0:00:04 > 0:00:08- Hi, it's the midwife.- Urgh.- That's it, that's it - you're doing it.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12- You're doing it. - Little pushes then. Little pushes.
0:00:12 > 0:00:13Oh, my gosh.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16When we're at our most vulnerable
0:00:16 > 0:00:20we all need someone who isn't afraid.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23I'm your midwife and I'm going to be looking after you.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28Midwives are responsible for bringing our children safely into the world...
0:00:28 > 0:00:30- "Hello, world." - SHE LAUGHS
0:00:30 > 0:00:32You have to make a very, very intimate relationship
0:00:32 > 0:00:35with somebody you've never met before in your life.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37I apologise.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39You've not done anything wrong.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42You're having a baby - you've not killed someone.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46..but now they're facing the highest birth rate in 40 years.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51Too many women having babies, that's the problem.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55- Parents are more demanding... - She just don't feel that she's been getting any answers.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57..and pregnancies more complicated.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00We're worried. Do you know we're worried?
0:01:00 > 0:01:05When you see a baby come out like he did, you just think, "Oh, no."
0:01:07 > 0:01:10Yeah, yeah - I'm fine. I just delivered my first baby.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13That was the best feeling in the world.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16This is what it's really like to be a midwife in Britain today.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21SHE SCREAMS
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Every month, 1,300 pregnant women
0:01:36 > 0:01:40come to the Wirral's maternity unit for a check-up or to give birth.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45Most are sent home soon afterwards, but some have to stay in hospital.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48No-one thinks about if there's problems in pregnancy
0:01:48 > 0:01:51and afterwards you just expect that you're going to walk home
0:01:51 > 0:01:54with your baby and it doesn't always happen like that.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57Women who can't go home end up on the maternity ward,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00where ward sister Tracey is in charge.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04On the maternity ward, we can have a lady in one room who's really, really unwell
0:02:04 > 0:02:07and needs a lot of medical intervention from the midwife...
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Hello! I've got more drugs for you.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13..and in the next room, you could just have a couple of new parents
0:02:13 > 0:02:16who just need help learning how to be parents.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20You are big trouble. 'A lot of people go home from the labour ward.'
0:02:20 > 0:02:23The people who come up here tend to be up here for a bit longer,
0:02:23 > 0:02:25so you do get more involved with them.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29- SHE LAUGHS - Go on now. Don't be scared.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31I'm too scared to.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33Instead of the traditional open ward,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36this NHS hospital offers most of its maternity patients
0:02:36 > 0:02:38their very own en suite room.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41It's a bit like we are running a hotel.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45The only difference between us and a hotel is that you've got
0:02:45 > 0:02:48a midwife who, you know, who's going to be looking after you.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51Behind each of the 26 doors is a different challenge for Tracey
0:02:51 > 0:02:54and the team of midwives.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56Stay as long as you want, go home when you want.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59It's not a prison and we're not going to kick you out.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01If you need to stay, then you need to stay,
0:03:01 > 0:03:05but after about four days, we will be asking you to leave!
0:03:11 > 0:03:1524-year-old Holly is checking into the maternity ward.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17She's 38 weeks pregnant,
0:03:17 > 0:03:20but her bump is much bigger than it should be.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22Let's have a little feel of this tummy of yours.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26Over the past few weeks, midwives had been keeping a close eye on her.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29- So, were you measuring large for dates, were you?- Yeah.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32She's got a condition called polyhydramnios -
0:03:32 > 0:03:35there's too much fluid round the baby.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38- You're getting kicks all over. - There's a foot there.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40If the amount of fluid increases,
0:03:40 > 0:03:43it could cause life-threatening complications in labour.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46- Let me get you.- Thank you. - There we go. All right?
0:03:46 > 0:03:49So, we have to weigh you. Come and have a stand on here.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52You weigh more than me.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55That's terrible. I'll shield you. Don't let him see.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57It's fine.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02- It's not a competition. - We're about the same, babe.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08Holly's being kept in hospital
0:04:08 > 0:04:10because her condition is getting worse.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15Just need you to slide down a smidge just to have a feel of your tummy.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19Just a little bit more. Are you all right with your skirt?
0:04:20 > 0:04:23MICROPHONE ROARS
0:04:23 > 0:04:26It's really kicking me in the ribs really hard.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28There's now so much fluid in Holly's bump,
0:04:28 > 0:04:30it's pressing on her lungs.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32I can't breathe.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37I really can't breathe.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Even though she's still two weeks away from her due date,
0:04:40 > 0:04:43doctors have decided to give Holly a drug to induce labour.
0:04:45 > 0:04:46She's being induced today
0:04:46 > 0:04:48because of the excess fluid,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51because we know that there is a greater risk -
0:04:51 > 0:04:53there could be a greater risk -
0:04:53 > 0:04:56of problems towards the latter stages of pregnancy.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59She could start to have some contractions and some niggles
0:04:59 > 0:05:02because it's a hormone that's been introduced,
0:05:02 > 0:05:05but some people react and some people don't.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07So I'll start getting contractions today?
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- You might well do, you might well do.- Will it hurt?
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- Yes, it's going to hurt.- OK.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18Now that the process has begun, it's not safe for Holly to go home.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21We keep people in once the induction's started
0:05:21 > 0:05:24because we've intervened. We'll listen to the foetal heart
0:05:24 > 0:05:29and do the mum's observations constantly till the baby's delivered
0:05:29 > 0:05:32and at any point the baby becomes unhappy
0:05:32 > 0:05:35or mum becomes unwell, she could end up with an emergency Caesarea.,
0:05:35 > 0:05:39So if she was at home and we went there to do that then,
0:05:39 > 0:05:43you know, she could come back and, you know, the baby could have died,
0:05:43 > 0:05:47because they are strong drugs that we use to induce labours.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50So that's why they need to be here with us.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54They said cos it's earlier,
0:05:54 > 0:05:57if they induce and it goes wrong then I'd have to have a Caesarean
0:05:57 > 0:05:59and I really don't want a Caesarean,
0:05:59 > 0:06:03but I'm just hoping, fingers crossed, that everything goes OK.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Morning. Do you want a clean bed, love?
0:06:11 > 0:06:16The refurbished maternity ward has only been open for two years.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23You've got your own little room, your own little bed.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Your own shower in the bathroom and someone comes
0:06:26 > 0:06:29and cleans your room every morning. You get three square meals a day.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37- Want a sandwich?- It's a nice environment for the ladies.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40You got a nice room and en suite and all that,
0:06:40 > 0:06:43so people get into that kind of mode,
0:06:43 > 0:06:45but they have to remember it is the NHS!
0:06:45 > 0:06:50I have been asked what laundry services are available
0:06:50 > 0:06:53and do we have a "Do not disturb" sign?!
0:06:55 > 0:06:57And have we got a mini bar?
0:06:57 > 0:06:59THEY LAUGH
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Tracey has been ward sister here for a year.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08As well as the day-to-day running of the ward,
0:07:08 > 0:07:11she is also responsible for patient satisfaction.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Everyone gets a patient questionnaire.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19"Were you involved as much as you wanted to be in decisions about your care?"
