0:00:02 > 0:00:03Midwives.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07They have to be there when they're needed.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11Being mother to the mothers.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Your waters have not gone, have they?
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Support to the fathers.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17- All right, Sam?- Yes, fine!
0:00:17 > 0:00:19And trusted colleagues to each other.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21All dressed, ready to go.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24But, in this part of the world, their journey is never easy.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Oh, heck!
0:00:26 > 0:00:28It's full of great ups and difficult downs.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31It's through gates, it's over fences.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33Of twists and turns.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35The most bizarre place is up a tree house, actually.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38Of never quite knowing what's round the corner.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40A total bag of emotions.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Welcome to the world of safe hands...
0:00:42 > 0:00:44You've got a lovely belly!
0:00:44 > 0:00:46My office is my car, you know?
0:00:46 > 0:00:48..all-seeing eyes...
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Absolutely perfect.
0:00:50 > 0:00:51..and big smiles.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Very au naturel!
0:00:53 > 0:00:55A lot of the women are quite strong characters.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59Welcome to the real-life drama of The Country Midwives.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08Carmarthenshire is one of Wales' largest counties.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Here, expectant mums are looked after by a team of midwives
0:01:11 > 0:01:14travelling and working in these rural communities.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19Negotiating the maze of roads to Llansawel
0:01:19 > 0:01:21is community midwife Nan Duncan.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25After 34 years as a midwife, Nan has seen many changes.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27The weather's still the same though.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29It's absolutely throwing it down.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32We're going to see this lovely couple now.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36It's their first baby. A long awaited baby.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38They've just told me where they're living,
0:01:38 > 0:01:41so I'm just hoping I can find where it is.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47At any one time, Nan could be visiting up to 20 mums-to-be.
0:01:47 > 0:01:52Remembering how to get to each and every home can be quite a test.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56I think I'm right in saying... Postbox, bungalow.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58I think I'm right.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02She is the first bungalow on the left, I believe she said.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04That's not a bungalow.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09The older you get, you don't remember so well, do you?
0:02:12 > 0:02:16Sometimes, becoming parents can be an exceptionally long journey.
0:02:17 > 0:02:23This is Cerys. She was born last Tuesday. 20 minutes to two.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27She's a lump because she's eight pounds, two and a half ounces.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32Doting dad John is 70 years old
0:02:32 > 0:02:35and proud Karen is a 48-year-old first-time mother.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39They're a little bit older and it's a second family for John.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43But, you know, it's absolutely normal.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45Everything is right with them
0:02:45 > 0:02:48and how they've gone on about having this lovely baby
0:02:48 > 0:02:50to make their family complete.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54We did decide to have them earlier,
0:02:54 > 0:02:57but when things don't happen, you just have to get on with life.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01Better late than never! Definitely better late than never.
0:03:01 > 0:03:02- Come in.- Hello.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06Karen and John are well-informed parents.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09But, although they've got all the books, they know that the
0:03:09 > 0:03:14best source of help for Karen's recovery is Nan's experience.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17These stockings are like an extra muscle layer
0:03:17 > 0:03:21and the extra muscle layer is pumping the blood back up to your heart.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24So while they're on, it's not for the swelling,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27it's to stop you having blood clots.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32Often, the advice is as everyday as nappy changing.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35A lot of people change the bum and then feed the baby
0:03:35 > 0:03:37when it's bottle feeding.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41But when it's breast feeding, they breast feed first,
0:03:41 > 0:03:45then they change the bum and then they continue breast feeding.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49They wake the baby up in the middle of it to make sure they get the most.
0:03:49 > 0:03:50Right, OK.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54Don't you start crying with me because I won't have any of it.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00- She's got a fine pair of lungs, I know that!- She is beautiful.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06And so, today, Nan's journey with this family ends.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09She's a natural and so helpful. So, so helpful.
