Wendy Savage was born in South London in 1935. Educated at Croydon High School for Girls and Girton College, Cambridge, she started her clinical training at the London Hospital Medical College in the East End of London in 1957.

Qualified from Cambridge and the London Hospital Medical College in 1960. Worked in the USA, Nigeria, Kenya before obtaining MRCOG in 1971. Went to New Zealand as specialist in Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Venereology and Family Planning in 1973. In 1977 became Senior Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Honorary Consultant at the London Hospital Medical College. In 1985 elected Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists during suspension from practice on false charges of incompetence. Reinstated in 1986 as Honorary Consultant at the London now Royal London Hospital. Became Honorary Visiting Professor at Middlesex University in November 1991 to date. In 2000 presented with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science at University of Greenwich. Retired from the Medical School of St Bartholomews and the Royal London Hospital on 30.9.00.

Author and co-author of several books including a Savage Enquiry (Virago 1986) and Birth and Power (2007) and Caesarean Birth in Britain (Middlesex University Press 1993) with Colin Francome, Helen Churchill and Helen Lewison (of the NCT), revised edition published 2006 with Helen Churchill and Colin Francome. Over 45 papers published on a number of topics including induced abortion, sexually transmitted disease, childbirth, and caesarean section.