....but infact whatever he said at that time was true...However by God's grace, my waters broke next day and I was induced...He was there at the right time and was very joyous....he did my delivery very quickly and the STITCHES were amazing....they healed in about 2 weeks time....THANKS a lot to Dr Calandra and he is a very skilled doctor......All I can say is Don't judge the book by its cover....also mistakes do happen unfortunately by great people...but that's not the whole story....

Dr Calandra is an extremely busy professional, he services a lot of hospitals in the western sunurbs.I had my first two sets of twins at East Melbourne with Dr Rasmassen,and Chow, I thought I would never be able to find someone in their class and high stead when I moved over this side of the city.
I had heard mixed reviews about Dr Calandra, and being a big person felt a little intimidated at first at his straightforwardness, but he is an amazing person and in 7weeks he will be performing my 5th c-section and delivering my 7th child.I am worried about the ammount of c-sections I have had,but have complete unquestionable faith in Dr Calandra.My 6th c-section I was walking straight the very next day,old fashioned staples i think is his secret.
I have read so many reviews on the internet about this Doctor, and I think it's appalling I don't know when this man sleeps,as for the waiting time, when it's your turn and he takes time to check your health,and your child's,that's what he is doing for many others whilst you are waiting.
Doctor Calandra you are a great man to do what you do.THANK YOU.

Had surgery with Dr Calandra recently and he was fantastic. Have had very little pain post op and instead of large incision one Dr said i would need Dr Calandra carried out procedure with laproscopy so I have minimal scarring. His staff are incredibly helpful. The treatment I received was excellent.

Dr Calandra operated on me at Sunshine Hospital 22/04/10 I had Bladder & Vaginal repair surgery. I woke up with NO pain (not even requiring panadol) Left hospital 3 days later and have been to my DR and everything has healed great. I think Dr Calandra is a miracle worker, first time I have'nt had to wear pads in 19 years. I would recommend him to my friends as my friends recomended him to me. He is a highly skilled surgeon and I am very thankful he was my surgeon.

Approximate cost: $public

I found that Dr Calandra does things very fast, he wants you in and out as quick as possible. I don't feel all that comfortable asking question etc and the wait time is at least 2 hours each visit. Apart from that apparently he is a great Dr and highly recommended although i have not had my baby yet, so far i would suggest seeing someone else if possible.

Approximate cost: $400

Dr Colandra filled in for my obstetrician with the birth of my first child. He had no bedside manner but that was because there was no previous connection. I was induced by choice and when the baby finally decided he was coming Dr Colandra was there at 2am to oversee his arrival. Just after giving birth my baby stopped breathing so Colandra stopped stitching me up and spent the next 5 minutes resuscitating him. It was because of his extreme professionalism that my little boy is here today and the reason I chose him for the (thankfully much easier) birth of my little girl. His people skills are much better the second time arround. First time mothers need to know the do's and don'ts it might not be what you want to hear but it is necessary for both mother and babies health. He is blunt but don't take it to heart he has a quirky sense of humour.

I may be bias in some way as I have known Dr C from an early age when he first was our family doctor. He has delivered my first child and I'm now onto my second and wouldn't change my OB Gynea even with all the horror stories I've heard.
You may think the man has no sense of humour (it's warped! trust me he can be quite funny), Is very rude (he tells you as it is, if you're fat your fat! face it, why sugar coat it!) and if you don't ask the questions how's he suppose to answer them. And Yes! he may be rough with his bedside manner, but his main priority is the baby's welfare.
Think about it seriously! would you rather see someone who has a great personality and knows absolutely nothing about women's issues. Or the wet fish who has spent a majority of his life focusing and mastering his talent on women's issues. I know who I'de want to see........

If you want a Doctor that is going to gush over you and be excited for you about the fact that you are pregnant, and give you advice and be your mentor and your guide, then don't go to Dr Calandra. HOWEVER, if you want a Dr that is to the point, doesn't muck around, is EXCELLENT in emergencies and above all is THE best Dr to have in case of an emergency, then Dr Calandra is definitely the one to go to. People say his bedside manner is terrible, but that is only because he doesn't engage you in conversation. His only priority os to make sure your baby is safe and healthy, not that you feel all warm and fuzzy.
There are long waiting periods, but that is because Dr Calandra has a LOT of patients...and the reason that he has a LOT of patients...is because he is the BEST IN THE FIELD. You may wait for ages because he has had to go out and deliver a baby, but that should be expected, as without a doubt women will be left waiting in his surgery when you go into labour!
I absolutely recommend him as the best Dr to deliver your child. I had my first one with him and will have my 2nd one with him in January. I feel comfortable and completely confident in his abilities.

Dr Claude Calandra was absolutely rude when i saw him as a pregnant patient, he did not speak to me about my pregnancy at all but rambled off a list of demands that he wanted done/changed before next visit. I never saw him again! Even seeing him as a Dr with my Mother inlaw he was extremely late, hadn't read her file prior. Took 10 mins to retrieve her file and was absolutely rude again in giving her results.