0:04:11 > 0:04:12They're a very well-read couple.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17They know what they're doing and I can't do anything more
0:04:17 > 0:04:20than congratulate them on doing such a wonderful job
0:04:20 > 0:04:23of a perfect little baby and what a family.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26It's good to be part of it. Lovely.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30Looking after older mums is one change midwives are coping with.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33Another is the technology that's on offer.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Chris Davies and partner Simon have gone to a private clinic
0:04:37 > 0:04:40to see remarkable pictures of their unborn baby.
0:04:40 > 0:04:46We have come to do our 4D scan to see our little baby's face
0:04:46 > 0:04:50and to make sure she's all well and cwtched up nicely in there
0:04:50 > 0:04:52and we can't wait.
0:04:52 > 0:04:564D scanning is like having a camera inside the womb.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00It makes technician Ruth McJennett's work look quite easy.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02You can see the baby's expressions, facial features,
0:05:02 > 0:05:04who the baby's going to look like,
0:05:04 > 0:05:08and it's just a lovely bonding experience for the parents and the child.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10Oh, my gosh!
0:05:10 > 0:05:13That's really weird. All the shadow suddenly comes up.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17The unborn baby is just 26 weeks old,
0:05:17 > 0:05:22but the new technology allows the parents, and us, a sneak preview.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27It's cheating, isn't it? Like doing this is cheating.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32You're not meant to see the baby's face or know the sex until she comes out.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34- So...- We've got a head start.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38A lot of bonding and things that can happen as a result of that.
0:05:38 > 0:05:39It's lovely.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43Just another 13 weeks to go!
0:05:46 > 0:05:49The Teifi valley, particularly around Llanybydder,
0:05:49 > 0:05:51is predominantly Welsh-speaking.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54But in the town, a new language is being heard.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58One in eight workers at the local lamb processing plant
0:05:58 > 0:06:01are first-language Polish speakers.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Midwife Anwen Evans tries her second language, English,
0:06:04 > 0:06:07as a bridge, with limited success.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Me, OK? Anwen. OK?
0:06:09 > 0:06:14And my phone number. So any problems, you phone.
0:06:16 > 0:06:21I find it's difficult with somebody who doesn't understand your language
0:06:21 > 0:06:24for you to be able to tell them appropriately, this is what's going to happen.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27And when you speak to somebody on Language Line,
0:06:27 > 0:06:31even though you tell them, you don't know what they portray back to the woman herself.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33So it's really difficult.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Any disabilities? Physical or learning?
0:06:37 > 0:06:39Interpreting is never easy.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43The Language Line service translates Anwen's question into Polish
0:06:43 > 0:06:45and the answer back into English.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47For midwives, it does the job. Just.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Hello?
0:06:49 > 0:06:51No, OK.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54It's so difficult when the person on the other side of the phone
0:06:54 > 0:06:58is purely a translator and she hasn't got any medical knowledge.
0:06:58 > 0:07:03It's quite hard to get across the right message, I feel.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05Hello?
0:07:05 > 0:07:08No. We need to check her full blood count.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11It's hard work when people don't understand you.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Adelle Roberts is the Health Board's Senior Clinical Midwife.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26That role now includes adapting the midwives' practice to meet the
0:07:26 > 0:07:29new multilingual and multicultural reality of Carmarthenshire.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34In one of the local towns, they have seen quite a large influx.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36Out of a population of about 40,000,
0:07:36 > 0:07:41they saw about 2,000 people from the Polish community move into that area.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46We are developing some literature to support the communication with the Polish mothers.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Sometimes it's very difficult.
0:07:48 > 0:07:53In the middle of the night, you're trying to communicate in any possible way you can.
0:07:53 > 0:07:59I see midwives using all kinds of gesturing, pointing, talking.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02The non-verbal communication is huge!
0:08:02 > 0:08:06They do their best to try and get the points they're trying to interpret across.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Language is just one of the differences to be taken into account.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Expectations can also be quite different.
