DENISE AHMED describes herself as a big softie but is already making a name for herself as a trainee midwife after picking up a national award.

The 33-year-old Glaswegian remains modest about being named Inspirational Student of the Year in the ThinkMoney awards but admits she was left speechless after receiving an e-mail saying she had won.

“It was a real shock,” said the mother of four, who admits burning the midnight oil with her books in pursuit of becoming a qualified midwife.

She’s not doing badly, either.

Denise has already helped deliver nearly 30 babies, dividing her time between university and hands-on experience at Hillingdon Hospital’s maternity unit.

She’s no stranger to the labour wards, having had all four of her children at the hospital, as well as meeting the woman who inspired her to become a midwife.

One of the hospital’s longest-serving and recently-retired midwifes, Seleena Yates, convinced Denise to choose midwifery as a career.

Denise 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.”

Denise says she still sheds a tear when a baby is delivered, despite being focused on the job.

“I guess I should learn not to but it is such an emotional moment,” she said. “I just feel privileged to be part of it.”

Her caring nature and willingness to go the extra mile - she stayed on duty for 14 hours for one mother - has won her a lot of flowers and well-wishers.

“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,” she said. Hillingdon has my heart.”

Denise has also seen one of the most unique sights in childbirth when two babies were delivered from the womb with their embryotic sacs intact. It’s something that happens in one in 80,000 births.

She has seen it happen twice.

Denise added: “Every baby is special. I don’t want to forget any of them, so I keep count with a string of coloured beads at home. The kids help me add one for each birth.”

It looks like she’s going to need a bigger piece of string.