Tracy is 37 years old and is in labour with her fourth child. Accompanied by her husband Steve - who is in a jovial mood - and her middle son Liam, who’s 18, Tracy is calm and upbeat about her labour until the heart rate of her baby slows and the midwife needs to deliver her baby quickly. Suddenly the humour of the situation is gone, Tracy is exhausted and a much more serious Steve becomes the labour coach as the midwife races to get the baby out. As the staff cope with an increasingly busy shift, 22-year-old Lisa is also in labour, with her first child. Despite the calm words of the midwife, Lisa’s nervousness quickly turns to fear when she learns the baby must be delivered by caesarean section. As she is taken into theatre to give birth, Lisa and her partner are told that once their baby is born it will be taken immediately to an incubator. The first few days of its life are going to be critical.
Sam is in labour with her first child and is finding the pain too much to bear. Her boyfriend Ed, mum and the midwife team are doing everything they can to make her more comfortable, but she becomes increasingly upset. Ed is feeling the pressure too: he knows he has some real responsibilities to face once the baby is born and is worried about their finances. When the doctor decides that Sam needs a Caesarean, Ed’s nerves get the better of him and, although he wants to be with Sam in theatre, he decides her mum will be of more help. Another mum-to-be, Joy, is bored as she waits to go into labour. A diabetic, she has been induced but has been in hospital for four days and it’s a slow process. She’s hungry, tired and sick of waiting, and her frustration is heightened when her lunch doesn’t arrive on time. The idea of a piece of chocolate cheers her up although her husband Fabio would prefer she had a banana. Conversation turns to their garden, which distracts Joy for a bit, but she is soon feeling frustrated again and starts to wonder whether motherhood really is for her. ‘I love my independence’, she says. Meanwhile, Sister Kay Duggan - one of the midwives - is pondering her career after learning that she delivered Ed many years earlier. ‘There are many moments of pure joy in midwifery and many moments of absolute stress… I find work is the most important part of my life’.
Lisa’s baby Jack has been born with his bowel outside his body. The first few days of his life are critical as he faces serious medical procedures. Lisa is forced to cope with waiting weeks before she can take him home, and confesses to feeling jealous of the nurses who are feeding him before she can even hold him. Meanwhile, Sarah is expecting her second child. Midwife Dominique does everything she can to make sure she can have the natural birth she always wanted. Sarah’s first labour was very difficult and she had to have a caesarean. But as she finally goes into labour and the hours start to drag by, Sarah and dad Darren begin to worry that it will be the same as last time, and Darren feels impotent, thinking that no-one’s listening to him and there’s no point in him being there. And 25-year-old Andreia comes in to the hospital for a water birth, with the cameras catching her baby’s breathtaking entrance to the world
Kelly comes in to have her fifth baby, while Joy is waiting to have her first. Babies have always come easily for Kelly: her last one was delivered three minutes after her waters broke. Joy, on the other hand, has had to undergo five years of IVF, and after days of waiting in hospital, there’s still no sign of Baby. Joy and her husband Fabio have been together for 20 years since they met at language college, where they were both studying English. Fabio says: “We have achieved a lot in these last 20 years together, but once you have material things they don’t really mean much to you any more. Without family it loses its meaning.” But, although Joy’s having contractions, she is dilating very slowly, and it doesn’t look like her waters are ready to break naturally. And although Joy wants to have a natural birth, it looks like she’ll eventually have to decide whether to have a caesarean. At least the long wait gives them a chance to try and agree on names for their long-awaited baby… Meanwhile, Kelly has brought her husband Jon, her mum Liz and her sister Lisa into the birthing room with her. Kelly and Lisa’s brother died recently, and Lisa says: “Because the pregnancy was a wonderful distraction it became a focus for the whole family, and probably helped us to work through our emotions.” Midwife Lorraine, who’s new to the hospital, where she’s yet to deliver a baby, is looking after Kelly, who certainly knows what she wants: gas and air, and plenty of it…
In this episode, two young mums-to-be come in to the hospital at the end of unexpected pregnancies. And for their mothers it’s time to let go of their daughters. Abbie and Ross are both 17 and have been together for three years. Abbie says: “We were careful, but things happen, and things happen for a reason.” Her mum Donna, an ambulance technician, has delivered 15 babies, but that can’t prepare her for the emotional wrench of her baby having a baby. As Donna says: “She’s not my little girl any more. She’s going to be somebody’s mummy.” Twenty-three-year-old self-confessed free spirit Leoni had only been with her baby’s father for a short time when she fell pregnant. She only wanted to be a mother if she could be there for her child. With the support of her family, she decided to go through with the pregnancy. But Leoni is eight days overdue and her pregnancy isn’t progressing. And the hospital staff are worried about the baby’s heartbeat before Leoni’s even in labour.
