Mum and daughter duo deliver baby
The delivery of a baby in the maternity theatre was a real unique family affair, after a healthy baby was delivered by caesarean section and welcomed into the world – by a mother-daughter surgical team.
It’s very rare for two family members to work together as surgeons in the same area of medicine – and even more unusual for them to perform surgeries on the same day – but that’s what happened at Basildon Hospital.
Foundation doctor Amina Waheed isn’t just gaining vital hands-on experience as part of her training – she’s doing it under the mentorship of her own mum, Miss Munazza Siddiqa, a Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology with almost 20 years’ experience.
Amina said: “Watching both my parents work in medicine – my mum in obstetrics and my dad as an orthopaedic surgeon – is what inspired me to go into this profession.
“It’s a real privilege to now be able to work alongside my mum, supporting families at one of the most important moments of their lives.”
The C-section was done with expertise and the two worked together well to provide a good outcome for mum and baby.
Miss Siddiqa said: “It’s been incredibly special to share this experience with my daughter. We represent different generations of skilled professionals coming together to make sure the patient is at the centre of their care, and that they feel listened to and valued. Working in obstetrics is a team effort - involving doctors, anaesthetists, midwives and theatres staff – which was extra special today as our family helped another bring their own baby into the world.”
For the patient, from Essex, who’s first child was delivered by the mother-daughter duo, the unique setup offered added reassurance.
She said: “I couldn’t believe it when they told me a mother and daughter would be delivering my baby. They made me feel so at ease - you could tell they trusted each other completely. It felt like I was being cared for by a family, which made the whole experience even more special.”