0:07:19 > 0:07:22"Did you find someone to talk about your worries and fears?"
0:07:22 > 0:07:25"Did someone show you where the toilets were located?"
0:07:25 > 0:07:29Every room has got an en suite toilet
0:07:29 > 0:07:32and you wouldn't believe that, when I first came in to the post,
0:07:32 > 0:07:3585% of the women said that they were shown,
0:07:35 > 0:07:40so the 15% didn't actually realise that the room in their room
0:07:40 > 0:07:43was a toilet and I have to do an action plan about that.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46We had our ward meeting and I said to the girls,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49when you get a patient who comes into the room, make sure you say,
0:07:49 > 0:07:51"This is your toilet."
0:07:54 > 0:07:56There's a new arrival on the maternity ward.
0:07:58 > 0:08:0131-year-old Claire and her boyfriend Dan
0:08:01 > 0:08:05have just been transferred 130 miles from their local hospital.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- OK. And you're getting plenty of movements?- Lots.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12Claire's own health problems
0:08:12 > 0:08:15are making her pregnancy extremely high risk.
0:08:15 > 0:08:21She has problems with her thyroid, she has diabetes, she has
0:08:21 > 0:08:23renal problems, as well.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28'It is difficult looking after these ladies because they are,
0:08:28 > 0:08:29'as you say, high maintenance,'
0:08:29 > 0:08:31but not in a nasty way,
0:08:31 > 0:08:33sort of, like, their needs are great.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37And which side do you get your kicks mostly?
0:08:37 > 0:08:41The medical team fear her baby's life could be at risk.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44They may be forced to deliver Claire's baby prematurely.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46My blood pressure had gone up,
0:08:46 > 0:08:50to the point where they were concerned about it, so they said,
0:08:50 > 0:08:54"Well, you'll need to come in now and basically stay until delivery."
0:08:54 > 0:08:57- So...- And then, on...
0:08:57 > 0:09:00what, Monday morning, about one o'clock,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03your blood pressure went through the roof.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05- Really high.- Really high.
0:09:05 > 0:09:12And then, because there were no cots available at all, we got moved here,
0:09:12 > 0:09:14which is rather a long way away.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18That's sort of a bit of a worry as well, isn't it?
0:09:18 > 0:09:21That if they had suddenly decided in the middle of the night,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24"Well, this isn't going to go any further for you.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27"We're going to have to deliver," and I have to ring Dan at home
0:09:27 > 0:09:31and he's two at a half hours away... We're up in the air, really.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37The couple don't know how long Claire will need to stay.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39Dan has to return home to work.
0:09:40 > 0:09:45They do get lonely, and especially her partner's three and a half, four hours drive away
0:09:45 > 0:09:49and he can't be here all the time, so she's in a new environment
0:09:49 > 0:09:54all by herself in a stage of her pregnancy where it's, you know...
0:09:54 > 0:09:57There can be decisions day by day, really,
0:09:57 > 0:10:01whether she's going to be delivered or what's going to happen to her.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12How's she doing?
0:10:15 > 0:10:19Tonight, I'm responsible for 12 mums and 12 babies.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26And a lot of my babies tonight are on baby observations
0:10:26 > 0:10:29and a lot of my ladies tonight have had sections,
0:10:29 > 0:10:31so they need four-hourly obvs, as well.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Can I do baby's obvs? Is that OK?
0:10:34 > 0:10:36So I'm obvs queen tonight.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41We're like chameleons.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43We go from one room, where we look after that woman,
0:10:43 > 0:10:48and it's a really high impact, high intensive workload,
0:10:48 > 0:10:52and we'll go next door and what's it give to give a hug? Nothing.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55Hello? Still not settling?
0:10:55 > 0:10:56She started crying, so I picked her up
0:10:56 > 0:10:59and then she was just farting on me, so I changed her nappy.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10She's not going anywhere. Has she changed her mind?
0:11:10 > 0:11:11No, she's not going.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13What about two, three, four five and six,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16cos we're going to have to move them off the ward, aren't we?
0:11:16 > 0:11:19The maternity ward is usually full to capacity.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22It's Tracey's job to juggle beds.
0:11:22 > 0:11:23Every morning when I come to work
0:11:23 > 0:11:26the first thing I do is come and look at the board,
0:11:26 > 0:11:28the patient list, and see who's here,
0:11:28 > 0:11:31who needs to be here and who doesn't need to be here.
0:11:31 > 0:11:36The maternity ward isn't just for mums waiting to have their babies.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40The labour ward downstairs is busy round the clock.
0:11:41 > 0:11:46Every birth means a mum who could need one of Tracey's beds.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50Is that a bed being booked for room 18?
0:11:50 > 0:11:52Because if you want to bring someone up
0:11:52 > 0:11:55and put them into room 18, you can take somebody down.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59We haven't got a room for the lady to go into until you take one,
0:11:59 > 0:12:01if you know what I mean.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03What it's been a case of this morning is,
0:12:03 > 0:12:05as quick as we've emptied a bed, somebody's in it.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15This morning, there's a new resident on the maternity ward.
0:12:15 > 0:12:1924-year-old Alyson has had a long, traumatic labour.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22She doesn't even have the strength to pick up her baby.
0:12:23 > 0:12:28I feel really frustrated, cos I can't do much with him,
0:12:28 > 0:12:33because I'm so exhausted and just, obviously, after all the pain
0:12:33 > 0:12:38and the pain relief that I had and the epidural, I can't walk much,
0:12:38 > 0:12:42so it's just frustrating watching everyone else
0:12:42 > 0:12:44get to feed him and carry him
0:12:44 > 0:12:48and be able to hold the weight of him and I can't, so...
0:12:48 > 0:12:50He's thrown up.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54'I mean, everyone has really high expectations, don't they,'
0:12:54 > 0:12:57and everyone likes to think that they're just going to come in,
0:12:57 > 0:13:01pop the baby out, go home and be supermum and it's not always the case,
0:13:01 > 0:13:05and that's why people get quite disillusioned and get upset,
0:13:05 > 0:13:08because things happen in labour, don't they?
0:13:08 > 0:13:11It's not always how you imagine it's going to be.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15Midwife Lorraine has been keeping a close eye on Alyson
0:13:15 > 0:13:17since she came up to the ward.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20I'm going to make you some toast, all right,
0:13:20 > 0:13:23and then we'll give you a hand to get into the shower, all right?
0:13:23 > 0:13:25And then you might feel a little bit better.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28You definitely look as though you've got a little bit more colour in you.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31You look better than you did when I walked in earlier on.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33God!
0:13:34 > 0:13:35I was worried about you!
0:13:35 > 0:13:38She didn't look very well this morning when we went in.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41She did look rather drained. She was sort of grey.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43Well, translucent.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Alyson isn't feeling strong enough to hold her baby...
0:13:54 > 0:13:57..so new dad Ray is learning the ropes on his own.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59BABY CRIES
0:14:04 > 0:14:11And just bringing forward like that. There we go. And do his back. Hello.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13You've got lots of hair, haven't you?