In this episode, two mothers are about to give birth to their first babies while two fathers are trying to work out their role in the birthing process. For Shelagh’s baby son it is a dramatic start with an ambulance journey to the hospital and a quick turn around caesarean when his heart rate dips during labour. The birth is very poignant for Richard as Shelagh is having another man’s baby, having fallen pregnant during a break in their relationship. It’s not what he had planned for their relationship but he is determined to be the best dad he can be after a career in the army meant he was not always around for his own children. Penny is also excited about her new arrival but when labour starts her husband Ben finds it difficult to see her in so much pain. They have deliberately avoided finding out the sex of the baby and a special moment ensues when the baby arrives. Meanwhile, the midwives on the night shift are reminiscing over the extraordinary and wonderful births they have been part of over the years.
Dan and Charlie's twins were born at 23 weeks - 17 weeks premature.
Katrina is induced early and knows her labour is going to be touch because she's terrified of needles.
In this opening episode, two sets of expectant parents are waiting to meet their babies, including teenage sweethearts Ralph and Janet, who fell in love on their last day at school together, and Paul and his wife Stephanie, who warns “I’m a real wimp when it comes to pain!”
For Lydia (22) and Phil (22) a surprise pregnancy caused the couple to think long and hard about what they should do next. After finally telling her mother, whom she feared would frown on a baby born outside of marriage, Lydia is now looking forward to being a mum and has a natural water birth planned. Boyfriend Phil was at first reluctant to be a dad – he lived a party lifestyle and initially felt sad about saying goodbye to it. When the baby is due to arrive, Lydia’s squeamish elder sister Anna joins her and Phil in the birthing room. Soon, one of the women begins to feel nauseous, and it’s not the one you would expect.
Julia (31) and her partner Dean (29) are expecting their first child. After meeting online they exchanged phone numbers and became Facebook friends. Dean says he thought Julia was “lush”, adding, “it was the attraction that got me, her legs.” Julia says for her the draw was Dean’s personality although he maintains that it was his Swindonian accent that “knocked her bandy.”
New series. Fly-on-the-wall documentary observing the lives of staff and patients on a busy maternity ward in Leeds. This first edition features a soldier who may miss the imminent birth of his daughter, as he only has 48 hours before returning to the Army. Another man is determined to put his wayward days behind him and be present when his son is born, but after his partner experiences complications during labour, she must decide whether her boyfriend or mother accompanies her into the operating theatre.
Two women are approaching the pain of childbirth in very different ways. One mum, who experienced a traumatic first labour, is terrified of what the second will bring, while another refused to attend any antenatal classes, feeling that - for her - ignorance will be bliss.
This episode meets mums who break the rules, defy convention and arrive at motherhood in very individual ways, including One Born Every Minute's first Indian couple, who dated in secret when they were young and continue to break from tradition by having the dad present at the birth.
This episode features two mothers at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to conception and labour. After endless rounds of IVF, wheelchair user Tricia is looking forward to a much-longed-for baby.
Every pregnancy and birth is unpredictable and an easy early labour is not necessarily an indication of what happens towards the end. In this episode there's a serious emergency on the maternity ward when a baby's shoulders become wedged after the head has been delivered.
This episode features unexpected twins, and the tables are turned when one of the midwives arrives for labour. Neither mum wants intervention or an epidural; they both want to do it naturally. But Mother Nature can influence even the best-laid birth plans.
Hopes and fears about delivering babies provide the theme to this episode.
Lithuanian mother-to-be Olga goes into labour, but refuses to allow her husband Victor into the delivery room, selecting her mother Galina to accompany her instead. However, without an interpreter on hand, the pair have difficulty communicating with the midwives. Vicki Thompson also prepares to give birth, and discusses how she and her partner Ben have used tattoos to mark life-changing events since they met.
