A trainee midwife who has helped deliver almost 30 babies has won a national award for her dedication to the profession.
Denise Ahmed said she was left speechless when she was named Thinkmoney's Inspirational Student of the Year for 2014.
The 33-year-old Glaswegian, who now lives in Pield Heath Road, Hillingdon, divides her time between studying at the University of West London and working at Hillingdon Hospital’s maternity unit.
She is no stranger to the labour wards, having given birth to all four of her own children at the hospital on Pield Heath Road, where she also met the woman who inspired her to become a midwife, recently-retired Seleena Yates, one of hospital’s longest-serving midwives.
Mrs Ahmed said: “I always knew I wanted more from life and Seleena provided the inspiration as I kept bumping into her each time I had a new baby.
“She is one of those people you meet and never forget, so once my youngest child was in school I took the plunge.
"If I can be half the midwife Seleena was I would be delighted. Her patience and care are a real inspiration and she sums up what a good midwife should be.”
The judges clearly thought that willingness to go the extra mile had rubbed off on Mrs Ahmed, who once stayed on duty for 14 hours to care for one mother.
She said: “The labour wards are pressured but it’s a good team and my greatest wish is to get a full-time job here when I qualify.
"Hillingdon has my heart.”
Mrs Ahmed has also seen one of the most unique sights in childbirth - not once but twice - when two babies were delivered with their embryotic sacs intact - something that happens in only one in 80,000 births.
Mrs Ahmed, who describes herself as a "big softie", said: “Every baby is special. I don’t want to forget any of them so keep count with a string of coloured beds at home.
"The kids help me add one for each birth.”
She added: "I still cry when a baby is delivered. I guess I should learn not to but it is such an emotional moment. I just feel privileged to be part of it.”