0:08:14 > 0:08:19Some of the women in Poland would go and see a gynaecologist on a private basis.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24Their expectations of what happens in an antenatal examination would be very different.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27They would expect a doctor to be there at the birth
0:08:27 > 0:08:31and not for the midwife within a normal paradigm to be facilitating that.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37Some Polish families have also settled in the west of the county,
0:08:37 > 0:08:42between Carmarthen and Whitland, Caren Thomas' work area.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45My baby is 16 tomorrow. Can you believe that?
0:08:45 > 0:08:5116 years ago today, I was going into labour now tonight.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53I feel that it helped me as a midwife
0:08:53 > 0:08:56being able to look back on my own experiences.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00I've certainly got a lot of experiences now that I've got four!
0:09:04 > 0:09:06Caren is calling on Alicia Lesiak.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08Morning. Are you OK?
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Alicia is a mother-to-be who comes originally from Krakow.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13As she can speak a little English,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16Caren means to learn a little Polish.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18- What's the Polish word for pain?- Bol.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22- Bol.- Very bol!- Very bol!
0:09:22 > 0:09:28- What's the Polish word for push? - Pchniecie.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30- What?- Pchniecie.- Pchniecie. OK. Fine.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33They are my two important ones. Pain and push.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36A lot of it is just working out between you
0:09:36 > 0:09:39that we're getting the same words and getting the story right.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41It is a challenge sometimes.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45So labour last time, did you have pain relief?
0:09:45 > 0:09:50- Yes. Pain.- OK. No, pain relief.
0:09:50 > 0:09:56Not pain. Pain relief. So when you were having the contractions...
0:09:56 > 0:09:59Midwives have always adapted to changing circumstances
0:09:59 > 0:10:03and their ability to get on with people is just as important as ever.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- I'm waiting for a wee sample now. - A pee.
0:10:06 > 0:10:12- OK, you can tell me. What's pee in... - Pee?- Yes.- Siusiac.
0:10:12 > 0:10:17Siusiac. I'm waiting for a siusiac sample, which sounds a bit bad.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20A siusiac sample. Lovely.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26Near Llandeilo, there are plenty of places that aren't easy to reach.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28Don't fall now, will you?
0:10:28 > 0:10:31But one community is particularly remote.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33Right, we need to go...
0:10:33 > 0:10:36I'm not quite sure where we're going to go.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Today, Nan is on her way to Tipi Valley.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44Founded exactly 40 years ago, today it's home to some 80 people.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Careful you don't slip by here.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Years ago, doing a home visit here
0:10:48 > 0:10:51was an intrepid experience for the young Nan.
0:10:51 > 0:10:5420 years on, the Tipi Valley women are old friends.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56Hello.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00In fact, it's Nan who's delivered many of them into the world.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04In Wales, just 3% of mothers give birth at home.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08Here, the home birth rate, so far, is 100%.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12It was always more like a party atmosphere, to be honest,
0:11:12 > 0:11:14having Nan at your birth.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18I was in a hot tub.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21You were in a hot tub and I think I said something like,
0:11:21 > 0:11:23have you got any peas and carrots?
0:11:23 > 0:11:27Cilla gave me a dressing down!