Three couples in different circumstances prepare to give birth. Ghost-hunter Vicki is supported by her partner Janet as she prepares to give birth to their first child, conceived using the mother's eggs and donor sperm. Ines and Paul are separated in age by 30 years but find their shared religious beliefs tie them together, while 20-year-old Sheree and 19-year-old Danny try to adapt to the changes their baby will bring
The importance of strong family values is the theme running through this episode. But the two families and the values they share are so very different.
Two couples who experienced unexpected difficulties during pregnancy arrive at the hospital. Seventeen-year-old Billie has pre-eclampsia, caused by high blood pressure, which is one of the most serious conditions that can develop during pregnancy.
Myleene Klass opens a new birthing pool and causes a stir on the maternity ward. Delivery suite manager Gail Wright has to rehearse her speech and gets all in a dither about how to coordinate the grand opening.
A long-serving midwife's lifetime career comes to an emotional end. Linda Abbott has been a midwife for 38 years. Aged 60, she's retiring from her post.
More than 100 babies have been born on the award-winning One Born Every Minute. Now the series visits three One Born couples as their babies approach their first birthday to see how they're responding to an even bigger challenge: parenthood.
A brand new baby is a joyous event for every parent but imagine what it's like knowing you're having twins, triplets or even more. Multiple pregnancies are more likely to suffer miscarriage, abnormality and premature birth. There's a real struggle for parents and doctors to successfully bring multiple babies through pregnancy and into the world safely. One Born: Twins and Triplets follows four couples, and the medical staff who care for them, through their multiple pregnancies and births and the unexpected turns that they take. Ana and Paul are thrilled at the prospect of becoming first-time parents to triplets. Their joy turns to worry when, at a routine scan, they are told their pregnancy is high risk and their babies are in danger. Four and a half months into their pregnancy with identical twins, Beth and Shane's longed-for babies are diagnosed with Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. Emergency laser surgery in the womb at King's College Hospital to separate the placenta they are sharing is their only hope of survival. Carolyne and Gordon are both in their forties and desperate for another baby but are dumbfounded to find out that baby number five is actually triplets. Just as Carolyne is about to give birth, a shock awaits. And Sophie and Carlos's twin girls were born prematurely at 28 weeks. Mum and Dad struggle to come to terms with their babies' unexpected arrival while the medical staff battle to get the babies well. What are their chances of survival?
One Born Every Minute returns for a brand new series, with cameras now recording life on two busy labour wards in Leeds: Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) and St James’s Hospital. Over the past year the LGI’s maternity ward has often had to close to new admissions, with expectant mums sent to St James’s across the city. Stacey is expecting her second child but it’s her first with her husband Lee. Stacey is desperate to give birth but every time she thinks she’s in labour, it turns out to be a false alarm and the hospital send her home. The to-ing and fro-ing gets frustrating for Lee who admits he had a troubled past until he met Stacey, who ‘saved him’. When Ramona last gave birth it was by an emergency C-section. This time, she wants to give birth naturally with her husband Marvin by her side, but when she goes into labour, Marvin is half-way down the M1. Meanwhile, the hospital is promoting ‘active birth’ and trainee yoga instructor Sara wholeheartedly embraces the idea. Sara endured a long induction during her last birth and this time round she’s determined to make the birth 100% natural, with her easy-going partner Billy by her side.
The stories of two strong women offering their daughters plenty of support during labour after unplanned pregnancies. Twenty-three-year-old Sam went off the rails as a teenager, running away from home and ending up sleeping rough, before meeting her partner Biaggio, and the couple are grateful to have Sam's mum by their side. Claire, 20, always knew she wanted her mother to be there in the delivery room, but deciding whether boyfriend Clint should be present wasn't as easy
Two strong-willed first-time mothers give birth at Leeds General Infirmary. Alexandra is 25 and left her native Latvia in search of adventure. She believes her child is the missing piece in her life, even though the father is not around anymore. Surbhi is from a warrior Hindu caste and knows what she wants, while her husband will do anything to please her, especially as he feels responsible for a motorcycle accident that left his wife paralysed in one arm.
