Jordan and Jamie Don't Just Stand There... I'm Having Your Baby

-Pain.

-SHE PANTS

Labour.

SHE SCREAMS

Good girl.

A newborn baby.

The biggest day for any new mum.

But do the dads get a look in?

One in three young men in the UK feel left out of the pregnancy

and side-lined at the birth.

Men do tend to take a back seat.

We're just really there to take the abuse.

But all that is about to change.

This whole pregnancy is happening to me as well.

I'm not pregnant but I'm, in a sense, going through it.

In this brand-new series, first time dads-to-be will get

a crash course to hopefully become the perfect birthing partner.

SHE SCREAMS

I don't think I'm prepared at all.

I haven't got a clue at the minute.

It's such an unknown to me, and that really scares me.

Put through their paces by midwives with years of experience...

So you tell me what you can feel.

We've never done anything like this before, working with the father.

It's going to be really different for us.

..and with each other for moral support...

Thank God you're here.

..these men will get closer to the delivery action

than they could have ever imagined.

He's done brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

-I've got a tear in my eye now.

-Yeah, yeah. Lovely, isn't it?

But when push comes to shove...

Come on, push, push!

Keep on going, baby girl. Keep on going, baby girl.

..will these dads deliver?

It's the hardest thing I've ever done, this.

This programme contains some strong language.

Tonight, two young dads-to-be in urgent need of help.

In Milton Keynes, 23-year-old Jamie and Karen had only

known each other for three weeks when their lives changed forever.

It was literally the first time that we'd slept together

that she got pregnant. It was a huge shock.

I was on the pill. I wasn't expecting it.

So it does happen - first times can happen.

But with just two months to go,

boy's boy Jamie has yet to face up to being a dad.

He's still clinging on to being a lad.

He's just a party animal but I suppose that's going to cut...

Well, it has cut down a little bit, not a lot.

Oh.

But Jamie's partying hasn't cut down enough for Karen's liking.

It's almost like he's trying to ignore the situation

by still going out, still sort of living the life he did before.

And all the nights out don't leave much time for swatting up

on the facts of pregnancy.

When I say, like, I'm having a contraction,

do you know what it is that's contracting?

Not exactly.

His base level is zero.

He knows the baby comes out of the vagina and that's about it.

Have you heard of afterbirth?

After you've given birth.

-If I go, like, overdue...

-What's that mean?

Karen's been nagging me to read these books and things

and that's been the last thing on my mind.

I don't think I'm prepared at all.

Also, Karen suffers from a blood disorder called ITP,

which affects the body's ability to stop bleeding.

This may mean she can't have pain relief at the birth.

So, literally, I'm just sort of going to go in,

and have as natural a birth as I can.

Helping Karen through a drug-free, painful labour

means Jamie's support will be even more important.

It would just be a massive weight off my shoulders

knowing that Jamie knows what to expect.

You know, if a worst-case scenario was to happen, then

he would be OK under the pressure cos he will know what to do.

With time running out, and Jamie showing little

sign of mending his ways, Karen's at the end of her tether.

At the moment, cos he doesn't know anything,

I think he'll be more of a burden than a help.

70 miles away, in Leicestershire, is problem dad-to-be number two.

I don't know an awful lot about babies.

They need feeding, they go to sleep

and then you need to change the nappy. That's about it, really.

19-year-old Jordan

and 18-year-old Angel met on the internet a year ago.

Now they're moving in together and Angel's eight months pregnant.

I didn't plan to get pregnant and I was really shocked when it

happened and I was really worried about what me and Jordan would do.

Now, cos we're going to be living together,

I'm really excited about it and I can't wait.

With the responsibility of a flat, bills to pay and a baby coming,

Jordan's not your average teenager.

Put them in there for now.

No, I don't go out drinking every weekend or owt like that.

In fact, we'll just stick 'em straight in the oven.

I'm not a big clubby person - I prefer to stay in and watch TV.

-Do you want to stick them under the sink for us, please?

-Yeah.

You know, family's the most important thing.

It's much nicer going on a walk with a family

than being stuck on the Xbox.

This teenage dad-to-be does want to get hands-on in the delivery room.

The only problem is young Jordan lacks confidence.

I don't really feel prepared at all, really.

I do want to be involved.

You know, I've always said that I wanted to cut the cord

and obviously I'm a bit nervous of doing it.

Ah, maybe it goes that way.

At the moment, he doesn't really know anything about labour

and what to do and so he's completely clueless.

I think I've got it now.

I'd just stand there, really, and obviously, probably, just hold

Angel's hand and let everybody do what they want.

Jordan's desperate to man up quickly to avoid getting sidelined at

the birth because willing and very able to help out is Angel's mum.

I'm going to actually touch your belly when you're in labour

cos I want to see if I can feel a contraction.

Do you want a hand?

No, it's all right.

I think that Jordan's worried about having my mum there.

I think he feels like she's going to be all the help

and he's just going to be useless.

Two times.

Angel and Jordan are quite young parents.

I mean, if he needs my input, I'd help calm him down and just

take over looking after them both, really,

getting them both through it.

