A MIDWIFE has made her own special delivery - losing two stone in weight.

Emily Smith, from Old Kilpatrick, decided to change her life after piling on the pounds.

Through her work as a midwife at the old Southern General Hospital, Emily saw she wasn’t alone in being heavier than she wanted to be.

She said: “I have worked as a midwife for over 30 years. I have seen a drastic increase in overall weight within women attending in the antenatal period. In general, women do gain weight during pregnancy but currently we are seeing women at the beginning of a pregnancy who are already overweight, and some with a BMI over 40.

“Obesity in pregnancy causes problems for the mother including gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and puts them at risk of pulmonary embolism. It can cause them to become high risk, requiring more intense monitoring and often numerous admissions to maternity services. Being overweight can also lead to increases in caesarean sections, which again poses risk to both mother and baby, and adds to the financial aspect for the health authority. The developing baby is put at risk if the mother is ill.”

Emily achieved her amazing weight loss after signing up for Slimming World.

At first she wasn’t sure about attending, but it has since become one of the best decisions she has made.

She continued: “I recall my first evening walking through the doors of Slimming World and meeting my class consultant Laura Martin. I was nervous and anxious and had a preconceived opinion this was just another diet in which I would be sacrificing in honour to lose weight. How wrong was I. Laura supported and guided me to my target with ease.”

Read more: Laura Martin's joy at helping Clydebank slimmers shed pounds

Following her experience, Emily says she is still amazed by two things - that she was able to smash her target (which she set herself), and also that she can continue to eat the amount of food she wants.

She said: “I chose the weight loss I want. Slimming World do not set you a target, which in reality may feel unachievable on your first visit. Through my journey, I set realistic, achievable targets, and in fact reduced it three times as I smashed the weight loss.

“And I am still amazed at the amount of food I get to eat daily.

“I enjoy unlimited pasta, rice, potatoes, lean meat, chicken, fish, and eggs. I have been taught to food optimise, meaning taking the free food and creating fantastic unlimited meals such as curries, spaghetti bolognese, and macaroni cheese (my favourite).”

Emily, who signed up for Slimming World 21 months ago, added: “The best feeling I can honestly say is when people comment on the amount of food I eat and that I have lost weight, two stone weight loss.”

Emily is now setting her sights on helping others, by becoming a Slimming World consultant - and is re-opening the class in Dalmuir.

Emily told the Post: “I have been so impressed with my weight loss, by using the Slimming World plan, that I feel I need to get out into my local community and help as many people as I can.”

If you want to lose weight just like Emily did, why not pop along and see her on Wednesday night at 7.30pm at Dalmuir C.E. Centre.

There is also a free-to-go plan where 11-15 year olds can join if accompanied by an adult, who pay a reduced weekly £3.95 fee.