Two couples prove that unplanned pregnancies can happen at very different ages. Andy, who's 41, and Nina, who's 39, thought they'd left nappies and sleepless nights behind long ago. With their children Danielle, who's 14, and Lewis, who's 10, becoming increasingly independent, they'd just started to get their own lives back again: going out, holidaying and enjoying life. They all got the shock of their lives when Nina announced she was pregnant with twins. The kids were initially appalled that their parents could be so irresponsible but soon embrace the idea of baby siblings and cheer their mum up with fun and games while she waits for her Caesarean. Jonathan, who's 21, met 18-year-old Laura when he randomly sent her a message on a social networking site. Three months later she fell pregnant. While Laura panicked, Jonathan was delighted: starting a family has been his sole ambition since the age of ten. Having developed gestational diabetes, Laura is booked in for an early induction and the couple prepare for a long wait. Jonathan gets on Laura's nerves with his almost constant chatter but when their baby's heartbeat drops and Laura is rushed to theatre, Jonathan's joking around is quickly replaced by overwhelming concern.
This edition features two couples who have stuck together despite the challenges life has thrown at them. Ryan (20) started dating Keely (22) when they were both at school, but to their shock Keely fell pregnant very quickly. They are now expecting their second child together, proving that teen pregnancies don't always end in disaster. Gail Wright, Leeds General Infirmary's most experienced midwife and Head of Delivery, is on hand to help Keely when she goes into labour and get her through the pain barrier. Katie (27) says she is the grown up in the relationship and her fiancé Steve (29) is like a child. In the delivery suite, Steve is on form constantly mucking about and generally driving Katie up the wall. His jokes mask their shared anxiety about their baby's congenital condition called gastroschisis which means the baby will be born with its intestines on the outside of its abdominal wall and will require surgery a few hours later.
Leah is having her sixth baby but unfortunately her partner is in prison and will miss the birth. Meanwhile, Becky met Police Sergeant John one Halloween when he was dressed as a witch and it was love at first sight. Within weeks they were engaged and trying for the child they'd both always wanted. Becky's life had been ruled by depression and a string of failed relationships, and she was beginning to think she'd never be a mum. By the time they arrive on the labour ward, Becky and John know exactly what to expect. They've been to all the classes and planned their active birth and are desperate to meet baby Luke, who they're naming after their Star Wars hero. Sophie and Martin are best friends whose drunken kiss blossomed into a five-year relationship and a surprise pregnancy. While it's Sophie's first child, Martin has been through it all before and has an eight-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. Sophie's desperate for them to have a baby of their own to bring them closer together and to experience the love of being someone's natural mum. Sophie was too anxious to read up about childbirth so when she comes into the delivery suite, she has no idea what lies in store. Fortunately, Martin's experience and sense of humour are there to support Sophie through a long and difficult labour.
Naomi, who's 32, and Jason, who's 37, have known each other since they were teenagers and have had an on-off relationship over the years. Now that Naomi is pregnant, Jason says it's changed their relationship and they're committed to a stable partnership. But there's another woman in Naomi's life: her mother Maria, who Naomi describes as a 'goddess' and who lives next door to Naomi. Being glamorous is very important to Naomi and she arrives to give birth wearing false eyelashes and full make-up. Meanwhile, Bianca discovered she was pregnant a couple of days after her 22nd birthday and was 'gobsmacked'. She wasn't sure whether to carry on having fun or settle down but finally decided to buck her ideas up and have the baby even though the father wouldn't be involved. Her sister Tanya says Bianca won't be a single mum because she'll have her to help. And Shannon met Dale on a Saturday night out in Leeds. They were both 17 when Shannon told people they were having a baby. She remembers that 'people said we were too young and it wouldn't work' but she and Dale are happy together, although Shannon has some regrets about not going to university and Dale says he wants to join the navy in five years.
Dawn, who experienced a traumatic birth when her first child arrived in the last series of One Born Every Minute, returns to have a second baby, with the memories of her difficult time in the same Leeds operating theatre still fresh in her mind. Kirri, who’s 29, met 30-year-old Brendan when they were both working at Butlins. She says ‘all women have a plan’; hers was to get a job at Butlins in order to find a man. Nine years later she and Brendan are having their second child and are still very much in love. They have such a light-hearted approach to life that Kirri manages without pain relief and laughs her way through her contractions. Shannon, who’s 34 and from Detroit, fell in love with England as a teenager when she started reading biographies of The Beatles. When she met Chris, who’s 51 and from Doncaster, on the internet, her father – a Vietnam veteran and former marine – hired private detectives to check Chris out. Chris must have got the all-clear because they are now married and having their second child. But they’re worried that Chris may miss the birth because they don’t have any family nearby and have no one else to look after their 20-month-old daughter Celia while Mum is in labour.
The fly-on-the-wall documentary returns from a new location, capturing daily life on the maternity ward in Southmead Hospital, Bristol. Midwife Vicki helps her next-door neighbour Louisa through an emotional labour, while Michael risks missing his daughter's birth when he heads home for the evening and his wife Michelle's contractions suddenly kick in. Elsewhere, Georgina is determined that expectant dad Rich will swap his flamboyant lifestyle for something more family friendly after their baby is born.
First time mum Lucy admits she's afraid of everything from roller coasters to sewing needles, so the thought of giving birth is completely terrifying. She says she's just little and wonders how on earth the baby is going come out. Doting boyfriend Sam has his proposal to Lucy all planned out and the rings are en route from eBay. But despite all the distractions, panic soon sets in. Amy and her naval engineer husband Paul arrive at Southmead Hospital for an induction. But after a quick examination, it becomes clear that Paul is far more squeamish than he expected... Meanwhile, Dianne is understandably concerned about giving birth as the last time she was in labour there were serious complications. This time Dianne and husband John have opted for an elective Caesarian, but nerves begin to get the better of them.
The documentary returns from a new location, capturing daily life in Liverpool Women's Hospital, home to the largest maternity unit in Europe. Gary, 48, tries to keep his 41-year-old partner Yvonne smiling through her contractions, while 25-year-old Jennifer and 26-year-old Darran support each other through a difficult labour. The couple were told at their 20-week scan that their baby daughter had a heart defect, but it will not be until the birth that they know how badly it might affect her.
Former lovers Marie and Mark put on a united front to be the best parents they can be, as they look forward to the arrival of their third child together. Brazilian first-time mum Caia is focused on a natural birth, but her partner Bernardo's outbreak of 'man flu' is an unforeseen distraction for the midwife. Childhood sweethearts Tom and Kate put their squabbling aside for the birth of their second baby.
Ex-lovers, Mark and Marie, prove that you don't have to be together to raise a family, Brazilian first-timers, Caia and Bernando, are in it for the long haul and childhood sweethearts, Tom and Kate, must put their squabbling aside.
Midwife Danika is joined by childhood sweethearts Becky and Colin, and marathon runners Matt and Milly at Liverpool Women's Hospital, the largest and busiest maternity unit in Europe.
A reformed party girl prepares to meet the child she thought she'd never have, a teenage couple welcome their unplanned baby and a self-confessed control freak struggles when her birth plan goes wrong
An Iranian couple get lost in translation during labour, and a football-mad dad channels his supporting skills to overcome his squeamishness
A teenager is shocked to find she's 24 weeks pregnant, and a proud Dad-to-be is eager for his fist born to be a boy so he can pass on the Greek family name he is so proud of.
The documentary returns to capture life in the maternity unit at Liverpool Women's Hospital. Students Brooke and Tim, both aged 23, who became inseparable when they met in their first term at university, become parents for the first time and have difficulty deciding on a name for their baby, while things don't go according to plan in theatre for 40-year-old Hayley. She is afraid of being separated from her 23-year-old partner Nick, after he became critically ill during the pregnancy as a result of contracting pneumonia and septicaemia. Meanwhile, Tara, aged 36, has chosen her 16-year-old daughter Courtney as her birthing partner.
Childhood sweethearts Alyshea and Maculay worry about the welfare of their premature baby, who was born with lung problems and susceptible to infection and has been carefully monitored at Liverpool Women's Hospital. Samantha and Paul didn't have a chance to enjoy the birth of their first baby due to a complication during delivery, but their nerves are not helped by ending up in the same room on almost the same date. Meanwhile, Kevin and Emma are looking forward to becoming parents, after being forced to postpone their wedding and exotic travels plans.
Rhiannon, who has cystic fibrosis, prepares to risk her life to have a third child, while an unexpected turn of events during labour means Kirsty and her partner, retired soldier Ian, must alter their birth plan. Plus, single mum SammiJo relies on her mum to help her bond with her second baby in a way she couldn't when her first child was born.
The fly-on-the-wall documentary turns its attention away from Liverpool's mothers-to-be, instead focusing on the roles the various boyfriends, fiances, partners and husbands play in the labour suite. Super-organised Paul, a risk manager by trade, impresses midwives when he plans out every detail of his wife Nadine birthing experience, right down to the music. Meanwhile, young parents-to-be Bobbilee and Frankie, who had only known each other for a month before Bobbi became pregnant, have a much more laissez-faire attitude to labour, one which is put to the ultimate test after 48 hours at the Women's Hospital. Finally, 32-year-old mum Linda faces bringing her baby into the world without the aid of her partner Tony, whose traumatic past experience of hospitals means he won't be accompanying her to theatre.
Three more sets of parents-to-be arrive at Liverpool Women's Hospital to welcome new additions to their families, including 29-year-old Kate and her 32-year-old husband Pete, whose short-term memory was damaged following a hard-fought battle against meningitis and encephalitis 10 years earlier. The pair hope Pete's brain injury will not stop him from being able to recall this memorable moment in the future. Also featured is third-time mother Lisa, whose previous two labours only lasted six and four hours respectively, and former drama school student Hayley, who already has children with her other-half Stephen, and has resolved to appreciate every moment with her family after losing her own mother at an early age.Three more sets of parents-to-be arrive at Liverpool Women's Hospital to welcome new additions to their families, including 29-year-old Kate and her 32-year-old husband Pete, whose short-term memory was damaged following a hard-fought battle against meningitis and encephalitis 10 years earlier. The pair hope Pete's brain injury will not stop him from being able to recall this memorable moment in the future. Also featured is third-time mother Lisa, whose previous two labours only lasted six and four hours respectively, and former drama school student Hayley, who already has children with her other-half Stephen, and has resolved to appreciate every moment with her family after losing her own mother at an early age.
A mum takes her son's place to welcome a grandchild she's only just found out about, while another emotional mother can't stop laughing during her daughter's labour
A mummy's boy faces fatherhood. A self-confessed baby machine comes in to have her fifth child. And childhood sweethearts can't wait to take their baby back to their first home of their own.
Self-proclaimed family man James looks forward to the arrival of his fifth child and Kirsty, who was the first triplet to be delivered at Liverpool Women's Hospital returns to have her own baby, hoping motherhood is the key to a more independent life. Meanwhile, an unexpected pregnancy for Jo, still living with her parents at the age of 35, means a busy retirement for first-time grandparents Jean and John.
The midwives at Liverpool Women's Hospital face the mother of all shifts. With the maternity ward full, three couples manage to get a room, but have different experiences. Self-confessed princess Sarah and her devoted fiancé Chris arrive eight weeks earlier than expected. Big kid Gary strives to grow up and become the responsible father and husband that his partner Claire demands. And Mormons Chloe and Daniel hope their new baby will bring them a step closer to the large and busy family they dream of.
Self-confessed ladies' man Michael has changed his ways after meeting his perfect match, Natalia. Natalia comes to Liverpool Women's Hospital to have her fourth child by caesarean section.
The dads are under the spotlight in this episode. Soldier Jack's more confident about going into battle than changing nappies. Billie and her ex-partner Nathan plan to raise their child together.
The documentary follows Kirstine and Phil who have not spent a day apart in four years, but following an emergency during labour the pair find themselves separated. Cameras also focus on Independent businesswoman Tyla. While awaiting the arrival of her third child, she starts to reconsider her romantic future. And although Spanish nurses Carlota and Javier epitomise the perfect relationship, the pair realise that labour can be challenging even for the best of partnerships.
Exploring life at Liverpool Women's Hospital through the eyes of its only male midwife, former navy trauma medic Chris. Kiefer hopes to be the ultimate birthing partner for his girlfriend Sophie, but following life-threatening complications during the birth of their first child, can he hold it together this time? Cameras also follow third-time mum Amanda who arrives mid-contractions with her sister Michelle.
Career woman Charlene, 35, is struggling to comes to terms with the fact she is about to become a mum, after dedicating her life to climbing the career ladder. Her mother Marion and Aunt Bev use Liverpudlian humour to help her through the final stages of labour. Cameras also follow Jess, 21, who fell pregnant after a fling and only truly believed the news when she saw her first scan. Plus, Sam, 41, who swore she would never have another child after the traumatic birth of her first, is convinced her late mother is in the labour room with her.
Some worrying news about their unborn baby puts 34-year-old beautician Maria and builder David's lives on hold. Cameras also follow 26-year-old doctor Ruby and her partner Colin, whose opposing personalities were put to the test when she suffered with post-natal depression after the birth of their first child. As they await the arrival of their second child, it remains to be seen whether Ruby's hard working ethos or Colin's jokey ways will help them get through. Plus, 34-year-old Gary and his partner Louise's third baby is on the way.
Childhood best friends Karra and Danny realise their deep friendship has helped them cope and given them a positive outlook on life as they await the arrival of their third child. Meanwhile, Cathryn and Dean's friendship has taken an unexpected twist, six years after meeting at a fracture clinic, and Mandy and Melvyn, who were born deaf, hope their second child will be able to hear like their first.
Jodie, who's 19, found out that she was pregnant after she had a 'friends with benefits' fling with cheeky chappy Stephen, who's 22. In spite of their unconventional situation, Stephen's determined to see his parental responsibilities through, including being at Jodie's bedside during what turns out to be a long labour. Meanwhile, love was a long time coming for 44-year-old Derroll, who met his wife Maria online. Derroll has become a devoted stepfather to Maria's four children and she desperately wants him to experience fatherhood for himself, but it's not without its challenges.
It took 30-year-old Louise and her husband Andy six years to conceive. After such a long struggle, they're finally looking forward to meeting their longed-for baby and showing it off to their worried stepmum and health care assistant Olwen. Sammy, who's 23, is about to have her third baby. An undiagnosed condition drove a wedge between Sammy and her mum, when her bad behaviour was put down to teenage hormones, until a long-awaited diagnosis of endometriosis when she was 19 enabled them to build bridges.
Musicians Lucy and James are putting rehearsals on hold to have a baby. Laura and Mike fell in love in hospital when Laura was dangerously ill. They're expecting their second son.
Louise is having her first child at 45, but has gone through a heart-breaking split with her baby's father, Dan. Meanwhile, Jess is 16 and is finally getting a sibling.
Spaniards Isabel and Xabi met in Liverpool and decided to become first-time parents at 40. Nicole and Fran have four children between them and are now having their first together.
Emma and James lost a combined 11 stone so they could start a family. Erika and Jez are on baby number two, after the struggle to conceive number one became an exhausting regime.
'Tattooed lady' Sazzie and 'scary biker' Adam are having their first baby. So are Jen, who has Crohn's disease, and ex-soldier John. Meanwhile, Jeannie is having her fourth and final baby.
Sarah's expecting twins. She and her mum Pat are both midwives and have to overcome their professional concerns to concentrate on the babies' safe arrival.
The hospital faces a bed block crisis and Kristina's twins need delivering fast or she'll have to move to another hospital. Amy and Dave are expecting their first child together.
When Jody, who's 29, and Chris, who's 32, arrive at Liverpool Women's Hospital, she'll be giving birth for the first time. It's a day that they thought would never come: after a struggle with infertility, they'd given up hope of having a child themselves and adopted a son. But one last try at IVF had surprising results. Meanwhile, Mormons Cameron, who's 23, and Hannah, who's 21, met through the church and married young. Their faith has taught them the importance of family, and they can't wait to become parents. They just need to get through labour first. And Lesley, who's 41, was desperate to become a mum but couldn't find a man who wanted to be a dad. Not letting that stand in her way, she turned to a sperm donor, and is now eagerly expecting her first child, who she plans to raise alone.
This episode explores life at Liverpool Women's Hospital through the eyes of male midwife Chris, a former navy trauma medic. Like Chris, 22-year-old Kiefer knows what it's like to be a man in a woman's world. His upbringing in a strong female household has made him eager to be the ultimate birthing partner for his girlfriend Sophie. But following life-threatening complications during the birth of their first child, can Kiefer hold it together this time? Third-time mum Amanda, who's 32, arrives mid-contractions, with her sister Michelle by her side. They both hope that the birthing experience will bring them closer together. Having previously suffered a miscarriage and an ectopic pregnancy, 33-year-old Rhoanne is excited about meeting her second baby, but when he gets stuck there's a race against time to deliver him.
The award-winning documentary series moves to Birmingham Women's Hospital, following the highs and lows of a new group of soon-to-be parents in the maternity ward. In the first episode, 25-year-old Samantha and her partner Tony, who struggled for years to conceive, return to the ward after losing their first child at 25 weeks. However, Samantha's medical history means the birth is not without challenges. Meanwhile, 33-year-old Sharon and 44-year-old Rav come to the hospital expecting their second child together, and Rhiana and her partner Lee hope for another textbook water birth for the arrival of their second son.
Parents-to-be include 29-year-old Ben, who has been experiencing sympathy pains and cravings, and thinks he needs to 'man-up' for his partner Amy. Ambitious young doctors Nikoletta and Andreas were concentrating on their careers when a chance meeting evolved into a whirlwind, long-distance romance, and Andreas is determined to be at Nikoletta's side as a father and not as a doctor, putting his medical training to one side.
Former wild child Ashley, who's 35, is determined to right the wrongs he faced in his own childhood with a family of his own. He and his 35-year-old partner Gemma are expecting their fourth child together. Meanwhile, 41-year-old Sunny and 32-year-old Shay, who met on the set of a Bollywood film, arrive in the ward expecting their first child.
Beth and David, who met online on a Harry Potter website, arrive in the hospital awaiting the birth of their baby daughter. Meanwhile, 28-year-old Kathereen from Colombia and Birmingham-born Nick, who's 40, are in the maternity ward expecting their second child together, and couple Gavin and Carla arrive for the birth of their baby son.
Sharnee, who's 25, and 27-year-old Dan await the arrival of their first child together. Meanwhile, after seven years trying and two failed rounds of IVF, 33-year-old Jo and 47-year-old Pat arrive on the ward to be induced, and April, who's 27, is having her third baby, with support from her little sister Chloe.
Chantell, who's 34, and 33-year-old Phil arrive in the hospital awaiting the birth of their third child together. Chantell had a troubled upbringing and never thought she would find love or have a family of her own, but when she met Phil, everything changed. Meanwhile, young couple Emily and Nathan, who still live at home, are determined to show the world that they can embrace the responsibilities of parenthood as they welcome their baby boy. Elsewhere, Clarke and Debbie, who have had a difficult pregnancy, arrive in the maternity ward.
Sarah, who's 40, and 29-year-old Tom, await the birth of their second child together. Sarah has a close relationship with her family, and hopes to have the same close bond with her daughter when she comes along. Meanwhile, couple Dawn and Scott arrive expecting baby number eight, and 27-year-old Jess and her partner Leon also arrive on the ward.
Young couple Chynna and Spencer, who are both 21, arrive expecting their second child together, with Chynna's mother on hand to help them through the labour. Meanwhile, Seif, who fled the war in Sudan 15 years ago, and his partner Halah are desperate to start a family together, and anxiously await the arrival of their new baby after tragically losing their first child six months into the pregnancy.
Svetlana, who's 38, had a traumatic birth when she had her first daughter in Bulgaria. Her husband Ivo wasn't even allowed in the room. They hope to have a better experience with their second child. Nadia, who's 25, and Jaedon, who's 22, are expecting their second baby and are desperate to fly the nest and start life together, but their mums have other ideas... Elly, who's 34, had a difficult few years and now suffers from anxiety. Since she met Tom, who's 33, he's been her rock. Now they're expecting their first child together.
Lauren, who's 33, and Rachel, who's 36, have one daughter together, who was conceived by a donor and who Lauren carried. Rachel always wanted to be a genetic parent too, but after an egg-sharing process failed and she had a miscarriage, she accepted that she may never be a genetic parent, and now Lauren is carrying their second child, as they plan to become a family of four. Laura, who's 37, and Paul, who's 40, were friends for years, and then love blossomed. Between them they have nine children and now they have another one on the way.
Almost one in five pregnant women in the UK is clinically obese. Obesity during pregnancy puts both mother and baby at greater risk of almost every medical complication in the book. One Born: Plus Size Mums follows three morbidly obese pregnant mothers as they, and the professionals who care for them, do all they can to bring their children safely into the world. But not all runs smoothly. The film follows super-morbidly obese, Lucy, and husband, Barry, who have been trying for seven years to have children.