0:14:13 > 0:14:15That's all you need to do, really, in the bath.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18I know I'm making it look easy, but you will get used to it.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25- Have you got clean clothes? Do you want to put them on him?- Yeah.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28I've got a little... Will that make him better, or...?
0:14:28 > 0:14:30No, it's all right. He won't need the hat.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34I can see why they are shell-shocked.
0:14:34 > 0:14:39You know, some people have never really been in contact with babies before, have they?
0:14:39 > 0:14:43So if you've never been in contact with a baby, you wouldn't know
0:14:43 > 0:14:48how to change a nappy, you wouldn't really know why they're crying.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51It's really hard. I'd find it really, really difficult.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55I'm going to put you down now. OK?
0:15:00 > 0:15:03All right. All right.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11OK. All right. OK.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15All right. Three down: "Soft leather".
0:15:15 > 0:15:16Suede.
0:15:16 > 0:15:21Down the corridor, Holly's baby is showing no signs of arriving.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23Male sheep?
0:15:23 > 0:15:28- Ram.- It's been four hours since the induction began.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32She's not allowed to leave the hospital,
0:15:32 > 0:15:34so all she and Lee can do is wait.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42Bored.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44I thought I'd be in labour by now.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47But I don't think anything is happening.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51I won't be surprised if they just say, "Go home."
0:15:53 > 0:15:56When the inductions are admitted to the ward,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59they're absolutely desperate for the baby to be born that day,
0:15:59 > 0:16:02that minute, and in the next room you could have somebody
0:16:02 > 0:16:05who's going to go into premature labour and she's in hospital
0:16:05 > 0:16:08because we are trying to stop her going into labour.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10If she's really premature, we'll do everything
0:16:10 > 0:16:13we can to stop that baby being born.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17No, but, if she's not in labour, why do they want to transfer her?
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Because we are absolutely heaving.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22A nearby hospital has asked the ward to find a space
0:16:22 > 0:16:27for a patient who's had contractions six weeks early.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32Got a new transfer coming in.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34If she wasn't in the ambulance, I wouldn't be doing this.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- To the left.- Hello.- Hiya.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43Michelle and her partner Donna are expecting twins.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48I started getting a few pains.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Have you got one there now, yeah?
0:16:55 > 0:16:57I can definitely feel them, yeah.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03'We wanted to have a way that we were both involved,'
0:17:03 > 0:17:06so we've used my eggs and donor sperm
0:17:06 > 0:17:11and Michelle's carrying, so it'll be my biological babies,
0:17:11 > 0:17:13but Michelle will be the birth mother.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19The plan is that after this pregnancy,
0:17:19 > 0:17:21we would switch over to use Michelle's eggs
0:17:21 > 0:17:25and for me to carry, because we'd want all our children
0:17:25 > 0:17:30to have the same donor, so they were all related.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32How did you choose the sperm donor?
0:17:32 > 0:17:36You get things like height, eye colour, hair colour,
0:17:36 > 0:17:40occupation, education status and things that they like doing.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44So education status was quite a big one for us.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Because we've both got degrees, so we wanted...
0:17:47 > 0:17:50You've got a masters, I'm doing my masters at the minute, so...
0:17:52 > 0:17:54We just want them to have the best opportunity.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02About one every ten minutes at the moment. Obviously, if they continue
0:18:02 > 0:18:06I'll speak to one of the doctors on labour ward and just check.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10If they get more frequent, they might want to transfer you downstairs, but...
0:18:11 > 0:18:12..we shall see.
0:18:12 > 0:18:18It's just, like, an endless worry and concern.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Couple of hours and no movement and you're thinking,
0:18:21 > 0:18:23"Why hasn't it moved for two hours?"
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Just a constant source of worry.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32Lorraine is dealing with one of the sadder aspects
0:18:32 > 0:18:33of working on the ward.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36She's looking after a lady
0:18:36 > 0:18:39whose unborn baby has died at just 20 weeks.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45The midwives deal with two stillbirths every month.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49That is the big postmortem book.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52So she's got to fill all of that in
0:18:52 > 0:18:56and it's probably better off getting as much done beforehand,
0:18:56 > 0:18:58so that she's...
0:18:58 > 0:19:01Because obviously she's going to be...
0:19:01 > 0:19:03upset afterwards.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07When an unborn baby dies, the mother still has to give birth.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11The midwives here on the maternity ward will help her.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15At 20 weeks, they're only very small, anyway,
0:19:15 > 0:19:22so they tend to not be as difficult to deliver as a full-term baby,
0:19:22 > 0:19:26because they are only very small. But she still will get the pain,
0:19:26 > 0:19:31so we're just making sure we've got adequate pain relief for her.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34She can have as much she likes.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37That's it, because it's not go to be affecting the baby, you know?
0:19:40 > 0:19:42So I need a book of remembrance, don't I?
0:19:42 > 0:19:44You tend to not dwell on it,
0:19:44 > 0:19:48because you're there to look after the mum and make sure that she's OK,
0:19:48 > 0:19:52so you don't tend to think, "Oh, poor me, having to do this,"
0:19:52 > 0:19:55because it's not me who is having to deliver it, is it?
0:19:55 > 0:19:57I'm not a hard person, at all,
0:19:57 > 0:20:01but I just think, the more that I've been here,
0:20:01 > 0:20:04the more you just learn to block it out, really.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Hello?
0:20:13 > 0:20:16In room 15, Claire's blood pressure continues to rise.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21Even though she's only 30 weeks pregnant, the doctors decide
0:20:21 > 0:20:24it would be dangerous to leave the baby inside any longer.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30Her boyfriend Dan is 130 miles away at home in Hull.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33Tomorrow morning, I don't know what time,
0:20:33 > 0:20:36because they don't tell you the time,
0:20:36 > 0:20:39I'll be going down to the labour ward tonight.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44Basically, can you get here tonight at some point?
0:20:46 > 0:20:48Bye. Bye-bye.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50I'm a bit nervous now.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54I knew it was going to be a C-section anyway, but...
0:20:56 > 0:21:00The last couple of days they've been saying that they're trying to wait
0:21:00 > 0:21:02and, sort of, buy a bit more time,
0:21:02 > 0:21:05because the longer the better for the baby.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10I think now that it's actually going to happen,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13I think it's, sort of, hit me a little bit.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16I feel a little bit... Well, a LOT anxious now,
0:21:16 > 0:21:19so no doubt my blood pressure will be up again!
0:21:24 > 0:21:26A few miles away, 35-year-old Angelique
0:21:26 > 0:21:29is getting ready to go into hospital.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34I look at me bump and I think,
0:21:34 > 0:21:38there's a little tiny bit of skin and then there's a little room
0:21:38 > 0:21:41and then there's a little boy waiting to come out.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45It's like my little secret in there. I know what he's up to.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50I'm just head over heels. I just love it.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53This will be Angelique's fifth child.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57She and husband Glenn have decided it'll be their last.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01When we had the tour around the hospital, the midwife said,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04we can go home after a couple of hours and it was like, "Why?"