0:11:29 > 0:11:32If it was just some stranger rocking up on the day,
0:11:32 > 0:11:35that would have kind of freaked me out.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39But knowing that it was Nan and Fiona and the team was just lovely.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41It was very easy from the word go.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44Even if I was phoning them at six in the morning,
0:11:44 > 0:11:46it was just fine, yes.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50Traditional Welsh communities are about sharing things
0:11:50 > 0:11:52and looking after each other.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55At heart, perhaps this alternative community
0:11:55 > 0:11:57is not so different after all.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01My three-year-old can walk out of the front door and he's safe. There are no cars racing past.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05He knows everybody and everybody knows him. Everyone is looking out for each other.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08That, to me, is what community should be.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12It's not a million miles from the ordinary person.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15They just want the best experience they can possibly get.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17It's the way to go.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20So they've taught me over the years
0:12:20 > 0:12:23and it's a mutual respect, I think, from both ends.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Nan used to come when you were in my tummy.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Do you know what, I think I've got a tickle coming here.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32I think I've got a tickle here. There's a tickle coming.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35Newborn babies have never been scarce in Tipi Valley.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39So the last piece of news Nan hears on leaving is not a huge surprise.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43It was so nice to catch up with them.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47I'm really chuffed to know I'll be back up here now in the new year,
0:12:47 > 0:12:49so it's all good news up here.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56During Nan's working life, midwives have seen the growth of doulas,
0:12:56 > 0:12:59a new development on an age-old practice.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06Doulas are female helpers, such as Rhiannon Marston and Mel Kelly,
0:13:06 > 0:13:11who work before, during and after birth, alongside the midwife.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16A lot of people think doulas are a new thing but actually,
0:13:16 > 0:13:19women have been helping women for ever.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23The word doula comes from the ancient Greek, meaning female care giver.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27You don't have to be a particular kind of person to be a doula.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30You just have to have an interest in families, babies
0:13:30 > 0:13:34and supporting mothers to have the birth that they want.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36That's basically what we do.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40Doulas don't have to undergo formal training
0:13:40 > 0:13:43and many of them favour a hands-off approach to birthing.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47But Rhiannon and Mel don't see their role as challenging that of the midwife.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50We don't work instead of midwives or health visitors.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52We work alongside them.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55We support home births, hospital births, caesarean sections.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58We're not medically trained. We don't carry out clinical tasks.
0:13:58 > 0:14:03But we give support in a practical way, an emotional way.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06My last client before I had Eve
0:14:06 > 0:14:09had actually been referred by the midwife.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11So that's always really nice.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13- Brilliant.- Yes.- Absolutely.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17We'll support any kind of birth. We support what Mum wants.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20So we mother the mother. That's a well known doula saying.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25As with midwives, new technology is also extending
0:14:25 > 0:14:29the range of services offered by doulas such as Rhiannon.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32One that is growing in popularity is placenta encapsulation.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38Placenta encapsulation is the process
0:14:38 > 0:14:40of putting the placenta into capsules
0:14:40 > 0:14:46so that it's an easy and convenient and more pleasant way of consuming the placenta
0:14:46 > 0:14:49so the woman can have the benefits after childbirth.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54Once the placenta has been washed, a print of it is made as a keepsake.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00Rhiannon uses an ancient Chinese recipe.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04First, steam the placenta with lemon, ginger and chilli.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Then, cut it up and thoroughly dehydrate it.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11Next, form the umbilical cord into a heart-shaped memento.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15Lastly, finely grind the dried placenta pieces
0:15:15 > 0:15:17and pour into digestible capsules.
0:15:17 > 0:15:22The benefits are prevention of anaemia, increased energy.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24It'll give you a better milk supply
0:15:24 > 0:15:29and it's really important in helping to prevent post-natal depression.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35A new mother who's opted for Rhiannon's placenta service
0:15:35 > 0:15:37is Lorraine Hardwick.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Little Rico is just six days old.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44I don't think there's anything unnatural about it.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47I've grown it. It's my organ.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51So I'm giving it back to myself in order to recover
0:15:51 > 0:15:53and just feel more normal after having a baby
0:15:53 > 0:15:55because it's such a huge thing.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00In nature, most mammals would consume their placenta,
0:16:00 > 0:16:04so it's a very natural process and as we've become more civilised,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07people think it's a bit disgusting.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11When you tell people, they think, oh, my God, that's terrible.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14But they think you have it with chips and gravy and onions and that.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16But it's not. It's just in capsules.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18It will hopefully benefit her health.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22Husband Terry is all for it,
0:16:22 > 0:16:25despite the fact that meat is never on their menu.
0:16:25 > 0:16:26I'm a vegetarian. So is Lorraine.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29You probably don't class it as eating meat, do you?
0:16:29 > 0:16:32It's actually part of your own body.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34Hopefully it's going to do her good.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37I won't be having any! I'll leave it all to her!
0:16:37 > 0:16:39Perhaps I'll have loads of babies
0:16:39 > 0:16:42and I'll get loads of placenta encapsulation done
0:16:42 > 0:16:44and I'll live off placentas, I don't know!
0:16:44 > 0:16:46So I'll do that!
0:16:49 > 0:16:51On the estuary of the River Tywi
0:16:51 > 0:16:54lies the picturesque village of Ferryside.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02It's three months now since Chris had a 4D image taken of the baby she's carrying.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06Another week and the image is due to become a newborn reality.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12Lynne's coming today. Last visit before the birth. Just to check everything's fine.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16I think everything is and everything's going to plan. It'll be nice to see her.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19Are you going to help Lynne check Mummy's blood pressure?
0:17:21 > 0:17:25I'm starting to feel a bit anxious about the birth
0:17:25 > 0:17:29and it's a time when you're just wondering when.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35Two years have gone by since Lynne was here bringing Mali into the world.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39As before, the new baby will be delivered in a birthing pool
0:17:39 > 0:17:42and Chris will practise hypnotherapy to manage her pain.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44It's basically self hypnosis.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48It's focusing on being relaxed rather than scared.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51So when the contractions come, it's just to breathe into it
0:17:51 > 0:17:53rather than fight against it.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56It was all really quiet, it was gorgeous,
0:17:56 > 0:18:00and was really difficult for me to be so quiet!
0:18:02 > 0:18:05So we get to do it all over again with the same person.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09For me personally I feel much more comfortable at home
0:18:09 > 0:18:14and having somebody like Lynne as a midwife, who respects what you want, is perfect.
0:18:14 > 0:18:19I think everybody should have that experience. It's such a shame that people don't.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23Keep an eye on the movements and give us a ring if there are any concerns or anything.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28Near the town of Carmarthen itself, although it's getting dark,
0:18:28 > 0:18:32Caren's been waiting eagerly for the call she's just received.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38She's on her way to help Jen, whose second child will be Caren's
0:18:38 > 0:18:42very first home delivery as part of the community team.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46Had the phone call to say she's in labour. Mega excited.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49I've been waiting for this now for a few weeks,
0:18:49 > 0:18:51so I'm going to examine her now and see how we're doing.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Sounding great.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57Keep going, keep going, keep going.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Keep going, keep going, all the way through.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01Good girl. Good girl. Keep going.
0:19:01 > 0:19:07I've been encouraging her to rock through the contractions and she seems to find that quite supportive.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09It'll get that baby into a good position as well.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12I've just examined her now and 6cm.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15Lovely thin cervix, bulging membranes.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19When those waters go, we're going to need an ark to get out of here!
0:19:20 > 0:19:23- You're all right.- I feel my legs are going to go.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25Let's get down on the sofa then.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Caren is right.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29The waters break with such force
0:19:29 > 0:19:31that Jen believes it's the birth itself.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Oh, God, the head's coming. All right.
0:19:34 > 0:19:39All right. It's OK, it's OK. That's water. That's water.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42OK. Well done. Well done.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47It is just the water. But Caren's concerned.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50The baby's heartbeat has slowed right down.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52If you need to push, you push.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55I'm going to get a 999, just in case we need it.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59In the hospital, I just have to pull a buzzer
0:19:59 > 0:20:01and I've got a whole team there behind me.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05At a home birth, we've only got basic resuscitation equipment.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09We don't take any chances. If we need backup, we'll get them here straight away.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13Fluctuations in a baby's heartbeat are not uncommon in childbirth.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17Do they carry on here or do they call an ambulance?