I'd prefer him, probably more than anyone around me,

cos I love him so much and he's so important to me

so I'd like him to get involved quite a lot. As much as he can.

Jordan and Jamie are going to need all the expert advice

they can get to rise to the occasion.

Taking on this unique challenge to transform these two lads

into super dads are two teams of experienced midwives.

Hello, Labour Ward.

Hiya, I'm here to meet Angela.

Whipping Jamie into shape at Milton Keynes Hospital

is Angela Weatherley.

-Hi.

-Hey.

-Jamie?

-Yep. Is it Angela?

She's delivered 600 babies in 11 years as a midwife,

but does she have what it takes to tame a party animal like Jamie?

Jamie hasn't sort of read any books, like I have.

He doesn't know anything about pregnancy, about labour,

about the birth, about the first couple of weeks.

I think the only reason why he's like that is he's just naive, really,

naive to the whole situation.

..Thinking about how are you going to support her.

Have you thought about it?

Well, yeah, I have thought about it

but I don't really know what... how I can help.

How would you...? What have you thought about?

I don't know, really.

At the moment, she knows that I know nothing

and haven't got a clue about what she's going to be going through.

With only weeks to go until the birth,

Angela's already worried about Jamie.

He needs to get stuck in so that he can be a proper father for baby

and a support for Karen because their relationship's going to be

built on how helpful he can be.

In terms of Karen, she's got a blood condition, hasn't she?

Yeah.

The chances are much higher that she won't be able to have an epidural,

analgesics, and anaesthesia, so it's going to be that much more on your shoulders.

Right.

Angela urgently wants him to understand

the crucial role he must play in supporting Karen through the birth.

So maybe it would be a good idea to start off by trying

to understand a little bit about what a contraction might be like.

It'd help.

-So you can take your shoes and your socks off.

-Oh, God.

To help do this, she has a plan which will give Jamie

an idea about the intensity of pain in labour.

A contraction is about a minute long.

So we're going to see whether you can last for a minute

and I'd like you to put your feet in there.

-Both?

-Both. Right under. Go on, that's it.

Now, how's it feeling?

Freezing.

Tell us how it's feeling. Talk me through it.

My feet feel like they're going to fall off.

While Karen may have to endure hours of pain

under the midwife's supervision, Jamie only has to manage one minute.

HE GASPS

So we're halfway through.

We're at the peak of the contraction now. 50 seconds.

HE MOANS

55. And up to 60.

So that's about a minute. How did that feel?

I feel a bit sick. One of the worst pains I've felt.

I don't know how she's going to manage.

Well, she's going to manage because you're going to help her.

You're going to support her and she really needs that.

Imagine what it would be like for her if you weren't there.

If that's anything like what a contraction is, then yeah,

it's pretty mind-blowing,

and when I took my feet out I did feel kind of physically sick.

I was just, I don't know, it was really weird.

I just wasn't expecting it to be as bad as it was.

After one lesson, Angela evaluates the challenge ahead.

Jamie didn't know anything when he first came in.

He was more clued up on how to go down the pub with his mates

than becoming a father.

So it's really important that he starts to think about what

he can actually do to help her.

But it seems the short, sharp shock treatment might have finally

woken Jamie up to what lies ahead.

I think, after today, it does give me a better understanding

of the role that I'll play if she's going through that much pain.

I think it has taken me a lot longer to come to terms with

the fact that we're going to be parents.

I definitely think I'm slowly building up

and getting a bit better and more knowledgeable and more helpful.

Meanwhile, in Leicestershire...

-Hello.

-Hello, how are you doing?

-I'm Jordan.

Guiding Jordan through labour is Nicky Cuthbert.

At 26, she has five years' experience as a midwife

but can she turn teenage Jordan into the confident dad he wants to be?

I think a lot of younger dads especially

lack confidence and that can come across as a little

bit like they don't care what's going on when they definitely do.

I haven't seen anybody in labour before, no.

No, OK.

Well, me and Debbie, Debbie's another midwife from our team,

are going to hopefully help you understand a little bit more

about how to support Angel in her labour,

and little tips that might help you feel more confident. OK?

And to start with, they're throwing Jordan in at the deep end

as Nicky's colleague, Debbie, begins to simulate labour.

Do you need anything doing? Do you need...?

MOANING

Oh, it's coming, it's com... Oh, do come here.

What, what do you need? What do you want doing?

SHE MOANS

Would sitting down help?

Huh. I'll try the bed.

After two long minutes,

Nicky decides to put a dumbstruck Jordan out of his misery.

Debbie's a difficult customer, but that is quite an accurate

representation of the later stages of labour.

Did it make you feel uncomfortable?

I didn't expect it to be that intense and especially

when there was nothing you can do or anything.

You know how Debbie was pacing and she was getting all frantic

and didn't know what to do with herself?

That's really normal during labour but sometimes, just having that focus,

eye to eye contact, taking her hand and saying,

"You're going to be OK. Take a big deep breath in with me and out."

And then she'll just naturally keep that rhythm more and more.

After Nicky's top tips, Jordan tries again.

OK, so Debbie's back in labour.

Do you want to see how you can support her and ease her back.