0:22:04 > 0:22:07Why on earth would you want to go home
0:22:07 > 0:22:10and put the washing on and make the tea?
0:22:10 > 0:22:11Why would you want to do that?
0:22:11 > 0:22:15Why wouldn't you want to stay in this lovely room
0:22:15 > 0:22:20and just have you and your baby - nobody else, no distractions?
0:22:20 > 0:22:22There'll just be us two
0:22:22 > 0:22:26and once we leave the hospital, there'll never be just us two again.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30I'll always have to share him and he'll always have to share me.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36Hiya, I phoned earlier. My name's Angelique Kavanagh.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39I was getting pains about every five minutes or so.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42They were lasting about a minute.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45They've got to about three minutes now
0:22:45 > 0:22:50and they're starting to get really, sort of, sore, basically.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53So I'm phoning up to see if I can have a room with a view.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01Angelique heads for the delivery suite.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05She's hoping there will be room for her upstairs on the maternity ward
0:23:05 > 0:23:08once she gives birth.
0:23:08 > 0:23:09Let's go.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Oh, don't make me laugh. It's not even funny.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23Not a stretch mark in sight.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28Oh, there is. I've got a few battle scars. I'm very proud of them.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33- Is it all right if I examine you? - Yeah, that's all right.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37Is that a contraction now?
0:23:37 > 0:23:41- It's feeling uncomfortable, yeah. - OK.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44As Angelique is having her fifth child,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47midwives expect her to deliver quickly.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02On the maternity ward,
0:24:02 > 0:24:04Holly's induction drugs are having no effect.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11But later in the evening, she starts to feel some pains.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15I don't know, it just turned round and it hurt. I don't know.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19I don't know what contractions are meant to feel like.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21I just know it hurts.
0:24:21 > 0:24:22Oh, shit.
0:24:25 > 0:24:30Because of the excess fluid, the midwives need to make regular checks on the baby's heartbeat.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36- Think that's a bit low. I'm going to have to pop you on the monitor, all right?- Yeah.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38We just want to know that he's nice and happy
0:24:38 > 0:24:40while you're having your contractions, really.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44What if they say he's distressed and they need to cut him out now?
0:24:44 > 0:24:47They've obviously got to be extra careful, haven't they?
0:24:47 > 0:24:48I am worried, though.
0:24:50 > 0:24:55I'm just hoping she'll either be comfortable enough to have a sleep
0:24:55 > 0:24:57or she'll get on with things.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59She's never had a baby before or anything.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03We have nothing to go on, we've got no idea how long it's going to take.
0:25:03 > 0:25:08So hopefully, she'll do something for her sake, but you can't guarantee it.
0:25:11 > 0:25:16For Claire, down the corridor, the risks of pregnancy are very real.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20'It's just knowing it's not going to go smoothly for you.'
0:25:20 > 0:25:23And you're always watching for this reading or that reading
0:25:23 > 0:25:26or for your sugar going up, your blood pressure going up.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30Scans, you know, making sure everything is OK.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34It does play on your mind, especially on a night
0:25:34 > 0:25:38when you're sort of laid on your own trying to get to sleep.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40You do think about things.
0:25:43 > 0:25:50It was 2009, I got admitted to hospital at 24 weeks
0:25:50 > 0:25:54and I was going to be sectioned at 28 weeks,
0:25:54 > 0:25:59but the Friday before - I think it was about four days
0:25:59 > 0:26:03before the section was going to be taking place -
0:26:03 > 0:26:06I'd gone for a scan and the baby had gone.
0:26:06 > 0:26:11She'd passed away, so I missed out.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13So it was just the placenta, really,
0:26:13 > 0:26:17they said, that had caused the problem,
0:26:17 > 0:26:20which, I believe, is the problem this time
0:26:20 > 0:26:23and the problem is created by the high blood pressure.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27You don't honestly think that you will ever be in that position
0:26:27 > 0:26:32ever again, and you don't think you're going to want to, either.
0:26:34 > 0:26:40But I think deep down, when you want something that much,
0:26:40 > 0:26:44I think you find a way to, sort of...
0:26:45 > 0:26:46..to get through it.
0:26:47 > 0:26:52The next morning, Claire has been brought downstairs for her Caesarean.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55Her baby will be delivered two and a half months early.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57Are you nervous?
0:26:57 > 0:27:01Nervous, scared, excited. Everything under the sun.
0:27:01 > 0:27:06He don't know whether to smile or, like...urgh!
0:27:08 > 0:27:11It's really stupid, because I've been diabetic for 24 years,
0:27:11 > 0:27:16but I'm scared to death of other people coming near me with needles.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25A midwife looks after Claire during the epidural injection.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28She'll stay with her throughout the operation.
0:27:29 > 0:27:34Claire is so anxious that Dan is brought into the theatre early
0:27:34 > 0:27:36to help calm her down.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53With the spinal anaesthetic in place,
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Claire is numb from the waist down, but fully conscious.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10- No, I hate Westlife. - HE LAUGHS
0:28:33 > 0:28:35BABY CRIES
0:28:42 > 0:28:45Do you want to see him before I take him?
0:28:45 > 0:28:47Yeah. Oh, my God!
0:28:49 > 0:28:51All right.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58Claire's baby weighs just three pounds.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00He's so premature, he needs to be taken
0:29:00 > 0:29:03straight to neonatal intensive care.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05SHE CRIES
0:29:09 > 0:29:11BABY CRIES
0:29:32 > 0:29:35CLAIRE RETCHES
0:29:35 > 0:29:38CLAIRE VOMITS
0:29:41 > 0:29:44After the operation, Claire has a reaction to the anaesthetic.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48She's a bit poorly, post-delivery.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51She's vomiting and her blood pressure is up,
0:29:51 > 0:29:53but we've given her drugs in her vein to help control that,
0:29:53 > 0:29:56which is why I'm going to go back in five minutes and check it.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00Keeping a close eye on it, cos we don't want it to get any higher,
0:30:00 > 0:30:03cos that, in itself, is extremely dangerous.
0:30:06 > 0:30:07Once the baby has been settled,
0:30:07 > 0:30:10parents are allowed to visit.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12Claire's too unwell to be moved,
0:30:12 > 0:30:15so Dan has to visit their son on his own.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18Hello, Jake. It's your dad.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Mummy's worried about you.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25MACHINES BEEP IN BACKGROUND
0:30:30 > 0:30:35I didn't know whether to be upset because he's like that, or happy...
0:30:35 > 0:30:39- Hello, darling. - Hello, we just need a blood sugar.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41Thank you. No worries. Do you want to see Jake?
0:30:41 > 0:30:44- Not feeling too good again, I'm afraid.- No.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51Don't get upset, will you? Look.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55- Did you get it?- No, not yet. - All right?
0:30:55 > 0:30:57Is that all right there?
0:30:58 > 0:31:01- No, I'd move it if I were you.- No.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05Claire, we're going to give you another drug in your hand for your
0:31:05 > 0:31:08blood pressure, OK, because it's still not coming down quick enough.
0:31:08 > 0:31:13It was about 171/100.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15Prior to that, 178/105.
