A DEDICATED maternity worker was congratulated on 30 years well spent helping new mums and dads in Braintree.

Linda Ould, 65, and from Braintree, works as a maternity care assistant at the WJC Birth Centre at St Michael’s Health Centre, on Rayne Road, Braintree.

She has worked at the centre for an incredible 30 years and was congratulated on Thursday for reaching the milestone and presented with flowers and cakes by colleagues.

Mrs Ould, who has lived in Braintree for 42 years, has seen many changes over the years and moved with the centre when it was transferred from the Julien Courtauld Hospital.

She said: “It has slightly lost the homely feel we had at the previous centre but we have got better rooms here and the whole unit was refurbished just for us.

“Some things have changed and some things have gone around full circle.

“Lots of mums go home so quickly now.

“Mothers used to stay in for ten days with their first baby, now they can go home from just six hours.”

Maternity care assistants spend time with mothers before, during and after the birth and Mrs Ould has met hundreds of expectant parents since she started in 1987.

She said: “We see the ladies from when they first come in until after they have given birth.

“You really get to know the ladies as we spend so much time with them.

“Helping and supporting the mums is so rewarding.

“I love it here and really enjoy being in with the deliveries.

“We work as a team here - everybody helps each other out and supports each other.”

“I would tell anyone to think about it as a career, especially if you enjoy helping people or being around babies.”