-Are you OK?

-Oh. Yeah.

-Are you OK like that?

Maybe we could try standing up slightly, do you think?

Or leaning over? Is it niggly?

SHE MOANS

Maybe try it? That's it. One more try.

Try leaning onto the bed like that. OK.

-Oh, that's better. That's better.

-OK, better?

-Better.

SHE MOANS AND PANTS

OK. Breathe out. Out through your mouth.

And again.

SHE GASPS AND MOANS

Breathe slowly.

Just remember, in through your nose and out through your mouth.

My goodness. I think you did really, really well.

-Does that feel better?

-Yeah. Thank you.

For the teenage Jordan with zero experience of childbirth

before today, it's one big step forward.

For somebody like me to come in and be like that straightaway,

it is, you know, it is overwhelming

because it's like, "Well, what do I do?"

It's really important to remember during the labour that

you're incredibly important to whatever happens.

So keep that in your mind.

Angel's mum and the midwives will be there

but ultimately, you're her partner.

It was really good.

Very interesting and makes me feel a bit more confident on things to do,

and how I can actually help Angel when she actually goes into labour.

But Nicky knows there's still a long way to go.

He's not the finished article because, until a real labour,

you can't entirely know how you're going to react.

I think he's on his way,

but I think there are other ways we can help him.

While Jordan's eager to face up to his responsibilities,

party boy Jamie is off on a lads' night out where,

despite best intentions, his willpower may be tested.

So tonight, I'm just going to go down, meet a few of my mates,

play some pool and have a couple of beers.

Just catch up, really.

Jamie's promised Karen it won't be a big night.

-Speak to you later.

-See you later. Have a nice time.

And he says he'll be home at a sensible hour.

Out of Jamie's tight-knit group of friends,

he will be the first one to become a dad.

THEY ALL LAUGH

What about you boys? When are you having one?

THEY LAUGH

It's closing time, when Jamie said he'd be heading homeward.

What are we doing? Going out for a drink somewhere?

Revs till 12 and then home.

But the pull of his old life proves too much

and Jamie forgets his promise to Karen.

Cheers.

It's after midnight in Milton Keynes.

Jamie's had a call from Karen and is in big trouble.

Was it a subtle "not happy" or was it shouting "not happy"?

This is ridiculous. Why am I out this late?

I should have gone home, like, ages ago.

I can't say anything that'll make...

Don't worry about it.

A little bit worried, cos obviously Karen's going through

so much worse and I'm still going out so, yeah,

I don't think I'm in her good books at the moment.

Over two hours late, Jamie arrives home.

Next morning, and he's still in the dog house.

I was trying to get hold of you for, you know, a good hour

and you didn't look at your phone.

It annoyed me that something could have happened.

Obviously, that sort of stuff worries me -

that something'll happen and I won't be able to get through to you.

I don't know. I just didn't want to face the reality of it.

-Yeah.

-Kind of.

I just get caught up and don't have any willpower to stop

or stop drinking and come home.

You know, you say you've got no willpower now.

Why should I think that'll change when the baby's here?

Yeah, I've just got to try and prove that to you.

He needs to start living OUR life

cos at the moment he's still just living his.

It's been eight months since Karen fell pregnant

and Jamie the lad is still struggling to face up

to being Jamie the dad.

I've just got to prove to her and myself that I am going to change,

that I am going to be there.

So midwife Angela's come up with a last ditch attempt to help him

start connecting with his child.

And she's brought in a special assistant.

-You look frightened.

-I just don't know what to expect.

-What am I going to do to you next?

-Yeah. What else is there in store?

Oh, my God.

-Hi.

-You all right?

-Yeah.

What are you doing here?

Surprising you.

Jamie's struggled to connect with the idea of becoming a dad.

Angela is hoping that getting him hands-on will help.

Jamie's role is to stay with her and be there for her

and nurture her through a labour and birth.

Without him, she'll be really frightened.

We want to use this time that we've got with Karen to see

if you can get to know baby a little bit better.

So, any idea?

To do this, she teaches him to work out where the baby is in the womb.

Not too hard but firm enough so that you can feel it.

This needs to be done carefully and with the supervision of a midwife.

I'm guessing that his head's, like, at one side.

It feels more solid on this side.

Yeah. It's a good start.

But Jamie's learning fast.

I feel his head and his bum.

You've got that completely spot on. You felt that head.

-Yeah.

-Definitely, didn't you?

-You could feel round the head, yeah.

It's nice to know that he can feel it.

I don't have a clue where he is until the midwife tells me

so it's nice that he can. He knows where it is.

-And listen to baby's heart rate?

-Yes, please.

Now Jamie feels more key signs of the teeny life inside Karen.

Do you know what the heart rate should be like? What number?

-Not for a baby.

-How many beats a minute?

I know that ours is around sort of 60, 70.

-OK, so baby's smaller.

-Yeah.

-A bit more like a little bird.

So it's going boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.

Somewhere between the region of 120 and 160 beats a minute

is normal for a baby.

Growing confident with Jamie's progress,

Angela allows him even more responsibility.

Put your ear to that and then once you've got the ear positioned

then take your hands away and listen.