0:31:15 > 0:31:21MACHINE BEEPS
0:31:23 > 0:31:27At 34 weeks, Michelle's twins are still causing concern.
0:31:27 > 0:31:28Throughout her night on the ward,
0:31:28 > 0:31:31she's continued to show signs of early labour.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35If it was two weeks later on, I'd be really excited now.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39I'd be sat on a birthing ball, going for it, but just...
0:31:39 > 0:31:41- Having a curry!- Yeah.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43..just not quite ready, yet.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49The hospital has to decide if she's at risk of delivering early.
0:31:49 > 0:31:50Hello, Michelle.
0:31:50 > 0:31:55To go into labour you need strong painful contractions that progress, OK?
0:31:55 > 0:31:58So over the next several hours, things really are,
0:31:58 > 0:32:00if you're just contracting occasionally
0:32:00 > 0:32:04and it all settles down, then I'm going to be a bit more relaxed.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07The question is what we do now, really,
0:32:07 > 0:32:10because I think while you still had some tightenings overnight,
0:32:10 > 0:32:14we're honour-bound to say, let's just give you another 24 hours
0:32:14 > 0:32:18and if everything has settled down then we'll let you go home tomorrow.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26Angelique has spent the night in labour.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32As well as gas and air,
0:32:32 > 0:32:36she's now had an injection of pethidine, a powerful painkiller.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39Midwife Zoe is looking after her.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48- Yeah, so you had your pethidine at 6:30?- Yeah.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50- Are you getting any effects from it?- No.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55With four births behind her, she knows that only morphine
0:32:55 > 0:32:58will give her the pain relief she wants.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01The best thing, you know, to speed things up, is to move about.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03To be honest with you, I think I'd only do that
0:33:03 > 0:33:07if I had morphine for the pain. I could do that, then.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11That's fine, you just do whatever you like, I'm just giving you advice
0:33:11 > 0:33:15in case, you know, you know, you know the score, you've had four babies.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18Any chance that we are thinking of morphine?
0:33:18 > 0:33:24- It's a bit early for something else yet.- Yeah.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27She's wanting more pain relief, which is fine,
0:33:27 > 0:33:30but we were just concerned that we can't give her too much in the
0:33:30 > 0:33:33short space of time, because it will affect the baby, as well.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35Oh.
0:33:35 > 0:33:39They're getting really strong and intense, aren't they?
0:33:39 > 0:33:41Talk to me about morphine.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43What are me chances?
0:33:43 > 0:33:47I'll go and adjust your notes and see what we can give you.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51Morphine, morphine, m-m-m-m-m-morphine!
0:34:04 > 0:34:08There you go. Given at 25 past.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12So that's diamorphine.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14It was only a little bit, though, wasn't it?
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Well, no, you got 10 milligrams.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22- Are you sure? - The full amount. Full quota.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24We're not mean, you know.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26- Yeah?- Just testing!
0:34:31 > 0:34:35It's quite strange, because this is last baby.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38- Glenn's booked in to make sure. - Yeah?
0:34:38 > 0:34:43But I'm finding it difficult to see it as the beginning
0:34:44 > 0:34:46and not the end of something.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48- Yeah.- Do you know what I mean?
0:34:48 > 0:34:51It's like this is now the end of being pregnant.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58I've got one that's good for today.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00- Womb.- How is that?
0:35:00 > 0:35:01You spell womb like that?
0:35:01 > 0:35:05Why are you checking? I know how to spell "womb"! I do have one!
0:35:06 > 0:35:08Upstairs, on the maternity ward,
0:35:08 > 0:35:11Holly's waiting to be examined by the medical team.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13It's been a frustrating night.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15I'm having really, really painful contractions
0:35:15 > 0:35:18until about one in the morning and they just suddenly stopped.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24There's not much change from yesterday.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26Still can't get our finger in to break her waters.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29Inductions are never quick.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31Especially, it's her first baby
0:35:31 > 0:35:33and she is only 38 weeks,
0:35:33 > 0:35:36so her body's not ready yet to have this baby.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39So we're really trying to force a natural process.
0:35:39 > 0:35:43I don't think he's going to come today. I think it will be tomorrow.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45Don't get down.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47No, I'm not down, just pissed off.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49No, I know, but, you know.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53I'm destined to be pregnant forever!
0:35:53 > 0:35:54LAUGHS
0:36:02 > 0:36:06After their first night on the ward, Alyson and Ray are still
0:36:06 > 0:36:10relying on the midwives to help them with their new arrival.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13He's gone, isn't he? Ask them all to wake him up.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18- Do you want me to press the buzzer and ask them to wake him up?- Yeah.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22When I'm doing a nappy demonstration or anything and I say,
0:36:22 > 0:36:24"Did you practise with the teddy bear?"
0:36:24 > 0:36:27They just look and go, "No" and I think,
0:36:27 > 0:36:32you could have practised, but a little live baby is wriggling round
0:36:32 > 0:36:35and kicking its legs and probably weeing and pooing at the same time
0:36:35 > 0:36:39as you're trying to do the nappy, so nothing can prepare you to be a parent.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42I think you just, sort of, have got to suck it up
0:36:42 > 0:36:44and get on with it, really.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37- What are you doing? - I put it on, he takes it off!
0:37:37 > 0:37:40- I'm sorry! - BABY SQUEALS
0:37:40 > 0:37:43We can give them help with parenting, how to bath the baby,
0:37:43 > 0:37:47how to feed the baby, but it's not to do everything for them.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50It's to take a step back and to step in where we're needed.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52There's no special way to change a nappy.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56There is no special way to feed your baby. It's your baby.
0:37:56 > 0:37:57Are you happy now?
0:38:00 > 0:38:03- You ready to have a baby, then? - I think we're ready to go.
0:38:03 > 0:38:04Come on, then, let's have it!
0:38:04 > 0:38:08- Do you want me to push?- Just do what your body needs to do.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Well done.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26And again. Take a deep breath.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29Just try and breathe on your gas now. We'll breathe him out.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32Good girl.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34OK, a bit more on the push.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39Good girl. It's just coming. Breathe.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41All right?
0:38:41 > 0:38:43Push down, push down.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47- Look at your baby.- Wow!
0:38:47 > 0:38:52Look! He's amazing, isn't he?
0:38:52 > 0:38:56- Oh!- He's beautiful.- Oh, God!
0:38:56 > 0:39:00You look like everybody else!
0:39:00 > 0:39:04Oh, a beautiful boy!
0:39:04 > 0:39:06- Are you cutting the cord? - Yeah, if you don't mind, yeah.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09- Whereabouts do you want me to cut it?- Just in the middle, there.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12It's really tough, OK?
0:39:14 > 0:39:16It could take a couple...
0:39:16 > 0:39:20Oh!
0:39:20 > 0:39:25- Oh!- Very blue, isn't he?
0:39:25 > 0:39:28- Can I just dry him up a bit?- Yeah.
0:39:28 > 0:39:33- Oh, are you OK?- Yeah, fine.
0:39:33 > 0:39:37He's a bit blue, but I think...