0:20:17 > 0:20:21They'll have to make a decision...soon.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26Nan Duncan has been a midwife since 1980.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29During that time, she's also raised three children
0:20:29 > 0:20:32and done her bit on the family's small-holding.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34Have you been out and about today, then, Mum?
0:20:34 > 0:20:36LAUGHTER
0:20:36 > 0:20:40As well as caring for young mothers, she's now also looking after
0:20:40 > 0:20:42her own mother, Lena.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48This is my mother. My wonderful mother.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51And she's only 81.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58Lena has fond memories of caring for young Nan.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00I could do nothing wrong.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02She was a perfect baby.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05Honestly. I know she was my second baby, mind.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09And my first baby was a bit cross, you know. But I don't think...
0:21:09 > 0:21:13First babies, they do get it hard, mind. Because...
0:21:13 > 0:21:16they are busy training the mothers, aren't they?
0:21:16 > 0:21:20Second baby, mother's already trained.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24I can come in here and tell Mum all my woes.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27Well, she is a sitting duck. I think everybody comes in and tells her.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30And we can get up and walk away,
0:21:30 > 0:21:33and poor old Mum is less mithering what to do about things.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37I do have my grumbles, don't I? We take it in turns.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39We take it in turns to grumble.
0:21:40 > 0:21:45Nan is as fond of her mother as Lena is proud of her daughter.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48It's not an easy job, is it, midwife?
0:21:49 > 0:21:55I'm pleased that she's made a life for herself. It's nice. It's nice, yes.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59And she enjoys it. You just carry on, don't you?
0:21:59 > 0:22:01I think it's the Welsh way, do you?
0:22:01 > 0:22:05Truly, that is it, isn't it? Do your best.
0:22:05 > 0:22:10- Yes. Live with your own conscience, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:22:11 > 0:22:16Well, I'm really fortunate to have my mum.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23At Caren's landmark home birth, they didn't call the ambulance.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26The baby's heartbeat is healthy once more.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28In fact, it's all systems go!
0:22:28 > 0:22:31Her waters went. I think the head came down with a bump,
0:22:31 > 0:22:34then her heart rate dropped then as a result.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36But as soon as we got her into a good position,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39got to have a good listen in, she was absolutely fine.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42- That's how they react, see? - That's better.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46Yes, she's coming, you're doing fantastic, go for it. That's it.
0:22:46 > 0:22:51And again, if it's there. That's it, go on, keep her coming. And again for me.
0:22:51 > 0:22:56Good girl. Go on, keep it coming. So the top of her head then.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59She'll take a bit of time to do this bit now,
0:22:59 > 0:23:01but that's perfectly normal, all right?
0:23:01 > 0:23:07- All right, Jim?- Yeah.- Yeah, we doing good, right? Fantastic.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10It's encouragement, encouragement as the moment approaches.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14- The head is right there.- Yeah. - Well done, Jen, well done.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17I know, I know, it's stinging like mad now. Good girl, go on.
0:23:17 > 0:23:22Right, do a little push for me. Breathe. Head is out, my darling.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24- You're right in the crook, there.- OK.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28- Next contraction, you're going to push like mad for me, OK?- OK.
0:23:28 > 0:23:29Coming again?
0:23:29 > 0:23:33Yeah. All right, pushed down. Here she comes again, look.
0:23:33 > 0:23:39- Jen, look down.- Oh, my God! - "Hello, my Mummy! Hello, Mummy."
0:23:39 > 0:23:42Look, she's beautiful, look at her.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46And so, baby Scarlett is welcomed into the world.
0:23:46 > 0:23:4820 to midnight.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52Oh, you superstar, you.
0:23:52 > 0:23:58Jen and Jamie are obviously delighted. And so is Caren.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02You were amazing. Have we checked she's a girl?
0:24:02 > 0:24:06Yes, she is! That would be a shock, wouldn't it?
0:24:06 > 0:24:11Very emotional. This is my first birth for the team. So that is brilliant.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13Nice to get that under the belt.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15One more bit, look. Brilliant!
0:24:15 > 0:24:21Jen was absolutely fantastic. She was brill. Waited weeks for that!
0:24:21 > 0:24:24It was exactly what I wanted.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37The village of Ferryside, six o'clock in the morning.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40Somewhere in the dark, midwife Lynne is on her way.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Ten days overdue.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46Chris started with contractions about one o'clock this morning.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49It's been really, really tense the last couple of days.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52There's been a surreal relief that things are starting to go.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56Both of us are really excited and really pleased, so...it's fantastic.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00There she is, the lady herself.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07- Hi.- I've never been so relieved... Thank bloody God.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14Low lighting and mood music support Chris's
0:25:14 > 0:25:19hypno-birthing technique while she lies in the birthing pool.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23In one way, Lynne's job here is to do as little as possible.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26- So seven o'clock it is now.- OK.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29With water, it's difficult to see what's going on anyway, you know.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32It does make our job...
0:25:32 > 0:25:35not more difficult, you just got to go with the sound of the woman.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39- Think positive again.- Ah... - Just relax into it now.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42And again, that comes with the years of experience as well.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44You know that there are progressing well and things.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Indeed, things ARE progressing well. And quickly.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51With Lynne's quiet encouragement, the full-vocal drama of birth
0:25:51 > 0:25:54- reaches the final act. - CHRIS GROANS
0:25:54 > 0:25:56Just go with it now, Chris. CHRIS SCREAMS
0:25:59 > 0:26:03Although partner Simon had the hypno-birthing script at hand,
0:26:03 > 0:26:08in the adrenaline of the moment, there's no time...no need.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10CHRIS SCREAMS
0:26:10 > 0:26:11Don't panic, don't panic.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14Well done!
0:26:14 > 0:26:167:35. Well done! Congratulations!
0:26:16 > 0:26:21BABY CRIES Yes, oh.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23Keep her head above water.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26About 25 past, she was having urges to push.
0:26:26 > 0:26:31And the baby is here now at 7:35. So she did really well.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33Oh, I'm so glad to see you.
0:26:33 > 0:26:38- We are!- I know! Oh...
0:26:38 > 0:26:43And Mali came in then, straight after the baby was delivered, so it was lovely.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50Baby...a real one.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54To complete the naturalness of her birth process,
0:26:54 > 0:26:58Chris is waiting for the placenta to deliver in its own time.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01As with the birth itself, it's not a long wait.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03That's the best one I've ever had. Fab!
0:27:04 > 0:27:06In the meantime,
0:27:06 > 0:27:11Simon, in his own way, is bonding with his new baby daughter.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15Simon was talking away through the contractions,
0:27:15 > 0:27:17but I don't think he had much time to get through his script.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20But he did really well. Fair play to him.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22Much better now.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25That she's out.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28It was much quicker than Mali.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31And we were home.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34I'm so relieved we were home.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36So relieved.
0:27:37 > 0:27:43For Chris and Simon, it's the morning calm following the evening storm.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46For Lynne, it's the start of another day's work.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49I'm on call, so I'm hoping for a quiet afternoon now.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52I'm going home to do my hair and put my make-up on, cos I haven't had time.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Have some breakfast and then go down the hospital, do some notes.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58And then we'll take it from there what the day holds.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00Happy now.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03All the boxes ticked.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06- We're very lucky, aren't we?- Mm.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15The Country Midwives. All roads.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18- All weather.- It's fun and games.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22- All languages. - THEY SPEAK POLISH
0:28:22 > 0:28:25- All ages. Always there.- Hello!
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Always have been.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30- Keep going, all the way through. - And always will be.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Yes, there'll be always room for midwives.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36They're not going to stop having babies, are they?