For the first time,

party animal Jamie is falling for his unborn child.

So tune into that sound - the doom, doom, doom.

Don't look at me.

SHE LAUGHS

Yeah.

It takes a lot of practice.

It might be something that - more homework -

something that you can try at home

as well as putting your ear directly on Karen's tummy.

Just to feel for the baby and then listen to his heartbeat,

it does make it feel a lot more real.

It'll be interesting to watch how you cope.

Well, I'll have to try.

Even Karen is feeling more reassured.

It would be nice - the more sessions that we do -

hopefully he'll sort of come to terms with how important

he is in the labour and the birth.

With just weeks to go until the big day, the midwives have arranged

for the debut dads to meet up as part of their parental preparation.

-Hello, mate. How's it going?

-I'm Jordan.

-It's nice to meet you.

-You too.

The lads visit a place close to Jamie's heart

and one Jordan visits less often - the pub.

-We're going for a drink in there?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

Sometimes it's quite hard not feeling like

a part of the whole baby.

I just feel like I'm maybe not doing enough

or maybe not doing what I should be doing, just to help her.

Or to feel a part of it, really.

You've made that baby and, you know,

your partner's carried that baby throughout the whole time.

You want them to know that you are happy and you're excited

and, you know, to be able to bring them into the world.

For me, it's like... I've said it lots of times...

You want to be a part of it as much as you can.

Yeah. I've said lots of times I wish I could feel him kicking.

Angel said to put your finger inside your mouth and push out

and hold it there for about ten seconds.

She said that's actually how it feels when baby kicks.

They're feeling it inside them.

You know, just little things like that, it's like, "Wow!"

D'you know what I mean?

As Jordan warms to the lads' bonding session,

he shares his fears of being sidelined at the birth.

Although you want to be there for your partner as much as possible,

that's your main aim, to be there for your partner,

you have to be a little bit selfish,

and think, "I actually want to do something for me as well."

When you think of a birth it's, OK, you're there,

you support your partner.

The baby comes out, and gets put straight onto their mum

and you have to wait a good five minutes

until you actually get hold of your own baby.

So from a selfish point of view,

before the midwives have got their hands all over 'em

and things like that, just for me to have that first contact.

Yeah, I'd definitely agree and love something like that as well.

You just want to be fully involved in delivering

that baby as soon as it arrives.

I mean, I'd jump at the chance of doing anything like that.

-Good luck as well.

-Yeah, you too.

Hopefully, a nice healthy baby on the way soon.

Yeah, let's hope.

For both dads, meeting up has helped each of them

feel more confident about impending fatherhood.

It's been a good day.

Meeting someone that's going through, well,

he's been through what I'm going through already.

Yeah, it was good to meet someone that knows what I'm feeling, really.

Jamie's a nice lad.

You know, it's nice if somebody's had a similar experience to you

and they've gone through similar things to you.

Next day, and fresh from the lads' pep talk,

Jordan's discussing birth plans with Angel.

If I kind of took a back seat, it would be like I'm not

really involved and also,

I don't want you to feel like I'm not bothered

or I'm not interested, when I am.

It's just obviously not knowing what to do.

It'd be easier to let your mum take control.

I want you to be stuck in.

Yeah, I will.

She obviously knows a lot more than I do, like

how to help you and things, so it's like...

-Mm, but I think I would prefer you doing more stuff.

-Yeah.

You know, I don't want you to be in pain or upset or anything but...

I think just trying to support you and obviously,

you know, hopefully you'll tell me what you want

and what you don't want at times.

Yeah, but if I think I want something and then I change my mind,

I don't want to make you feel bad.

No, but that's obviously expected.

We'll get through it. We're both there for you, aren't we?

With Angel counting on him,

it's down to Jordan to make sure he's fully prepared for the big day.

So he's heading off for another midwife session.

See you, have a good time.

The teenage couple have opted for a birthing pool

so their baby will be born under water

and Jordan wants to know what support he can offer Angel.

Jordan's really, really keen to have that massive part

in introducing baby to the world.

So hopefully, once Angel's birthed baby,

then Jordan can just help guide baby up to the surface.

But with water births, there are special considerations.

It's very important when baby's coming up to the surface that

baby doesn't obviously then go back down again.

Cos for a long length of time, if baby was under the water,

then the oxygen is depleting and baby could be at risk of drowning.

-Hello.

-Hello.

Would it make you nervous,

the thought of guiding the baby to the surface?

Yeah, because obviously it's not something that you'd normally do.

And it's something that obviously I'm not trained to do,

like you are, so it's a bit... It's a bit daunting.

With this position,

if you imagine Angel was labouring here, you can be rubbing her back

and doing all those bits but in a perfect position.

The birthing centre allow dads to get in the pool with Mum,

meaning Jordan could get the key role at the birth

he's got his heart set on.

Baby just sort of pops out and into the water.

So if we imagine what we're doing on you,

if you lean forward and then we can...

-I can have a baby.

-You can have a baby too.

When the baby is born, Jordan can catch it and gently guide it between

Angel's legs to the surface to take the all-important first breath.

And so remember, once your baby has taken a breath of air,

your baby then obviously can't go back underneath the water again. OK.

If you dunk the baby back underneath the water, it could drown in

the same sense that we could drown if we went underneath the water.

For a 19-year-old who was lacking confidence from the start,

it's a big responsibility.

-So you need to be guided by us on the day.

-Yeah.

OK, and if everything's straightforward and fine,

-then there should be no problems with you doing it.

-Yeah.

But we'll be very strict if we feel like there's any reason why

we wouldn't want you to be doing it and just let you know at the time.

If the situation happens that I can't be as involved as I want to be

then obviously it's disappointing, but I wouldn't want to do anything

which can harm the baby or Angel. They're the priority, really.

The possibility of having such an important role in the birth

has put Jordan on a high, brimming with confidence.

It's so amazing thinking that I can be in the pool with you.

Me and you can both guide baby up together

and watch them having their first breath.

I said, "That's just so amazing."

It's really nice to see that you're really happy about it

and really getting involved now. It's lovely. It's great.

I can't wait now. I said that to you earlier, didn't I?

I said I can't wait now. I just want the baby to be here.

It'll be good.

With the births looming, and the dads desperate to learn more,

the midwives crank it up a gear.

-Thank you.

-Go and get changed.

-Will do.

-Congratulations.

-Thank you.

Angela shows Jamie natural pain relief techniques

to support Karen during birth.

Lower. It's good.

Do I keep my hand in the same place or work around?

Yeah, that's fine. That's good.

And instead of partying...

You look like me.

..Jamie spends a whole weekend as a heavily-pregnant woman.

And midwife Angela notices a massive transformation.

He's starting to put everything into place.

He's a different person now, he really seems engaged.

Jordan gradually boosts his confidence further by learning

to cut a real umbilical cord.

Like cutting a bit of fat off a steak or something.

-That was the same.

-Yeah, it's really tough.

I think this is going to be my chair.

So now you can either rock forwards, like that.

Go forward and then you can do that way.

Jordan's learnt loads about the equipment

so he'll be really good at guiding you.

His confidence has grown.

Do exactly the same. Rock from side to side.

Ah. So tiny. You don't realise how tiny they are, do you?

And the reality of becoming a dad at his tender age starts to hit home.

I'm 19 and obviously your biggest worry is what happens if I do

drop them or something like that cos you...

And also, you see their head bobbling about

and you're always thinking, "Oh, my God."

You know, it just makes you worry and think,

"I've got to do this properly."

Finally, in Leicestershire, it's D-day for Jordan.

I'm getting contractions - of course I'm sweaty!

Angel's contractions have started,

so her parents are driving them to the birthing centre

in nearby Melton Mowbray.

Watch your driving - she's bobbling about too much.

Her contractions have been about a couple of minutes apart

to a minute apart.

They've been lasting for about a minute, so they told us to head down.

You've been in a lot of pain, haven't you?

We haven't had much sleep. You've been sick a few times, haven't you?

Jordan and Angel have opted for a birthing pool where the water

is heated up to around 37 degrees, to help relieve the pain of labour.

-Hello.

-Come on straight through.

-Cheers.

But as well as a birthing pool, she'll need to lean heavily

on both her birthing partners - her mum and Jordan.

Over the last few weeks, teenage Jordan has had to man up fast...

I think I've got it now.

..build up his child birth confidence...

Breathe slowly, that's lovely.

In through your nose and out through your mouth.

..and under the midwife's supervision,

prepare for a key role in the water birth.

If you dunk the baby back underneath the water, baby could drown in

the same sense that we could drown if we went underneath the water.

The couple have been planning this day for months

but now that push comes to shove, will Jordan have the confidence

to step up and play the leading role he craves?

A sip of water?

Yeah, I'll try some water. OK.

Angel's contractions are getting stronger

and her mum steps in to help.

I'm going to go and get the ball and things, all right?

Jordan will need to draw on all his training to keep Angel calm,

starting with his knowledge of the first stages of labour.

It all depends on how long your contractions are,

that's what she was saying.

Get you moving about and get them to how they were

and if they were how they were, they might take...

You might take two or three hours. You might take five or six.

Don't tell me that. It hurts.

No. I mean...it all depends.

I had all night with them.

In Milton Keynes, it could be the moment of truth for Jamie and Karen.

-KAREN:

-It's like 12.45 in the morning.

I'm going to go into the living room cos

I can't get comfortable in bed now.

Here, I'm going to leave you to go back to sleep.

I'm probably not going to be able to go to sleep for a little while

but I'll leave you to go to sleep.

OK.

Over an hour later, when Jamie was still asleep, Karen's waters broke.

This is where it all started.

At 2.45 this morning.

Jamie called the hospital immediately

who advised him to bring Karen in.

We've kind of been expecting him to be late and then I was in bed,

and Karen was trying to sleep on the sofa.

She's come running in and woke me up -

it was about 2.45 - saying her waters have broken.

The time has come for Jamie to step up

and give Karen all the support she needs.

Over the last month,

the midwives have helped party boy Jamie face up to fatherhood.

Oh.

So tune into that sound.

He's learnt hands-on skills for the delivery room.

I'm guessing that his head's, like, at one side.

But with Karen unlikely to be allowed much pain relief because

of her blood condition, can he support her when it really matters?

Also on hand to help is Karen's mum, Julie.

Come on, you can do it.

SHE MOANS

Guided by midwife Angela, Jamie puts his knowledge into practice

and helps monitor the baby's progress.

Good. You're hearing baby's heartbeat.

It's getting lower down as well. It's moving down.

Keep sucking it in.

And he's proving to be quite the star pupil.

Reading his heart rate, so making sure it's about 140.

Yeah. He's not too distressed, is he?

Karen's doing really well.

SHE MOANS

Karen's been having contractions for seven hours

but now they're getting more frequent.

SHE MOANS

That's really good. Keep going, you're doing well.

Keep it up.

Good girl, Karen. You're doing fantastic. You're doing really well.

Good girl.

Good breathing. Keep it like that. Keep going.

-Good girl.

-One more.

With his newfound knowledge, Jamie continues to support Karen

through her increasingly painful labour.

Keep it like that.

She's doing really well.

Getting through the contractions, one after the other one, no break.

Just with the gas and air as well.

Keep it up, Karen.

He's really using the skills that he's learnt

and having to put that into practice to support her.

It's really helping that he's had that previous knowledge beforehand.

He's doing a really good job.

At the birthing centre, Jordan's trying to keep Angel calm

as they prepare for their water birth.

Oh, we certainly will.

Then we can do everything as we planned.

Despite being just 19,

his dream is to take a leading role in the delivery.

You both would like to get in the pool, is that right?

-Yeah.

-That's fine. And you'd like to cut the cord?

Yeah. When baby's out, obviously depending on...

I'd like to dry him and then weigh him.

What we'll do is, when baby comes,

if everything's going well, you can help bring baby to the surface.

Is that all right? Yeah?

But with Angel's mum also providing support,

will Jordan have the confidence to get hands-on

and be the first person to touch their baby?

-Do you want me to get a flannel?

-If you want.

Mop your brow. Feel nice?

Mm-hmm.

My little girl is going to be a mum.

There's not, you know... There's not a lot that you can do at this stage.

If she's comfortable and happy in the pool and she's not in pain

then I'll leave her in the pool.

If she's happy, she's happy.

No point in moving her if she's, you know, so...

How are you doing? Has it been a long night, then?

-Did you manage to get some sleep?

-Bits, yeah.

Midwife Nicky arrives to supervise the birth.

I think it's especially difficult for men

if girl's mums are present because naturally they sort of

go towards getting support from their mum more and more.

-I'm going to come in, is that all right?

-Yeah.

After you've had your contraction.

Encouraged by her presence, Jordan takes the plunge.

I'll get round you, sweetheart.

Where do you want me for now?

Behind.

If you do want to lean on me,

-then I can sit on this step at some point.

-Yeah.

If you tell me when it happens, which side you'd prefer baby's head...

Mm.

..then that's the way I'll push him.

The weeks of practice start to pay off as he supports Angel

through the pain.

Good. OK. Keep breathing.

Try not to fight it, breathe through it. I'm here, darling.

Good girl, good girl. Keep that breathing.

SHE PANTS

Keep that breathing. Good.

You're staying in a really good rhythm with your breathing.

You're doing fab.

Jordan's doing really, really well.

I think having a specific role like getting into the pool

and being able to support her and help her move in the pool

is really helping him.

I've seen him helping her rock her hips and keep to a rhythm.

-Up a bit.

-Towards the middle.

And then also massage and touch over her back.

He's been quite hands-on with wanting to give her a massage

and support her.

Keep swaying them hips.

Teenage Jordan has impressed.

Deep breaths, deep breaths.

But the greatest challenge, catching their baby underwater,

is still to come.

KAREN SCREAMS

Back in Milton Keynes labour ward, after two hours of heavy

contractions, Karen's exhausted and despite Jamie's best efforts...

You're doing really well.

..the pain's getting worse.

Karen wants an epidural which is an injection administered

into the back which helps to numb the pain.

There is a risk of bleeding which is problematic for Karen, because

with her blood condition, there's a chance the bleeding won't stop.

Get the doctors to come and speak with you or I'll speak

with them in the first instance to see what they think.

She can only have an epidural if her blood count is high enough

so the hospital are running tests.

-I want an epidural.

-You're doing well, babe.

-Remember what we said, Karen?

-I don't care if I'm doing well.

You have to wait for the blood, anyway. It's just complications.

While Karen's contractions get even stronger...

SHE SCREAMS

Tell me when you're ready.

..Jamie remains calm as midwife Angela does a routine check.

Despite everything, Jamie's doing his best to reassure Karen.

Keep going.

-SHE SCREAMS

-Oh, God!

Well done, babe. Keep pushing.

There's a bit of cervix at the front but the rest's gone.

Try and relax. You haven't got long.

Part of Karen's cervix hasn't thinned

because of the baby's position.

SHE MOANS

This is blocking its path out and it's the cause of her extreme pain.

What you've got is a bit of cervix at the front left to go.

It may not be possible for Karen to move.

If it were possible, over onto the ball for us.

Good girl. Keep it up.

Angela needs Karen to be upright but she doesn't want to move.

OK. You're doing really well. Keep it up, babe.

So it's down to Jamie to use his powers of persuasion.

SHE PANTS AND SCREAMS

That's good. Now relax. Relax.

-No.

-It's going to be uncomfortable.

If Jamie can get Karen upright,

increasing the pressure of the baby's head on the cervix

will stimulate hormones and help it to thin out.

Jamie successfully gets her into the position he knows will help,

having learnt this from his midwife sessions.

Squeeze. Squeeze my hand.

And Karen's following his advice.

You're doing really well now.

Jamie's doing everything right.

He's a perfect birthing partner as he keeps Karen upright and mobile.

Push the baby out soon.

Just this last little bit and then she'll be ready to go.

He's ace.

Brilliant support and she's really listening to him

so he's doing a really sterling job.

Hold on, babe. You're doing really well.

Keep going, Karen.

But if Karen's cervix doesn't thin,

she may need a Caesarean operation to safely remove baby from the womb.

Good girl.

In Melton Mowbray, Jordan is still supporting Angel in the pool.

After three hours, her contractions are getting stronger.

You're doing really well. You are!

Yes, you are.

I know. You feel a bit defeatist

but you're doing the job that you're meant to be doing.

-You hold my finger.

-Pop. Pop goes the weasel.

-Well done.

-Well done.

Her waters have broken and she's almost fully dilated.

Angel, I'm just going to have a listen to little one.

Yes, I know it's down. There you go.

SCANNER BLEEPS

-Yeah.

-Yeah. Baby's fine.

A big breath in.

Using a special mirror, the midwives and Jordan can see how close

she is to being ready to give birth.

Every time you push, it's just opening slightly. Yeah?

And you can see it.

I'll sit here and watch it. Really, really good, sweetheart.

Really, really good.

Do you feel baby move when you push?

You'll feel it more and more, you know, as the pressure

comes down and then you'll feel an intense pressure in your bottom.

All right? So just go with it and keep pushing against it.

Push there, sweetheart. Good girl, really, really good.

-Well done.

-Keep going.

Good girl. Good girl.

Deep breaths.

Everything is going well, and with no complications,

Jordan may be able to realise his ambition

of lifting baby to the surface but he'll need all his newfound skills

to keep Angel focussed and calm as the pain begins to mount.

It's been an hour since I last examined you. It hasn't changed.

You're getting tired so I don't want you to get exhausted.

All right?

Back in Milton Keynes, there's disappointing news

for Jamie and Karen.

It has been a long, hard struggle but the cervix won't budge.

She's tried since 1 o'clock, so six hours and Karen's getting tired now.

The cervix isn't moving.

The baby's all good, it's just getting him out

and around that cervix is not happening!

We nearly got there with the nurse but it just kept coming back.

We're going to need a Caesarean.

As the cervix isn't dilating,

they won't have the natural delivery they'd hoped for.

We've tried every avenue. He's being stubborn.

One in four women in England give birth by C-section.

Sometimes a general anaesthetic is necessary,

which means Karen will be asleep for the delivery.

He's coming.

There is some good news, though.

Karen's test results are back and she's been able to have the

epidural which means she can be awake for the birth.

This is something that the couple really wanted.

I'm glad that my platelets are OK, to have been able to have the

epidural for a Caesarean, otherwise I would have really hated

the Caesarean under a general anaesthetic.

But you just have to take extra good care of me afterwards.

Of course.

Karen's mum says good luck...

-Right. I'll see you when you're a mummy.

-Yeah.

..as Jamie is the only one allowed into the operating theatre.

Yeah, I'm glad that you're allowed in.

You know, if something happens to me, if there's an issue...

-It'll be OK.

-I hope so.

He'll be right by Karen's side to support her through the Caesarean.

And even though it won't be a natural delivery, as a birthing

partner, Jamie still has plenty to do to help Karen through the operation.

One big breath in and then push. That's it.

Keep going. Keep going. Good girl. All right.

Deep breath in, keep pushing, keep going.

Keep going, that's it. Good girl, keep going.

Back at the birthing centre,

Angel is going into the second stage of labour and is ready to push.

That's it. Good girl.

Good girl, you can see it now. Good girl.

-I see baby. Can I have a quick feel?

-Work with it.

There you go. There you go. That's baby's head.

-It's not going to be long now.

-Keep going.

-Good girl.

For 19-year-old Jordan, all the hard work

and training has been building up to this moment.

A far cry from where he was six weeks ago.

-Yeah, can you feel just there?

-Mmm.

-Can you feel the head?

Now what I need you to do is keep pushing past that stinging,

even though everything's telling you to stop,

you need to just keep going with it.

In labour now for 20 hours, Angel is exhausted

but baby is ready to be born.

Long and hard. That's fab. Baby's coming beautifully.

-Good girl. Good girl.

-I know it's stinging.

Under the midwife's supervision,

Jordan is doing a brilliant job of guiding and reassuring Angel.

This is the most painful stage of labour,

pushing out the baby's head, and so Jordan's role is crucial.

He's offering all the right support at the right time.

-The head's out.

-Brilliant.

Jordan's learnt that it's important that the baby isn't touched,

otherwise it could be startled and try to breathe under water.

-Good girl.

-Well done.

-Good girl.

-Excellent, keep going.

-Keep going.

-Sweetheart, I love you.

-Love you, too.

So just give your mum a nod

so that we know that you're starting to push, OK?

The shoulders should come and then the body should come.

One last push and it's the teenager's big moment.

Jordan is catching his baby girl and brings her safely to the surface.

Good girl.

Why's Daddy crying at you? Stop it, Daddy.

-A bit emotional now, innit?

-Your tears are falling on me.

Jordan has done everything he hoped

and he is the first person to touch their daughter, Teya Jessica.

A bit nervous. It's strange but it's lovely.

You're going to be cold soon.

It's just so weird.

I know I'm holding the baby but I still don't feel like it's mine.

-It's so weird.

-She's so soft.

You've worked very hard for that baby.

Follow me, that's it. Mind the floor.

You all right, darling?

OK? Yeah.

Keep her close to you to keep her warm.

-There you go.

-Daddy'll keep you warm.

I think she looks like her dad. Don't you?

I don't know, I can't really tell.

She's got Daddy's hair, beautiful hair.

-And I think she's got Daddy's lips.

-Yeah. And probably Daddy's nose.

I want to put your little mittens on. You've got long nails.

Hello. You've not closed them eyes, have you?

You're still trying to... Already?

Are you trying to talk already?

I think especially for Jordan's age,

he showed a lot of maturity in the birth environment.

I think his increased confidence made it so that he really

took a keen interest in everything that was going on and saw

that his role was important and that she needed him all the way through.

BABY CRIES

The birth is over for Jordan and Angel,

but there's still no baby in Milton Keynes.

Jamie and Karen have been in the operating theatre for 20 minutes.

BABY CRIES

Finally, it's over. Jamie and Karen are parents.

Their healthy eight pound two ounce son has been born by C-section.

His name's Harley. Harley Mark Anthony.

Hey, baby Harley.

Jamie has seen Karen through a difficult 18-hour labour.

-Did you cry?

-I think he cried.

You are so gorgeous.

He's proved himself to be the birthing partner

he hoped he could be.

-Oh, well done.

-Thank you.

-Yeah, he's lovely.

Jamie has been really good today. He's supported Karen brilliantly.

He's remembered everything that we've been discussing over

the past few weeks and I doubt she could have done as well without him.

He should be very proud of himself. I'm sure he is.

I'm just overwhelmed by how beautiful he is

and how well Karen done.

Just proud.

Hello.

Both Jamie and Jordan have overcome huge odds to rise to the

big occasion as hands-on dads in the delivery room.

The sessions just prepared me for everything that was to happen

and it was good to know exactly what was going on without

asking questions and butting in.

Karen knew that I kind of understood as well so she was focussed

and not worried about me.

I can't wait to get him home and start our family together -

me, Karen and Harley.

We're just going to have so many good times together,

seeing him grow up.

He's beautiful. Look at him. Say hello.

I've come on leaps and bounds, obviously.

I wouldn't have done half the stuff that I did before.

I feel a lot more confident and was more confident in what I was doing.

What is she?

-Seven pounds, what?

-Seven pounds 15. She's closer to seven pounds 15.

I feel like I've got a lot better bond with her because

I was there. I was the first hands on her.

I just feel like I've got a lot more of a bond

and a lot more of a connection with her.

It feels strange, obviously, people saying you're a dad now

because it's only literally been a few hours

and I think when we get home, it'll start kicking in.

It's six weeks after the birth of their daughter, Teya.

Teenage parents Angel and Jordan are settling into their new family life.

The best thing about being a dad is when Teya looks into your eyes

and she smiles at you and it's just, yeah, mind-blowing.

Me being so involved during the labour has helped us bond

and, you know, it helped us bond right from the moment she was born.

It's just the biggest thing.

Jordan was everything that I wanted and expected from him

as a birthing partner. He did amazing.

Yeah, I think I've grown massively from being

just a teenager to obviously now I've got to be

somebody who's responsible and be a parent to Teya.

People say how tough it's going to be and all this sort of thing

but you don't recognise it, you know -

this is your baby and you'd do anything for her.

For Karen and Jamie, the arrival of baby son Harley has brought

some welcome changes at home.

It's great to be a dad.

I mean, just holding him and knowing that he's yours

and he is your responsibility

and just having something to base your life around.

Since we've got back, Jamie's been fantastic.

I can't fault what he's done.

He's probably doing more work than I am at the minute

because I'm still trying to recover.

But he's saying, "You sit down, you lie down,

"stay asleep and I'll do this extra feed."

I've definitely grown up and matured as a person.

The relationship between me, Karen and now Harley...

I mean, we're so strong now, and Karen knows how devoted I am

after the initial hiccups.

I don't think I would ever be able to manage without Jamie

throughout the whole...

I'm going to start crying now. ..throughout the whole thing.

He's done so much. Sorry.

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