0:39:43 > 0:39:47His heart rate's slow. Heart rate's slow.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50- He's still a little bit... - What's wrong with him?
0:39:50 > 0:39:52- Just going to take him to the resus. - Yeah.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55He's just a bit blue and sleepy.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58He's fine, but we'll take him out and see if he needs a whiff of oxygen.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01He'll be fine, he probably just needs a good rub,
0:40:01 > 0:40:03a good cry, to pink up and clear his airways,
0:40:03 > 0:40:05so they'll do that outside.
0:40:05 > 0:40:09- Will they bring him straight back? - Of course they will, don't worry.
0:40:26 > 0:40:31- After treatment, baby Isaac is now responding well.- Isaac.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34Isaac, let's go and find your mummy.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37Oh!
0:40:37 > 0:40:38Oops!
0:40:42 > 0:40:47He's fine, darling. He's just... full of morphine, like his mother.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50He's still a bit sleepy.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52He's lovely and pink now, isn't he, darling?
0:40:52 > 0:40:53Aren't you?
0:40:53 > 0:40:55FATHER LAUGHS
0:40:55 > 0:40:57ANGELIQUE: Oh, ooh, ooh!
0:40:59 > 0:41:01ANGELIQUE MUMBLES TO BABY
0:41:01 > 0:41:03Hello, dude.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05He looks happy.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11The midwives have found a room for Angelique on the maternity ward.
0:41:11 > 0:41:17She wants some extra time alone with her new baby before she goes home.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21Most hospitals don't have the space, but here they try and offer a bed
0:41:21 > 0:41:24to any mum who wants to stay a bit longer.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27We'll always make room,
0:41:27 > 0:41:30because why should we treat anyone different than anyone else?
0:41:30 > 0:41:33It doesn't matter if it's your first baby or your tenth baby,
0:41:33 > 0:41:36everyone deserves the same treatment
0:41:36 > 0:41:38and some people just need to come in and have a rest.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47- So you've got your own loo, you've got en suite there.- Mm-hm.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51The security tag. So if anyone
0:41:51 > 0:41:53was to take him through the unit,
0:41:53 > 0:41:57it'd all lock down and the alarms would go off, so he can't be stolen.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59- You're a star, thank you.- Pleasure.
0:41:59 > 0:42:04- Aw. Really appreciate it. So does Isaac.- My pleasure.
0:42:04 > 0:42:05Yeah, sound, yeah.
0:42:05 > 0:42:10Especially the en suite bit and the view... A room with a view, eh?
0:42:16 > 0:42:19It's now 36 hours since Alyson gave birth
0:42:19 > 0:42:22and she still isn't feeling any better.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24Blood tests may show why.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30'She's looked paler and paler throughout the day
0:42:30 > 0:42:33'and her iron count's come back at 7.2.'
0:42:33 > 0:42:36The normal range is 11.2-14.8.
0:42:36 > 0:42:41So she's running on about half her amount
0:42:41 > 0:42:43that she should be running on.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46- Hi, you know the blood I took from you this morning?- Yeah.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50OK, it probably is the reason why you are feeling so rubbish,
0:42:50 > 0:42:52cos it's come back at 7.2.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55- Is that me...? Iron count? - That's your iron count, yeah.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58With an iron count of 7.2, you'll probably say yes to a few of these.
0:42:58 > 0:43:03- You'll feel pale, you'll feel like your heart's beating in your chest. - Yeah.
0:43:03 > 0:43:08- You'll feel breathless, you'll feel tired, you'll feel dizzy when you stand up.- Yeah.
0:43:08 > 0:43:12You'll feel lethargic, you'll feel like you've got no energy.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14When it reaches a certain point,
0:43:14 > 0:43:17the doctors will recommend that you have a transfusion.
0:43:17 > 0:43:19There's risks involved with it,
0:43:19 > 0:43:21there's also a lot of benefits involved in it, as well.
0:43:21 > 0:43:23Do you think you want to have one or not?
0:43:23 > 0:43:25I don't want one, but then I'm thinking,
0:43:25 > 0:43:27if it's going to make me feel better...
0:43:27 > 0:43:30I just don't like the thought of someone else's blood being in me.
0:43:30 > 0:43:32The only thing that makes me feel
0:43:32 > 0:43:35is that I can just feel better, like that, in a few hours.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37I don't feel well.
0:43:37 > 0:43:40You'd feel very well after it, you'd feel like a million dollars.
0:43:40 > 0:43:43Your cheeks would be rosy, you'd have yourself back.
0:43:43 > 0:43:45- Can I give you one bit of advice? - Yeah.
0:43:45 > 0:43:47You know when you take your little one home,
0:43:47 > 0:43:50you get to do it once for the first time.
0:43:50 > 0:43:52You need to enjoy this baby.
0:43:52 > 0:43:53You will enjoy them,
0:43:53 > 0:43:57but with an iron count of 7.2, you'll feel awful when you get home!
0:43:57 > 0:44:00If you did decide to have a transfusion,
0:44:00 > 0:44:01it'd be done by tonight.
0:44:01 > 0:44:02All right, OK.
0:44:02 > 0:44:06But that's not to say that I'm telling you to have one, you need to think about it.
0:44:06 > 0:44:09- All right, I will think about it. - All right, OK.
0:44:09 > 0:44:11I actually think she needs it.
0:44:11 > 0:44:14She does need it, but she doesn't have to have it
0:44:14 > 0:44:15if she doesn't want it.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19- It would be best to get that to be fair.- I don't know.
0:44:19 > 0:44:24I'm just... Let me think. I'm a bit tired at the second, so...
0:44:25 > 0:44:27- Just let me think for a bit.- OK.
0:44:27 > 0:44:31And see what...see what I think.
0:44:31 > 0:44:32I don't know.
0:44:33 > 0:44:35Let's have a look at your finger.
0:44:35 > 0:44:39- In room seven, Angelique is getting to know her new baby.- Little hair.
0:44:44 > 0:44:45He's all mine.
0:44:46 > 0:44:50And nobody else wants to have a squeeze or a hug, or...
0:44:52 > 0:44:54I can count his little fingers.
0:44:55 > 0:44:57Yeah...
0:44:58 > 0:44:59Baby...
0:44:59 > 0:45:02'It's just a purely selfish...'
0:45:02 > 0:45:07Wanting to have time by myself
0:45:07 > 0:45:10with Isaac, locked away.
0:45:10 > 0:45:14That's really strange, cos you think when you've got four little monkeys at home...
0:45:15 > 0:45:18..you think you've got no room.
0:45:18 > 0:45:21It's that, kind of, how d'you split yourself into different pieces?
0:45:21 > 0:45:25How d'you...? Where d'you find more love from for another baby?
0:45:25 > 0:45:30And it's crazy, because they put you through absolute bloody agony.
0:45:31 > 0:45:37Gruelling labour, then they scream at you and it's just...
0:45:37 > 0:45:40You can't help it, you just fall head over heels
0:45:40 > 0:45:44and I can honestly say, in the day that he's been here,
0:45:44 > 0:45:47he hasn't even been here a day yet...
