From Paramedic Dreams to Midwifery Magic: being a student in Abu Dhabi

For the past few years, we have periodically published articles tracing the development of a new Midwifery programme in Abu Dhabi. The programme is now established, and this reflective article shares the journey of Huda Husain Alhammadi, midwife, in her experience as a student midwife.

If someone had told me five years ago that I would fall in love with midwifery, I probably would have laughed. I started college with the goal of becoming a paramedic. I was sure of it. The adrenaline, the fast decision-making, the life-saving moments that was what I thought I was meant to do. But life, as always, had a different plan for me. Two years into my paramedic studies, something unexpected happened. A new programme was introduced at my college: midwifery. At first, I did not pay much attention to it. But one random night, my sister and I were talking, and somehow the conversation led us deep into researching what midwifery really is. We spent hours reading, watching videos, and trying to understand the heart of this profession. That night changed everything for me. I could not sleep. I kept thinking about it, not just as a career, but as a lifelong calling. The next morning, I decided to apply. I still remember reaching out to Dr. Sosa with excitement and nervousness, hoping I had made the right choice. And I did.

When I started my first clinical placement, I thought I knew what to expect. I read about the role of a midwife, supporting women, ensuring safe births, and building trust. But nothing prepared me for how real and emotional it would be. Being in the room, standing beside a woman during one of the most intense and life-changing moments of her life, was something no book could explain. It was not just medical. It was human. It was emotional, raw, and beautiful all at once. I realised that midwifery is not just about catching babies. It is about holding space, staying calm when things feel overwhelming, noticing the small things, choosing the right words when someone is scared, and knowing when to step in or simply hold a hand in silence. Midwifery made me softer, stronger, and more connected, not just to others, but to myself. I quickly learned that being a midwife is not only about clinical skills or textbook knowledge. It is about being present, listening deeply, supporting quietly, and caring genuinely.

One of the things that kept me going, even on the hardest days, was the love I received from the women I cared for. I will never forget the words so many of them shared with me, again and again. “This was the calmest birth I have had. For the first time, I felt like someone was listening to me, not just doing their job and leaving.” That meant everything to me. These moments reminded me why I am here. Not just to assist births, but to be there completely during one of the most sacred times in a woman’s life. And knowing that I made them feel seen, safe, and heard is a gift I will carry with me forever. Now that I have graduated, I look back at the past few years with so much gratitude. I found a path I never planned for, but it turned out to be exactly where I needed to be. Midwifery gave me confidence, purpose, and the most beautiful kind of human connection. I do not know where the next chapter will lead me, but I do know one thing. I am walking into it with a heart full of love and hands ready to serve.

Huda Husain Alhammadi, midwife
July 2025

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