Marion's mums-to-be are always in safe hands

A midwife has been given a top award for going beyond the call of duty after being nominated by a grateful mum she helped throughout pregnancy.

Marion Campbell, who is a community midwife at Carmondean health centre in Livingston, was chosen as Scotland's Johnson's Baby mums' midwife of the year after being nominated by mother Sarah Drummond.

Ms Drummond, 29, from Knightsridge, near Livingston, said the midwife made a significant impact throughout the pregnancy and birth of her son Ryan, now ten months old.

She had serious complications during her pregnancy through pre-eclampsia – a condition which results in high blood pressure and liver problems.

The condition was a nightmare for the expectant mum, but Marion's soothing care and attention helped her and husband David through it.

"Marion is furious with me for nominating her because she is so modest, but she was just great," said Ms Drummond, a resource planner for a communications company.

"Some of the mums grumped about their midwives but Marion was like a new mum for me and just wouldn't let anything go wrong. She was very reassuring in my darker moments when my liver was going nuts.

"She visited me at the house regularly and when I was in the hospital and she was always there for me at the other end of the phone. She didn't make you feel daft with silly questions either. She really deserves this award."

Mrs Campbell received her award at a ceremony in London's Kensington Gardens Hotel last weekend and was "absolutely delighted".

She has been a midwife for 29 years after training as a nurse while she was in the army for five years.

She said: "I was shocked at first because I am only doing my everyday job, but it's really nice that someone thinks I should get an award for it.

"I do love my job. It's very rewarding, especially being a community midwife, because you are with women all the way through their pregnancies and become part of their lives.

"The only drawback is I can't get my shopping done because I meet so many mums I've worked with and spend ages talking to them all."

The award is in partnership with the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and judges chose her from six other hopefuls from throughout Scotland for providing emotional care and a high level of clinical practice, amongst other attributes.

Louise Silverton, deputy general secretary of RCM, said: "While there were many amazing midwives nominated, the judges felt Marion stood out as someone who deserved to be recognised for their fantastic achievements."