0:45:47 > 0:45:50I love him just as much as all the others.
0:45:51 > 0:45:54- All right?- I'll get that sandwich sorted out for you.
0:45:54 > 0:45:56- Thank you very much.- OK.- Thank you.
0:45:56 > 0:45:58It's 24 hours since Claire's Caesarean,
0:45:58 > 0:46:01but she still hasn't touched her baby.
0:46:01 > 0:46:03She's now well enough to visit him for the first time.
0:46:03 > 0:46:06CLAIRE GASPS
0:46:06 > 0:46:10If I lower it down, is it just the foot pedal, is that all right? Yeah.
0:46:11 > 0:46:17Oh, look. Aw, look at him. Oh, big stretch, that's it.
0:46:17 > 0:46:19Big stretch, Jake.
0:46:20 > 0:46:23Put your hands in and you can put one round the back of his head
0:46:23 > 0:46:25but watch these tubes and push.
0:46:25 > 0:46:28- Again, just cup your hand round his head...- Hello, darling!
0:46:28 > 0:46:31You've not to stroke him though, cos he's very sensitive,
0:46:31 > 0:46:32so just put your hands on him.
0:46:32 > 0:46:34- Like that?- That's it, yeah.
0:46:34 > 0:46:38- Hello!- Hey, Jake, Mum's come to see you.
0:46:38 > 0:46:41- Yeah!- Oh, look!
0:46:41 > 0:46:46Hello, sweetheart. I'm sorry it's been so long.
0:46:47 > 0:46:50The main problem we had yesterday that he's needed quite a lot of treatment for -
0:46:50 > 0:46:53ironically, compared to you - he's had a low blood pressure,
0:46:53 > 0:46:57but we're, overall, pleased, really, taking it all into consideration.
0:46:57 > 0:46:59That's great.
0:46:59 > 0:47:01- All right?- Yeah.
0:47:01 > 0:47:03Say bye to him, then. He can hear you.
0:47:03 > 0:47:05Oh, I'm sorry, yeah. Bye, sweetheart. We'll be back soon!
0:47:05 > 0:47:07All right, love you!
0:47:07 > 0:47:09SHE BLOWS KISSES TO BABY
0:47:09 > 0:47:12MACHINES BEEP
0:47:12 > 0:47:17He's gorgeous. Absolutely perfect.
0:47:19 > 0:47:21(Well done.)
0:47:30 > 0:47:33Alyson has decided to have the blood transfusion.
0:47:34 > 0:47:36Over the next few hours,
0:47:36 > 0:47:39she will receive three pints of donor blood
0:47:39 > 0:47:40to boost her iron levels.
0:47:42 > 0:47:43So if your iron count's 7.2,
0:47:43 > 0:47:46three units should probably bring it up to ten point something.
0:47:46 > 0:47:48All right, fingers crossed.
0:47:48 > 0:47:51She'll be monitored closely throughout
0:47:51 > 0:47:52to check for a bad reaction.
0:47:53 > 0:47:57It's a blood product going into your body, so your body can reject it.
0:47:57 > 0:48:00At any point during the transfusion, you can start to feel unwell.
0:48:08 > 0:48:10I feel fine, like, not in pain
0:48:10 > 0:48:13but then I'm wondering why I'm not in pain.
0:48:13 > 0:48:16I feel like I shouldn't be here. I feel like I'm...
0:48:16 > 0:48:20I don't feel like I'm being induced...at all.
0:48:21 > 0:48:25After three days, and three doses of induction drugs,
0:48:25 > 0:48:28Holly has failed to make any progress.
0:48:29 > 0:48:31She's been here so long,
0:48:31 > 0:48:36it's nothing anything anybody's done, but you can sort of, you know,
0:48:36 > 0:48:38make it better by saying things to her,
0:48:38 > 0:48:40"Well, look, I know you've been here a while,
0:48:40 > 0:48:43"but you're increasing your chances of having a normal delivery
0:48:43 > 0:48:47"cos you're not just bailing out and having a Caesarean, then."
0:48:47 > 0:48:50- It goes hard, like now.- Yeah, there's something happening now.
0:48:50 > 0:48:52- Is there any pain or...?- No.
0:48:52 > 0:48:55Sometimes this is how it starts, with no pain,
0:48:55 > 0:48:57but it's just starting, yeah.
0:48:57 > 0:49:00'Just keep giving it positive and then every time you go in
0:49:00 > 0:49:03'if you've noticed that she's had'
0:49:03 > 0:49:06some contractions then you can say, "Oh, great, you've had this"
0:49:06 > 0:49:08and encourage it that way, rather than saying,
0:49:08 > 0:49:10"You're still here from Saturday?"
0:49:10 > 0:49:13You're doing everything that you should do,
0:49:13 > 0:49:14there's nothing more you can do...
0:49:15 > 0:49:18..apart from some dynamite up there!
0:49:18 > 0:49:21We can't start an induction, have that induction not work
0:49:21 > 0:49:23and then send the woman home.
0:49:23 > 0:49:24The baby needs to be born.
0:49:24 > 0:49:27She's been induced because the baby's at risk,
0:49:27 > 0:49:28because of her medical condition,
0:49:28 > 0:49:30so we've got to get on with it.
0:49:30 > 0:49:33We started, so we'll finish.
0:49:33 > 0:49:37The doctors have come to a decision that Holly was hoping to avoid.
0:49:37 > 0:49:41How are you? We have really tried getting you into labour...
0:49:41 > 0:49:43- Yeah, OK. - ..but nothing is changing.
0:49:43 > 0:49:46I think we'll probably go ahead with a Caesarean section.
0:49:49 > 0:49:55Oh, well, decision now. Yeah? You'll see your baby boy in a minute. Yeah?
0:49:59 > 0:50:02'I was just a bit gutted, because I wanted to feel natural birth,'
0:50:02 > 0:50:08but I've tried my best, but my cervix won't dilate, so...
0:50:11 > 0:50:12She doesn't want to have a C-section.
0:50:12 > 0:50:15I think it's just the fear of going under the knife, innit?
0:50:16 > 0:50:20But...what will be, will be, eh?
0:50:20 > 0:50:23I hate surgery and I think because it's such a big surgery
0:50:23 > 0:50:24and I've got to...
0:50:24 > 0:50:26I know you can't feel the pain, but you can still feel it,
0:50:26 > 0:50:29it's making me feel sick thinking about it.
0:50:31 > 0:50:33At least I know he's definitely on his way now.
0:50:36 > 0:50:37OK?
0:50:38 > 0:50:39Hat.
0:50:39 > 0:50:41That's it.
0:50:41 > 0:50:43LAUGHTER
0:50:43 > 0:50:44- Love you.- Give your mum a kiss.
0:50:44 > 0:50:47- All right, I'll see you in a bit. - You givin' him a kiss?
0:50:47 > 0:50:51- I'll see you in a minute anyway. - Do it anyway, just in case.
0:51:02 > 0:51:05- You can get ready for this final bit now.- Does it hurt?
0:51:05 > 0:51:08No, no, it just feels a little bit uncomfortable, but we just need to position you.
0:51:08 > 0:51:10Let me know if it hurts, all right?
0:51:12 > 0:51:15- Just pressing, can you just feel pressing?- Yeah.
0:51:19 > 0:51:21- Do you feel warm yet? - Yeah, all down my legs.- Yeah?
0:51:21 > 0:51:26- I can't feel my bum!- I know. Already! I told you it's quick.
0:51:34 > 0:51:36You all right?
0:51:39 > 0:51:44- (Oh, big, big!) - Yeah, that's fine. He's good.
0:51:47 > 0:51:48Ooh, hello!
0:51:48 > 0:51:50There you go!
0:51:50 > 0:51:53- He wants a cuddle! - Is he all right?- He'll be fine.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58Congratulations, he's lovely!
0:52:01 > 0:52:03There you go, d'you want to hold him?
0:52:03 > 0:52:07Let me have a look at my baby. Hello, gorgeous.
0:52:07 > 0:52:10Just keep the hat on the head.
0:52:14 > 0:52:16I can't really believe it.
0:52:21 > 0:52:24BABY WAILS
0:52:36 > 0:52:40Holly and her new baby are taken back up to the maternity ward,
0:52:40 > 0:52:43where they'll spend the next few days.
0:52:47 > 0:52:48He's so cute.
0:52:56 > 0:52:57We've just been into town.
0:52:57 > 0:53:01Took these into town, just went down to...
0:53:01 > 0:53:03Just now?
0:53:04 > 0:53:09Angelique's four other children have come to meet their new brother.
0:53:09 > 0:53:14- Can you see his toes, Isabel? Touch his toes.- Hello!- Hey, Max.
0:53:14 > 0:53:17- Why's that on his foot? - He had to have his blood taken.- Oh.
0:53:17 > 0:53:19BABY WAILS
0:53:19 > 0:53:21- Oh! - ANGELIQUE LAUGHS
0:53:25 > 0:53:27I realised that, cos it was her last baby,
0:53:27 > 0:53:32and by the things she was telling me and her body language,
0:53:32 > 0:53:35I think she wanted to hold on to that baby and that pregnancy
0:53:35 > 0:53:37for just that bit longer.
0:53:37 > 0:53:40Even when she came to pushing him out, I think she was just,
0:53:40 > 0:53:42you know, taking her time, really.
0:53:42 > 0:53:44Stop it, there he is!
0:53:44 > 0:53:46He could've been born a bit quicker, perhaps,
0:53:46 > 0:53:52but she might say I've got that wrong! I've got a hunch, though.
0:53:52 > 0:53:54Oh, he's had a poo on me!
0:53:54 > 0:53:58- Oh, no! Why's he not got a nappy on?!- He has.
0:53:58 > 0:53:59Eww!
0:54:00 > 0:54:03Well, I'm not doing that one this time.
0:54:03 > 0:54:07After her blood transfusion, Alyson is feeling better.
0:54:07 > 0:54:11- She is now ready to go home. - Yes, right.
0:54:11 > 0:54:12That's for you to fill in.
0:54:12 > 0:54:15You can either fill it in now or when you go home, all right?
0:54:15 > 0:54:17It's just to let us know about your experiences,
0:54:17 > 0:54:21what you thought was good and what you didn't think was so good, OK?
0:54:21 > 0:54:23It's just so that we can make our service better.
0:54:23 > 0:54:26Obviously, if there was anything that you were really happy with,
0:54:26 > 0:54:28then it'd be nice to hear from you about that.
0:54:28 > 0:54:30- All right, that's great. - OK, so if you don't mind.
0:54:30 > 0:54:34If he's unwell in any way, shape or form, then get him seen.
0:54:34 > 0:54:36You know, if you think he's got a temperature, all right?
0:54:36 > 0:54:39I'll be like constantly on the phone, like, "Oh, he blinked!
0:54:39 > 0:54:40- "Is he all right?"- Yeah.
0:55:03 > 0:55:06Not everyone is going home holding a baby.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08After three nights on the ward,
0:55:08 > 0:55:10things have settled down for Michelle and Donna.
0:55:12 > 0:55:15- Did you sleep all right or...? - I slept through.- Good, very good.
0:55:15 > 0:55:18- No bleeding, no loss, no tightenings?- No.
0:55:18 > 0:55:22It sounds like you'll be able to go home, doesn't it? That's a big smile.
0:55:23 > 0:55:28I'm going home! I'm going home for another three weeks...at least
0:55:28 > 0:55:30and then I'll have him.
0:55:31 > 0:55:33That's my plan.
0:55:33 > 0:55:35Got the car keys?
0:55:36 > 0:55:37All right. Lovely.
0:55:37 > 0:55:39- Thanks.- Bye.
0:55:49 > 0:55:51Three days after he was born,
0:55:51 > 0:55:53Claire's baby still needs intensive care,
0:55:53 > 0:55:58but today he's stable enough to be held for the first time.
0:55:58 > 0:56:01- OK, Mum, are you ready? - Yeah, oh, yeah. I'm more than ready!
0:56:04 > 0:56:06CLAIRE SQUEALS
0:56:11 > 0:56:13Oh!
0:56:14 > 0:56:18- Oh!- Is he OK on that side? - Yeah. Hello, sweetheart.
0:56:18 > 0:56:22- BABY WAILS - Oh, it's all right.
0:56:23 > 0:56:25Fine.
0:56:25 > 0:56:28Shhh! There we go.
0:56:28 > 0:56:34Oh, look, look, look. Shhh...
0:56:34 > 0:56:37Eh, we'll make it all right.
0:56:37 > 0:56:42Shhh... There we go.
0:56:42 > 0:56:45There you are, it's all right, don't worry.
0:56:47 > 0:56:51Aw, that's better, that's better.
0:56:51 > 0:56:55See? You're all right. We're fine.
0:56:55 > 0:57:00Mummy's here. Mummy's here.
0:57:00 > 0:57:02He's just so small!
0:57:05 > 0:57:08Aren't you so small?
0:57:08 > 0:57:11You don't have to cover your face!
0:57:15 > 0:57:16- Thanks.- Thank you.
0:57:27 > 0:57:29I don't want to go, I want to stay!
0:57:38 > 0:57:40It's wind.
0:57:41 > 0:57:43I think he's thrown it up.
0:57:43 > 0:57:45We need to get him more.
0:57:45 > 0:57:48I have days, I think everyone has days where I just think,
0:57:48 > 0:57:50"I wish we were shut.
0:57:50 > 0:57:54"I wish we could shut and say, 'No more. No more room at the inn.' "
0:57:55 > 0:57:58"'The door's closed'," but we're never shut.
0:57:58 > 0:58:0124 hours a day, we're always here.
0:58:01 > 0:58:03We'll always make room.
0:58:03 > 0:58:07It's just, literally, sometimes you can send someone home
0:58:07 > 0:58:09and then make the bed, do the floor
0:58:09 > 0:58:14and then someone else is in the bed and the floor's just barely dry.
0:58:42 > 0:58:46Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd