Emma Willis: Delivering Babies (2018) s02e06 Episode Script
Season 2, Episode 6
1
BABIES CRYING
NARRATOR: Last year, TV presenter
and mother-of-three Emma Willis
spent ten weeks
working on the front line
of the Princess Alexandra
Hospital's maternity unit.
Well done!
TEARFULLY: It's something
I always, always wanted to do.
Thank you for letting me live it.
Now Emma is returning
to finish her training
You really got hooked with us.
Yeah. I love it, I love it.
..to become a fully qualified
maternity care assistant
that could work in any hospital
in the country.
There's so much to learn.
She'll be more independent
Down the nose. Well done.
..across high-risk wards
..and in theatre
It's a girl! Is it?
I got a bit broody
for a second then.
..supporting a dedicated
team of midwives.
That's it. That's really good.
Keep that going. Push it away.
SHE SCREAMS
Three loops of cord
around the neck. Oh, my God.
Emma will share the pressures
Emergency neonatal team
to Labour Ward one theatre, please.
Thank you very much.
..the fears
I want to go home!
..and the joys
Excellent!
MAN CHUCKLES Well done.
..of helping to bring new life
It's a little girl.
..into the world.
Hello, Daddy.
Smile.
CAMERA CLICKS
I'm gonna be a wreck
by the end of this.
Hi. Are you all right?
THEY LAUGH
Emma is starting
another eight-hour shift
at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
It's very calm. It's got a nice
atmosphere around here. Yeah.
There's not a lot of noise so
Yeah. There's none at all.
But today she's about to take part
in her first emergency drill
since returning.
I'll pass this round.
You have one, pass one round.
Every Friday at 8am,
practice development midwife Mandy
runs a training exercise
for the team
Is it all right if I pull
the emergency buzzer soon?
..using a staff member to act out
a life-threatening situation.
There's a drill going on
in one of the rooms,
so we'll wait for the drill to go.
I think she might pull
the emergency buzzer.
If she does, we just go in there
like we do as MCAs, see if
they need anything.
EMERGENCY BUZZER
There you go.
So we're going down?
In order to complete
her MCA qualification,
Emma needs to prove she knows
how to react in an emergency.
In an emergency situation
we need people to be able
to swing into the role
that they need to do straightaway.
Skills and drills training is
to make sure everybody rehearses
and to keep it fresh
in everybody's mind
so that it becomes
a well-rehearsed routine.
Can we have the emergency adult
resuscitation trolley, please?
What do they need?
Is it the resuscitation trolley?
In this high-stress situation,
it's essential Emma stays calm.
Emma, can you write
the observations down for me? OK.
Just say what's happening
and who's coming in and when.
Mag sulphate. Would you write down
mag sulphate, please? Yeah.
Magnesium sulphate. MgSO4.
OK. So thank you very much,
everybody.
Thank you particularly
to our actor.
CLAPPING AND CHEERING
Oscar goes to you today.
That was absolutely terrifying.
You were so good. I was like,
"Argh! Tell me what to do!
What do I write? What do I write?!"
Let's see what you did.
I don't want to!
Because what I always say is,
if you're scribing,
if you don't know
what the medications are,
if you can't spell them,
write it as it sounds. Yeah.
That way we can work it out
afterwards. Yeah.
Because otherwise we can't really
remember what we were doing.
Oh, my God. It wasn't even real.
It was traumatic.
It's pretty good for your first go
at doing anything like that.
It's good. It's good, yeah.
Stop it. Honestly. It is.
Because I'm a glass-half-empty
type person,
I'm a bit like, "I think
I didn't do very well and
I might have let the team down."
But all you can do is keep trying
and training and learning
and eventually you'll get better.
Thanks, Mandy, for terrifying me
first thing in the morning.
You're welcome.
Any time. Just come to me
and I'll terrify you again. Great!
THEY CHUCKLE
I need a drink. Of water.
And then I'm gonna crack on
with my day.
So baby's head
is in the down position.
The Maternal and Foetal
Assessment centre
There's baby's
little heart beating.
..where women are monitored
throughout their pregnancy.
Today Emma will be carrying out
routine observations
alongside midwife Jenna.
Hi. Hello.
Do you want this shut? Open? Yeah.
We can do the urine sample
afterwards if that's OK.
27-year-old first-time mother Sarah
is pregnant with twins
and is in with her mum
for a check-up.
Are you feeling the babies move?
Yeah. No bleeding? No bleeding.
And waters all intact? Mm-hm.
And feeling better
than yesterday? Yes.
Sarah's pregnancy has been
closely monitored throughout
as she's suffered two miscarriages
and tried for over nine years
to conceive.
Your blood pressure
was a bit high yesterday
when you saw the consultant.
So they want us
to do a blood pressure
and a urine check today. OK.
You'll have another one tomorrow,
then we'll test it again
for your pre-op.
So how many weeks are you today?
I am 36 plus three.
It's been a long ride. Four lots of
IVF. They were all very emotional.
'We got married in August 2018.
'We'd miscarried only three weeks
before the wedding.'
We kind of gave up not gave up
with the IVF but put it on hold
and focused on getting married.
Then we got a lovely surprise
on our honeymoon.
SHE LAUGHS
162
..over 84.
That's all right.
Is it still high?
Yeah, a little bit.
With a high blood pressure reading,
the next step is for Emma
to check Sarah's urine.
Evidence of protein could be a sign
of a potentially dangerous
condition called pre-eclampsia.
Protein. OK. Super. Thank you.
Sarah is booked in for an elective
Caesarean section next week
but, as she's showing
signs of pre-eclampsia,
her plans may have to change.
I just had a quick chat
with Mr El Zambisi,
one of our lead consultants.
He'd like us to admit you so
we can monitor your blood pressure
with a view to
delivering you earlier. OK.
But not today?
Possibly not today, no.
But he does not think it's safe
for us to send you home. OK.
Let's go over to the ward, show you
your new home for a little while.
Not coming out now.
SHE CHUCKLES
When you come out now, you'll be
coming with babies. Yeah!
Her brain just must be
like that right now. Pow!
'They thought they were having
two babies in a week.'
That has all now
been brought forward to, "You are
gonna have two babies imminently."
This is your room. You've got
a back garden. Oh, look at that!
There's benches out there. Blimey.
And do you want tea or coffee?
Can I have a tea, please? Yeah.
Tea, please. Yeah. Thank you.
She has waited so long
for this moment.
So long.
So it must be the excitement
and the nerves
battling each other at the minute.
Knock, knock! Hi.
Did you call him?
'I thought I might have got a bit
further along in my pregnancy, so
I was a bit shocked to be kept in.'
And I'm panicking - what if this
happens, what if that happens?
People have said, "You're going
to get a bit of anxiety
"because you've been through such
a long process and a tough time."
But as far as I know,
I'm not going to be coming out
until the babies are born now.
It's 3am, and on the Labour Ward
midwife Naghmeh
is on the night shift.
So how many years ago is it
since I delivered your son?
Maybe 30 years,
so in June it will be 30 years.
June is 30 years? June is 30.
My God. I know.
She's one of the maternity unit's
most familiar faces
Isn't it amazing? Mm.
Do you know, I look at you,
it feels like yesterday.
..having worked at the hospital
for almost four decades.
I smile at my job all the time.
I laugh all the time.
'It's a very happy job, really.'
SHE LAUGHS
But I was hoping to retire
in August with my husband
and we are planning to do
a lot of holidays
and we are planning
to be with my family.
But it's very difficult
because it has been a part of
my life for coming up to 40 years.
Tonight, Naghmeh
is looking after 36-year-old
Sinsita and her husband Thiego,
who are expecting
their third child.
Thank God for the medicine.
Oh, my goodness.
Seriously.
Sinsita has been
experiencing contractions
for the last three days.
As well as an epidural,
she has been given gas and air
for the pain.
The gas?
THEY LAUGH
Sinsita and Thiego met while
serving in the army in Brazil
and have been married for 12 years.
I was in the army for a year,
and then she joined the army
as a sergeant.
I do remember I called my sister.
I told her, "Look,
I found the woman of my life.
"I found the person that I want to
have kids and have my family."
So it was very quick for me.
THEY LAUGH
Sinsita is in the final stage
of labour
and is ready to start pushing.
When the pain is there,
give me a push, right down here.
Push push push push push push
push push push push push push.
Beautiful. That's the one.
Hold on to it, please, darling.
Make it as long as you can to get
the baby right round the bend.
Give me a push again, darling.
Harder, harder, harder, harder
Eight minutes since Sinsita
started pushing
and Naghmeh has cause for concern.
Just in the last contraction,
baby's heart rate went down
and he's gone a little bit lower
than what I would like to see.
The worst-case scenario
if a baby's heart rate drops
is it may not come up.
And if it doesn't come up
within so many minutes,
you've got to deliver that lady.
So bring your legs up
into these stirrups here
to see if we can change
the tilt of your pelvis.
Excellent. Perfect.
A drop in heart rate could be
a sign the baby is in distress.
So Naghmeh changes
Sinsita's position
to see if that
will speed up her birth.
When you get the pain coming,
we have to use them
for the 50 seconds we've got.
So none of this -
when the pain comes you wait
and then take a breath in and blow.
No. We've got to get
nice and organised with them.
It's 5.30 in the morning
and Sinsita is being guided through
her labour by midwife Naghmeh.
Push push push push push push
Go on, push, push, push, push.
Let's move this baby,
you clever girl.
The baby's heart rate
has been periodically dropping
Beautiful. Now blow it away quick.
Don't puff air in.
Hold on to it and push.
..increasing concerns
for the baby's health.
Harder. Harder.
Get the baby out. Go on, push,
push, push. Go on, go on, go on.
Beautiful.
That's it. Don't be frightened.
Push push push push push push.
Blow it.
SINSITA BREATHES OU
And push now.
Blow it.
SINSITA BREATHES OU
Give me a tiny little push, please.
Beautiful. Beautiful.
Open your eyes.
Open your eyes.
Oh!
BABY CRIES
There we go! Good work.
Happy birthday to you!
Just 28 minutes
after the first push
and a healthy baby boy is born.
There we are. Oh!
BABY CRIES
You clever girl.
Let's cover him up.
Lovely.
THIEGO: Well done.
SHE CHUCKLES
Congratulations. There we go.
HE CHUCKLES
You were absolutely amazing.
Ah Thank you so much.
The feeling of fulfilment
is hard to describe,
but the feeling for me now is
a journey that has been finished.
So I'm rushing
to get him in my arms.
Hello, little one!
Hello, hello, hello.
Absolutely fine.
He's absolutely perfect.
My job makes me feel very special,
very privileged,
so I haven't put in
for retirement yet.
I got cold feet because
I am just enjoying my work.
This is not an ordinary job.
This job becomes you
and you become the job,
and it becomes a part of your life.
BABY CRIES Shh, shh, shh, shh.
Shh.
I didn't sleep till about one.
You just keep thinking
about the birth day.
24 hours ago
Sarah was admitted to hospital
after tests revealed she has
a condition called pre-eclampsia.
What else did you want out?
I need nappies.
But I don't know if I should do
the prem nappies or the newborn
nappies.
It's the first time we're
opening a pack of nappies. I know!
THEY CHUCKLE
Sarah is with her husband, Lee.
Doctors have decided
their twins need to be born today,
almost four weeks early.
I asked them if they could lower
the curtain when they're about
to pull the babies out,
so I get to see them come out.
I can't wait.
You can look away
if you don't want to see 'em.
I think I will still try and look.
SARAH LAUGHS
But, fingers crossed,
I won't pass out.
I think you'll be fine. You'll be
fine. You're sitting down anyway.
I think the excitement will take
that feeling away Yeah. Yeah.
..because it's so special.
It's such a
It's an amazing experience.
In just a few hours,
Sarah will be taken into surgery,
and Emma is about to start
her shift as the MCA in theatre.
It's a very exciting morning
this morning.
Sarah is having her little twins.
I'm really excited cos I've never
seen a twin birth before.
I'm assuming it's double the fun.
But for Sarah,
four rounds of IVF, nine years,
constantly trying,
and that day is finally here.
So I feel very, very privileged
that I get to be there.
SHE CHORTLES I can't wait!
As it's a twin birth, Emma will be
one of two MCAs in theatre,
giving her more time
to support Sarah and Lee.
All right? Emma. Yes?
Feel like taking a photo?
I will take some photos, yes.
I'll give you my phone.
Yeah, for sure.
When I'm not handling stuff,
I'll be handling pictures.
Yes, if that's OK.
Initially in theatre, I felt
so uncomfortable and out of place
that I was scared to do anything
cos I thought I was gonna
do everything wrong.
But now we're three months in,
I very, very much feel
like a staff member.
One stitch. One stitch.
Two Kocher's. One and two.
'I kind of feel like
I do belong in there.
'I'm not playing
doctors and nurses.
'I actually have to do it
properly.'
And I can.
SHE CHUCKLES
Right.
That's normal.
No. Keep still.
The anaesthetist
must administer the epidural
before Emma and scrub nurse Nicola
can prepare Sarah
for the operation.
WHISPERING: Look at it.
It's in the spine.
Have you had an epidural?
I had an epidural and a spinal
with my first,
and I had two sections,
for my second and third.
Any more for any more?
No? No.
Done. Nuh-uh-uh.
How old's your youngest? Three.
Hard work, isn't it? It is.
Even if you weren't working.
I can't imagine working with four.
SHE CHUCKLES
That's why I'm stopping.
Can you imagine?
DOCTOR: Do you feel what they're
doing? No.
Is she doing anything?
Yeah, I am.
Are you really?
I can't feel nothing.
The operation will be carried out
by experienced surgeon Dr Ali
once Emma and the team
have prepped Sarah.
They're strapping your legs up now.
Is that tight enough?
Yeah. Bring the excess back
over the top this way,
rather than put any weight
on that side.
Dr Ali must cut through six layers
of skin, fat and muscle
before he reaches
the first amniotic sac.
Is it already open?
Yeah. Oh!
Baby'll be out in a minute.
The curtain is lowered so Sarah
can see the birth of her twins.
Baby number one, 9.30.
BABY CRIES
Good patient. Well done.
LEE: He's meant to be
the small one.
As Sarah and Lee meet
their first-born,
Emma records the moment.
Oh-ho-ho!
LEE: Thank you.
Baby number two.
OK, there you go.
Baby number two, 9.30 also.
LEE LAUGHS
Congratulations! Thank you!
After nine years of trying
and four failed IVF attempts,
Sarah and Lee finally have
their long-awaited babies.
BABIES CRY
EMMA CHORTLES
It must be the most surreal day
for you. Yeah, it really is.
Can't believe it.
I've got two babies!
You're a mummy!
I'm so happy for you!
Are you OK? Yeah.
TEARFULLY: Happy. I'm happy.
Let's get this cap on
so you don't get cold.
The boy is healthy,
but the baby girl is having
difficulty breathing on her own.
Is she having trouble? She just
needs a little more support.
One two three
four five
Emergency neonatal team
to Labour Ward one theatre, please.
Labour Ward one theatre.
Emergency neonatal team.
Thank you very much.
Yeah?
That's accurate, yeah? Yeah.
In theatre, the emergency team
have been called
as one of Sarah and Lee's
twin babies is in distress.
That baby needs support.
So that's what I'm worried about.
Yeah.
Then that's where I start thinking
to myself, what am I gonna do?
MCA: We are here to support you.
All right?
So you let them
work on twin number two.
We will look after you and
both of your babies as well. Yeah.
There's plenty of people there.
As the doctors and midwives
attend to the baby girl,
it's Emma's job to look after
the first-time parents.
Are you feeling weak?
I feel a bit sicky.
Take your arm off. I've got him.
Thank you.
She thinks she's gonna be sick.
With low oxygen levels,
the baby girl has been given
respiratory support
..and only five minutes
after the emergency call,
she's been stabilised.
It's the moment dad Lee
has been waiting for.
Can I go over, yeah?
BABY CRIES
Want to come over here, Dad? Yeah.
Do you want to cut this cord
as well? Yep. Sorry, I was
Cut again, on this side.
BABY CRIES
Just there? Perfect.
Well done. There you go.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
BABY CRIES
She's got some lungs on her now.
Finally, it's time for Sarah
to meet her second baby.
Congratulations.
My little girl. Your little girl.
Want to give her a kiss?
Can she manage her? Yes.
BABY CRIES I know.
I'll give you a cuddle soon.
I promise.
Thank you.
Thank you.
So, how are we gonna do this?
Is Dad gonna hold two?
THEY CHUCKLE
Smile, Lee.
SHE LAUGHS
It's unbelievable
we've got them both here.
This is when
you start to get arm burn,
and there's nothing
you can do about it.
You've just got to
keep holding them.
Keep holding them and act strong.
It's only quarter past ten.
A lot can happen in an hour.
Look at that. Beautiful.
I get a little bit emotional. Aw!
I'm stronger than that now.
Where are your tissues?
We don't give him tissues.
He has to get on with it, Emma.
He can't be dropping salty tears
into poor Sarah's belly.
THEY LAUGH
Right. Push back.
It will take Dr Ali around
20 minutes to stitch Sarah up.
Oh, hello. I haven't met you yet.
You're quite cute, aren't you!
We're gonna go that way.
She will then join her new family
in Recovery.
There you go!
Is this your phone
in your pocket here? Yeah.
So today I had a slightly different
role in theatre
because I was asked to be
official photographer.
That is a first as well. Twins,
and "Will you take the pictures?"
I was like, "I absolutely will,
as long as I haven't got
a proper job to do."
But when you've waited nine years
for a baby, two come along at once,
it's an incredibly emotional day.
Oh, I get all teary
thinking about it.
You've just had two babies.
You look like a superwoman.
PHONE RINGS
Hello. Chamberlen Ward.
Midwife Caroline. How can I help?
Every year
over 4,000 mums give birth
at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
Hi!
Today Emma is looking after
the women who have just arrived
on the antenatal ward.
Do you know what you're having?
A little girl.
Is this your first baby?
No, it's our second.
Second. Oh, OK. So you know
exactly what's to come. Yes. Yeah.
She's carrying out observations
alongside midwife Sharon.
She's not on the system yet, right?
No. OK.
And next on her list
is 28-year-old Lisa.
I'm gonna come and talk to her
about induction of labour, if you
don't mind doing her observations.
Do you want me to introduce you
to her? I'll pop my head in.
Unless you want to.
I have said I'm gonna
come back to her. Oh, OK.
Then you should keep your word,
Sharon. Exactly.
Lisa is 37 weeks pregnant
with her second child
and is booked in
to have her labour induced.
She's with her husband,
nursery school manager Dan.
Hi. Hello!
You haven't met Emma yet, have you?
No. No.
Emma's gonna start by doing
some observations on you for me.
Then I'll come back and we'll
go through the induction process
and have a chat about everything
and any questions
that either of you have got.
Are you happy with that? Yeah.
Yeah, of course. I'll be back.
Is that all right with you?
Yeah. I'll go and get all the stuff
and I'll come and sort you out. OK.
Lisa and her husband, Dan,
have been together for six years.
We met at school originally.
We used to have
science classes together,
and, yeah, I never really thought
he would ever be a boyfriend,
let alone a husband or a dad.
SHE CHUCKLES
He was just in my class, so
On our first date
we went to a chicken restaurant.
It ended up being a rubbish date,
so he's lucky he got a second one.
SHE LAUGHS
You've got some stuff with you.
Yeah, just a bit.
Are you moving in? It's actually
scaled back to the first time
we came, with the first child.
Baby number two?
Do you know what you're having?
Yes. A girl.
What do you already have?
A boy. Ah! A full set!
Did you have your first one here?
Yes.
So do you know the staff?
I'm familiar with them, yeah.
So you feel comfortable with them?
Yeah.
BLEEPING
How far are you?
I'm 37 today. Oh, OK.
How come they're inducing you?
I've got gestational diabetes.
My bloods in the morning
are not controlled
and she's a bit larger than they'd
like for how many weeks I am.
Gestational diabetes
affects one in 20 pregnant women,
usually in the latter stages
of pregnancy.
Sorry, I'm just writing this.
You're not in the system yet.
You're going around making notes
on people. "Don't come back."
In my little book.
As high blood sugar levels can lead
to bigger-than-average babies,
Lisa will be giving birth
three weeks early.
Lisa in labour is really good.
She had enough gas and air
last time to sink a ship.
This time I hope
the labour goes a bit quicker.
But as long as the baby's safe,
happy,
I don't really care how long
it takes, how much help she needs,
how long I have to be awake for,
any of those things,
as long as the baby's happy
and Lisa's safe.
You've done it once. Exactly. Your
body's used to the process. Yeah.
So fingers crossed. Hopefully
it'll be quicker this time.
Fingers crossed.
Not too quick.
I really want to be here.
SHE LAUGHS
If you could time it with
my shifts, that'd be great. Yeah.
I could have a word with the baby.
No, do whatever your body
wants to do.
Do you need anything? No, I'm OK.
Sure? Yeah. But buzz if you do.
Brilliant. Thank you.
I'll speak to you in a bit.
Before she finishes her shift,
Emma calls in to the staff room.
Maybe it's a birth certificate.
Thanks.
Have I got to go find Mandy?
Yeah. Oh.
Oh, hi there. Come in.
Hello. Hello.
So, certificate. What?
Here we go.
Because anybody who comes
to our skills and drills,
as evidence that they attended,
you get a certificate. Yay!
Amazing. Thanks.
You're very welcome.
You were there. You deserve it.
Thanks very much.
I don't think I have a certificate
for anything.
Really? No! Not even swimming.
SHE LAUGHS
I feel like my children,
cos whenever they come home
with a certificate for something
I laminate it and keep it
in a folder for them.
I think I'm gonna start
doing it with myself.
Hm. Yay!
36 hours after arriving
at the hospital,
28-year-old Lisa
is finally in established labour
with her second child.
Just keep breathing,
keep breathing.
She's being moved to a room
on the Labour Ward to give birth.
LISA GROANS
Lisa is on gas and air
for the pain
and is being supported
by her husband, Dan.
Is the gas and air
still good stuff?
You're getting to that giddy stage
at times here, aren't you?
Do you feel drunk?
SHE WHINES
Calm down.
SHE MOANS
Use your gas. You're not using it.
You're putting all your energy
into that scream.
Use it. That's it.
SHE INHALES
Slower, slower.
Good, babe. Good. Much better.
Yeah, I'm there.
Midwife Maxine
is on the night shift
and will be guiding Lisa
through her birth.
Hello.
How's it going? Yeah, OK.
I'm Maxine. I'm taking over.
I've come with my goody box.
SHE CHUCKLES
Babe, this is Maxine. Hi, Lisa.
Course I can.
Lisa's labour was induced
by administering a hormone
called prostaglandin.
But this carries small risks
to the baby's health.
LISA GROANS LOUDLY
Lisa, are you feeling
pressure below?
The more intervention you have, the
more the baby needs to be monitored,
so it is like putting baby
under a massive stress test.
The hormone itself
can make baby unhappy.
Even a little bit of that hormone
might make baby upset.
Different change of heartbeat,
change of heartbeat pattern.
Remember to come off that gas
when there's no contraction there.
Throughout the labour,
Maxine must constantly monitor
the baby's heart rate.
So there is some loss of contact
onto the monitor, OK?
When you have a contraction,
the heart rate is not recording.
So I would like ideally to examine
you and to break your waters
and then I'll put a clip
on to the baby's head.
This monitors the heart rate
directly.
Are you happy for us to do that?
Is that OK, Lisa?
Lisa?
LISA MOANS
Did you hear what I said?
If Maxine can't check
the heart rate,
she won't know
if the baby is in distress.
Are you happy for us to do
what I've just said?
But she's not allowed to proceed
without clear consent from Lisa
Pardon?
..and the gas and air
has made her drowsy.
LISA MOANS
Just focus, Lise.
Take some deep breaths.
I can't answer for her either,
can I? No.
You might know the answer.
You're not allowed to do that.
LISA HOWLS
LISA MOANS
This lady is Maxine.
On the Labour Ward, midwife Maxine
is looking after 28-year-old Lisa.
What for?
OK.
She makes me laugh. Does everyone
react on gas and air differently?
Maxine needs to break Lisa's waters
so she can attach a heart-rate
monitor to the baby's head.
Ready for your waters to go?
But with Lisa
on gas and air for the pain,
Maxine is struggling
to get her consent.
So did you hear
what I wanted to put forward?
Break my waters. Yeah.
And then, if necessary, I need to
put a clip on the baby's head
to get a direct feed.
Yeah. Yeah? OK. Yeah.
Keep taking the gas.
Lisa, ready? Give me the nod.
Yeah. Brilliant.
LISA SQUEALS
Use the gas. Use your gas.
Breathe.
LISA SHRIEKS
Fantastic.
Gone. Waters gone.
That's your waters gone. Brilliant.
LISA HOWLS
Breathe the gas. Slowly in
The next part is just
the clip going on.
Slowly in
Slower. Slower, babe. Slower.
She's progressing quite quickly.
I think, with the waters gone now,
it won't be long.
Did you hear that?
MONITOR BLEEPS REGULARLY
Mrs Maxine? Mrs Maxine.
Can I take your hand?
Thank you. You're very welcome.
LISA GROANS I haven't done much.
I can't stay, just in case
the baby does come now.
I'm there. Dan's there.
That's it. Break Dan's hand.
LISA HOWLS
I can't take much more. You can.
You've done it before,
you'll do it again.
Lisa, just listen to your body, OK?
If you need to,
just really go for it. All right?
LISA GROANS
Maxine? Yeah?
THEY LAUGH
Just five minutes after
having her waters broken,
Lisa is ready to push.
That's it, Lisa. Well done.
LISA GROANS
Open them legs. Open your legs.
Good.
LISA HOWLS
Come on. You can do it.
LISA GRUNTS LOUDLY
I can't do it! Yes, you can.
LISA SCREAMS
You can! You can! You can!
Lisa, you need to stay in control.
Lots going on.
LISA WHINES
Squeeze my hand. That's it.
Keep going.
You are doing brilliant.
Lisa. Lisa, that's it.
Listen, listen.
The screaming is not gonna help.
The screaming is just
gonna be in your throat, OK?
LISA WHINES
Push the scream down below, OK?
Not from the throat.
Especially when you're pushing,
they may be screaming
all over the place,
I find that I am generally
a bit louder and a bit firmer.
I think that's just because
she needs to know there's
a zone-in point,
and if that's my face,
she needs to concentrate
on my face, and my face only.
LISA WHINES
No screaming, no screaming.
Push that scream down.
Open them legs and push it.
LISA SCREAMS
Open them legs and push it.
That's it! Yes! And again.
Go on, go on, go on.
Go go go go go go go. Push it!
Push, babe.
Push push push push push push.
Come on. Just a wee bit more.
A little bit more and we got her.
Within minutes,
the baby's head is crowning.
Head out. Head's out. Head's out.
She's coming. Yeah, she's out.
You need to come off the gas so
you can meet your little girl, OK?
Last big push, we're done.
Go on, then. Go on, girl!
LISA GRUNTS
Use it up. All down. No noise.
No noise. All down.
BABY CRIES
Yes! She's here!
Here she is!
Ohhh!
She's here! Well done!
I am so proud of you.
We've got a little girl.
Well done.
LISA CRIES
Is she OK? She's beautiful.
She's perfect. All right?
We haven't got to worry
about a thing. She's perfect.
BABY GURGLES
We're gonna love her.
HE IS OVERCOME
HE SNIFFLES
This is worse than the first time.
MAXINE CHUCKLES
Overwhelming is the only word
I can describe it as.
Being a dad to a girl,
it feels completely different.
She's gonna be a little princess.
She's gonna be spoilt rotten.
Right.
One, two, three, snip.
Here we go.
She's completely independent.
I am really, really tired.
I've had about five hours' sleep
over the last three or four days.
But we got a little one,
so, yeah, we're really happy.
She's beautiful.
You did amazing. Well done.
Thank you. You're very welcome.
Was I shouting No, you did well.
You did well.
You're done, done, done.
The baby, she's beautiful.
I am so proud of you.
You were right.
She don't look nothing
like you. She's gonna look like me.
She's gonna be gorgeous.
Look at her eyes open.
Aw, look.
It's 7am,
and Emma is back at the hospital.
It's been ten hours
since baby Aubree was born.
LISA: We're still here.
You did it without me! I did.
So before she starts her shift,
Emma's checking in
on new parents Dan and Lisa.
Oh! Look at her!
Congratulations. Thank you. Thanks.
I left you and
We didn't go down to Labour Ward
till midnight? Last night?
So she was born in the early hours
of this morning. Yeah.
One minute to two.
We were thinking
you might make it in,
but as soon as her waters broke
Quick. It was that quick.
Do you want a cuddle? Yes!
DAN LAUGHS Let me wash my hands.
How are you feeling? I'm all right.
I was really tired
and quite weak this morning
but I think the adrenaline
has just kicked in again.
Yeah? I'm all right.
Oh
And what's her name? Aubree.
Aw, that's so cute!
What does she weigh? Six five.
Is she?! Yeah, that was
a shock as well again.
One reason Lisa was induced
was because they thought
we were gonna have a big baby.
So we were expecting
eight pound plus.
If she'd had
another few weeks of growing,
she could have been a big old baby.
There's nothing wrong
with a big baby.
I was ten pound six as a baby.
There's nothing wrong with a big
baby
unless you're the woman that's got
to push it out.
Yeah, don't talk to my mum.
And then it's not so good.
DAN LAUGHS
But I'm sure you were worth it. No.
Again, she won't agree with you.
I'm quite grateful
for her being a smaller one. Yeah.
As long as they come out healthy,
that's the main thing.
That's all we were worried about.
She's adorable.
Thank you. Congratulations.
The best part of the job is
seeing a family go home together
and everybody is happy
and healthy and well
and on their little road
to family life.
Thanks. That's very kind of you.
Now that she needs her nappy done.
Your emotions don't dull to it.
Especially me. I erm
I very much get overwhelmed by it
every single time.
BABIES CRYING
NARRATOR: Last year, TV presenter
and mother-of-three Emma Willis
spent ten weeks
working on the front line
of the Princess Alexandra
Hospital's maternity unit.
Well done!
TEARFULLY: It's something
I always, always wanted to do.
Thank you for letting me live it.
Now Emma is returning
to finish her training
You really got hooked with us.
Yeah. I love it, I love it.
..to become a fully qualified
maternity care assistant
that could work in any hospital
in the country.
There's so much to learn.
She'll be more independent
Down the nose. Well done.
..across high-risk wards
..and in theatre
It's a girl! Is it?
I got a bit broody
for a second then.
..supporting a dedicated
team of midwives.
That's it. That's really good.
Keep that going. Push it away.
SHE SCREAMS
Three loops of cord
around the neck. Oh, my God.
Emma will share the pressures
Emergency neonatal team
to Labour Ward one theatre, please.
Thank you very much.
..the fears
I want to go home!
..and the joys
Excellent!
MAN CHUCKLES Well done.
..of helping to bring new life
It's a little girl.
..into the world.
Hello, Daddy.
Smile.
CAMERA CLICKS
I'm gonna be a wreck
by the end of this.
Hi. Are you all right?
THEY LAUGH
Emma is starting
another eight-hour shift
at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
It's very calm. It's got a nice
atmosphere around here. Yeah.
There's not a lot of noise so
Yeah. There's none at all.
But today she's about to take part
in her first emergency drill
since returning.
I'll pass this round.
You have one, pass one round.
Every Friday at 8am,
practice development midwife Mandy
runs a training exercise
for the team
Is it all right if I pull
the emergency buzzer soon?
..using a staff member to act out
a life-threatening situation.
There's a drill going on
in one of the rooms,
so we'll wait for the drill to go.
I think she might pull
the emergency buzzer.
If she does, we just go in there
like we do as MCAs, see if
they need anything.
EMERGENCY BUZZER
There you go.
So we're going down?
In order to complete
her MCA qualification,
Emma needs to prove she knows
how to react in an emergency.
In an emergency situation
we need people to be able
to swing into the role
that they need to do straightaway.
Skills and drills training is
to make sure everybody rehearses
and to keep it fresh
in everybody's mind
so that it becomes
a well-rehearsed routine.
Can we have the emergency adult
resuscitation trolley, please?
What do they need?
Is it the resuscitation trolley?
In this high-stress situation,
it's essential Emma stays calm.
Emma, can you write
the observations down for me? OK.
Just say what's happening
and who's coming in and when.
Mag sulphate. Would you write down
mag sulphate, please? Yeah.
Magnesium sulphate. MgSO4.
OK. So thank you very much,
everybody.
Thank you particularly
to our actor.
CLAPPING AND CHEERING
Oscar goes to you today.
That was absolutely terrifying.
You were so good. I was like,
"Argh! Tell me what to do!
What do I write? What do I write?!"
Let's see what you did.
I don't want to!
Because what I always say is,
if you're scribing,
if you don't know
what the medications are,
if you can't spell them,
write it as it sounds. Yeah.
That way we can work it out
afterwards. Yeah.
Because otherwise we can't really
remember what we were doing.
Oh, my God. It wasn't even real.
It was traumatic.
It's pretty good for your first go
at doing anything like that.
It's good. It's good, yeah.
Stop it. Honestly. It is.
Because I'm a glass-half-empty
type person,
I'm a bit like, "I think
I didn't do very well and
I might have let the team down."
But all you can do is keep trying
and training and learning
and eventually you'll get better.
Thanks, Mandy, for terrifying me
first thing in the morning.
You're welcome.
Any time. Just come to me
and I'll terrify you again. Great!
THEY CHUCKLE
I need a drink. Of water.
And then I'm gonna crack on
with my day.
So baby's head
is in the down position.
The Maternal and Foetal
Assessment centre
There's baby's
little heart beating.
..where women are monitored
throughout their pregnancy.
Today Emma will be carrying out
routine observations
alongside midwife Jenna.
Hi. Hello.
Do you want this shut? Open? Yeah.
We can do the urine sample
afterwards if that's OK.
27-year-old first-time mother Sarah
is pregnant with twins
and is in with her mum
for a check-up.
Are you feeling the babies move?
Yeah. No bleeding? No bleeding.
And waters all intact? Mm-hm.
And feeling better
than yesterday? Yes.
Sarah's pregnancy has been
closely monitored throughout
as she's suffered two miscarriages
and tried for over nine years
to conceive.
Your blood pressure
was a bit high yesterday
when you saw the consultant.
So they want us
to do a blood pressure
and a urine check today. OK.
You'll have another one tomorrow,
then we'll test it again
for your pre-op.
So how many weeks are you today?
I am 36 plus three.
It's been a long ride. Four lots of
IVF. They were all very emotional.
'We got married in August 2018.
'We'd miscarried only three weeks
before the wedding.'
We kind of gave up not gave up
with the IVF but put it on hold
and focused on getting married.
Then we got a lovely surprise
on our honeymoon.
SHE LAUGHS
162
..over 84.
That's all right.
Is it still high?
Yeah, a little bit.
With a high blood pressure reading,
the next step is for Emma
to check Sarah's urine.
Evidence of protein could be a sign
of a potentially dangerous
condition called pre-eclampsia.
Protein. OK. Super. Thank you.
Sarah is booked in for an elective
Caesarean section next week
but, as she's showing
signs of pre-eclampsia,
her plans may have to change.
I just had a quick chat
with Mr El Zambisi,
one of our lead consultants.
He'd like us to admit you so
we can monitor your blood pressure
with a view to
delivering you earlier. OK.
But not today?
Possibly not today, no.
But he does not think it's safe
for us to send you home. OK.
Let's go over to the ward, show you
your new home for a little while.
Not coming out now.
SHE CHUCKLES
When you come out now, you'll be
coming with babies. Yeah!
Her brain just must be
like that right now. Pow!
'They thought they were having
two babies in a week.'
That has all now
been brought forward to, "You are
gonna have two babies imminently."
This is your room. You've got
a back garden. Oh, look at that!
There's benches out there. Blimey.
And do you want tea or coffee?
Can I have a tea, please? Yeah.
Tea, please. Yeah. Thank you.
She has waited so long
for this moment.
So long.
So it must be the excitement
and the nerves
battling each other at the minute.
Knock, knock! Hi.
Did you call him?
'I thought I might have got a bit
further along in my pregnancy, so
I was a bit shocked to be kept in.'
And I'm panicking - what if this
happens, what if that happens?
People have said, "You're going
to get a bit of anxiety
"because you've been through such
a long process and a tough time."
But as far as I know,
I'm not going to be coming out
until the babies are born now.
It's 3am, and on the Labour Ward
midwife Naghmeh
is on the night shift.
So how many years ago is it
since I delivered your son?
Maybe 30 years,
so in June it will be 30 years.
June is 30 years? June is 30.
My God. I know.
She's one of the maternity unit's
most familiar faces
Isn't it amazing? Mm.
Do you know, I look at you,
it feels like yesterday.
..having worked at the hospital
for almost four decades.
I smile at my job all the time.
I laugh all the time.
'It's a very happy job, really.'
SHE LAUGHS
But I was hoping to retire
in August with my husband
and we are planning to do
a lot of holidays
and we are planning
to be with my family.
But it's very difficult
because it has been a part of
my life for coming up to 40 years.
Tonight, Naghmeh
is looking after 36-year-old
Sinsita and her husband Thiego,
who are expecting
their third child.
Thank God for the medicine.
Oh, my goodness.
Seriously.
Sinsita has been
experiencing contractions
for the last three days.
As well as an epidural,
she has been given gas and air
for the pain.
The gas?
THEY LAUGH
Sinsita and Thiego met while
serving in the army in Brazil
and have been married for 12 years.
I was in the army for a year,
and then she joined the army
as a sergeant.
I do remember I called my sister.
I told her, "Look,
I found the woman of my life.
"I found the person that I want to
have kids and have my family."
So it was very quick for me.
THEY LAUGH
Sinsita is in the final stage
of labour
and is ready to start pushing.
When the pain is there,
give me a push, right down here.
Push push push push push push
push push push push push push.
Beautiful. That's the one.
Hold on to it, please, darling.
Make it as long as you can to get
the baby right round the bend.
Give me a push again, darling.
Harder, harder, harder, harder
Eight minutes since Sinsita
started pushing
and Naghmeh has cause for concern.
Just in the last contraction,
baby's heart rate went down
and he's gone a little bit lower
than what I would like to see.
The worst-case scenario
if a baby's heart rate drops
is it may not come up.
And if it doesn't come up
within so many minutes,
you've got to deliver that lady.
So bring your legs up
into these stirrups here
to see if we can change
the tilt of your pelvis.
Excellent. Perfect.
A drop in heart rate could be
a sign the baby is in distress.
So Naghmeh changes
Sinsita's position
to see if that
will speed up her birth.
When you get the pain coming,
we have to use them
for the 50 seconds we've got.
So none of this -
when the pain comes you wait
and then take a breath in and blow.
No. We've got to get
nice and organised with them.
It's 5.30 in the morning
and Sinsita is being guided through
her labour by midwife Naghmeh.
Push push push push push push
Go on, push, push, push, push.
Let's move this baby,
you clever girl.
The baby's heart rate
has been periodically dropping
Beautiful. Now blow it away quick.
Don't puff air in.
Hold on to it and push.
..increasing concerns
for the baby's health.
Harder. Harder.
Get the baby out. Go on, push,
push, push. Go on, go on, go on.
Beautiful.
That's it. Don't be frightened.
Push push push push push push.
Blow it.
SINSITA BREATHES OU
And push now.
Blow it.
SINSITA BREATHES OU
Give me a tiny little push, please.
Beautiful. Beautiful.
Open your eyes.
Open your eyes.
Oh!
BABY CRIES
There we go! Good work.
Happy birthday to you!
Just 28 minutes
after the first push
and a healthy baby boy is born.
There we are. Oh!
BABY CRIES
You clever girl.
Let's cover him up.
Lovely.
THIEGO: Well done.
SHE CHUCKLES
Congratulations. There we go.
HE CHUCKLES
You were absolutely amazing.
Ah Thank you so much.
The feeling of fulfilment
is hard to describe,
but the feeling for me now is
a journey that has been finished.
So I'm rushing
to get him in my arms.
Hello, little one!
Hello, hello, hello.
Absolutely fine.
He's absolutely perfect.
My job makes me feel very special,
very privileged,
so I haven't put in
for retirement yet.
I got cold feet because
I am just enjoying my work.
This is not an ordinary job.
This job becomes you
and you become the job,
and it becomes a part of your life.
BABY CRIES Shh, shh, shh, shh.
Shh.
I didn't sleep till about one.
You just keep thinking
about the birth day.
24 hours ago
Sarah was admitted to hospital
after tests revealed she has
a condition called pre-eclampsia.
What else did you want out?
I need nappies.
But I don't know if I should do
the prem nappies or the newborn
nappies.
It's the first time we're
opening a pack of nappies. I know!
THEY CHUCKLE
Sarah is with her husband, Lee.
Doctors have decided
their twins need to be born today,
almost four weeks early.
I asked them if they could lower
the curtain when they're about
to pull the babies out,
so I get to see them come out.
I can't wait.
You can look away
if you don't want to see 'em.
I think I will still try and look.
SARAH LAUGHS
But, fingers crossed,
I won't pass out.
I think you'll be fine. You'll be
fine. You're sitting down anyway.
I think the excitement will take
that feeling away Yeah. Yeah.
..because it's so special.
It's such a
It's an amazing experience.
In just a few hours,
Sarah will be taken into surgery,
and Emma is about to start
her shift as the MCA in theatre.
It's a very exciting morning
this morning.
Sarah is having her little twins.
I'm really excited cos I've never
seen a twin birth before.
I'm assuming it's double the fun.
But for Sarah,
four rounds of IVF, nine years,
constantly trying,
and that day is finally here.
So I feel very, very privileged
that I get to be there.
SHE CHORTLES I can't wait!
As it's a twin birth, Emma will be
one of two MCAs in theatre,
giving her more time
to support Sarah and Lee.
All right? Emma. Yes?
Feel like taking a photo?
I will take some photos, yes.
I'll give you my phone.
Yeah, for sure.
When I'm not handling stuff,
I'll be handling pictures.
Yes, if that's OK.
Initially in theatre, I felt
so uncomfortable and out of place
that I was scared to do anything
cos I thought I was gonna
do everything wrong.
But now we're three months in,
I very, very much feel
like a staff member.
One stitch. One stitch.
Two Kocher's. One and two.
'I kind of feel like
I do belong in there.
'I'm not playing
doctors and nurses.
'I actually have to do it
properly.'
And I can.
SHE CHUCKLES
Right.
That's normal.
No. Keep still.
The anaesthetist
must administer the epidural
before Emma and scrub nurse Nicola
can prepare Sarah
for the operation.
WHISPERING: Look at it.
It's in the spine.
Have you had an epidural?
I had an epidural and a spinal
with my first,
and I had two sections,
for my second and third.
Any more for any more?
No? No.
Done. Nuh-uh-uh.
How old's your youngest? Three.
Hard work, isn't it? It is.
Even if you weren't working.
I can't imagine working with four.
SHE CHUCKLES
That's why I'm stopping.
Can you imagine?
DOCTOR: Do you feel what they're
doing? No.
Is she doing anything?
Yeah, I am.
Are you really?
I can't feel nothing.
The operation will be carried out
by experienced surgeon Dr Ali
once Emma and the team
have prepped Sarah.
They're strapping your legs up now.
Is that tight enough?
Yeah. Bring the excess back
over the top this way,
rather than put any weight
on that side.
Dr Ali must cut through six layers
of skin, fat and muscle
before he reaches
the first amniotic sac.
Is it already open?
Yeah. Oh!
Baby'll be out in a minute.
The curtain is lowered so Sarah
can see the birth of her twins.
Baby number one, 9.30.
BABY CRIES
Good patient. Well done.
LEE: He's meant to be
the small one.
As Sarah and Lee meet
their first-born,
Emma records the moment.
Oh-ho-ho!
LEE: Thank you.
Baby number two.
OK, there you go.
Baby number two, 9.30 also.
LEE LAUGHS
Congratulations! Thank you!
After nine years of trying
and four failed IVF attempts,
Sarah and Lee finally have
their long-awaited babies.
BABIES CRY
EMMA CHORTLES
It must be the most surreal day
for you. Yeah, it really is.
Can't believe it.
I've got two babies!
You're a mummy!
I'm so happy for you!
Are you OK? Yeah.
TEARFULLY: Happy. I'm happy.
Let's get this cap on
so you don't get cold.
The boy is healthy,
but the baby girl is having
difficulty breathing on her own.
Is she having trouble? She just
needs a little more support.
One two three
four five
Emergency neonatal team
to Labour Ward one theatre, please.
Labour Ward one theatre.
Emergency neonatal team.
Thank you very much.
Yeah?
That's accurate, yeah? Yeah.
In theatre, the emergency team
have been called
as one of Sarah and Lee's
twin babies is in distress.
That baby needs support.
So that's what I'm worried about.
Yeah.
Then that's where I start thinking
to myself, what am I gonna do?
MCA: We are here to support you.
All right?
So you let them
work on twin number two.
We will look after you and
both of your babies as well. Yeah.
There's plenty of people there.
As the doctors and midwives
attend to the baby girl,
it's Emma's job to look after
the first-time parents.
Are you feeling weak?
I feel a bit sicky.
Take your arm off. I've got him.
Thank you.
She thinks she's gonna be sick.
With low oxygen levels,
the baby girl has been given
respiratory support
..and only five minutes
after the emergency call,
she's been stabilised.
It's the moment dad Lee
has been waiting for.
Can I go over, yeah?
BABY CRIES
Want to come over here, Dad? Yeah.
Do you want to cut this cord
as well? Yep. Sorry, I was
Cut again, on this side.
BABY CRIES
Just there? Perfect.
Well done. There you go.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
BABY CRIES
She's got some lungs on her now.
Finally, it's time for Sarah
to meet her second baby.
Congratulations.
My little girl. Your little girl.
Want to give her a kiss?
Can she manage her? Yes.
BABY CRIES I know.
I'll give you a cuddle soon.
I promise.
Thank you.
Thank you.
So, how are we gonna do this?
Is Dad gonna hold two?
THEY CHUCKLE
Smile, Lee.
SHE LAUGHS
It's unbelievable
we've got them both here.
This is when
you start to get arm burn,
and there's nothing
you can do about it.
You've just got to
keep holding them.
Keep holding them and act strong.
It's only quarter past ten.
A lot can happen in an hour.
Look at that. Beautiful.
I get a little bit emotional. Aw!
I'm stronger than that now.
Where are your tissues?
We don't give him tissues.
He has to get on with it, Emma.
He can't be dropping salty tears
into poor Sarah's belly.
THEY LAUGH
Right. Push back.
It will take Dr Ali around
20 minutes to stitch Sarah up.
Oh, hello. I haven't met you yet.
You're quite cute, aren't you!
We're gonna go that way.
She will then join her new family
in Recovery.
There you go!
Is this your phone
in your pocket here? Yeah.
So today I had a slightly different
role in theatre
because I was asked to be
official photographer.
That is a first as well. Twins,
and "Will you take the pictures?"
I was like, "I absolutely will,
as long as I haven't got
a proper job to do."
But when you've waited nine years
for a baby, two come along at once,
it's an incredibly emotional day.
Oh, I get all teary
thinking about it.
You've just had two babies.
You look like a superwoman.
PHONE RINGS
Hello. Chamberlen Ward.
Midwife Caroline. How can I help?
Every year
over 4,000 mums give birth
at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
Hi!
Today Emma is looking after
the women who have just arrived
on the antenatal ward.
Do you know what you're having?
A little girl.
Is this your first baby?
No, it's our second.
Second. Oh, OK. So you know
exactly what's to come. Yes. Yeah.
She's carrying out observations
alongside midwife Sharon.
She's not on the system yet, right?
No. OK.
And next on her list
is 28-year-old Lisa.
I'm gonna come and talk to her
about induction of labour, if you
don't mind doing her observations.
Do you want me to introduce you
to her? I'll pop my head in.
Unless you want to.
I have said I'm gonna
come back to her. Oh, OK.
Then you should keep your word,
Sharon. Exactly.
Lisa is 37 weeks pregnant
with her second child
and is booked in
to have her labour induced.
She's with her husband,
nursery school manager Dan.
Hi. Hello!
You haven't met Emma yet, have you?
No. No.
Emma's gonna start by doing
some observations on you for me.
Then I'll come back and we'll
go through the induction process
and have a chat about everything
and any questions
that either of you have got.
Are you happy with that? Yeah.
Yeah, of course. I'll be back.
Is that all right with you?
Yeah. I'll go and get all the stuff
and I'll come and sort you out. OK.
Lisa and her husband, Dan,
have been together for six years.
We met at school originally.
We used to have
science classes together,
and, yeah, I never really thought
he would ever be a boyfriend,
let alone a husband or a dad.
SHE CHUCKLES
He was just in my class, so
On our first date
we went to a chicken restaurant.
It ended up being a rubbish date,
so he's lucky he got a second one.
SHE LAUGHS
You've got some stuff with you.
Yeah, just a bit.
Are you moving in? It's actually
scaled back to the first time
we came, with the first child.
Baby number two?
Do you know what you're having?
Yes. A girl.
What do you already have?
A boy. Ah! A full set!
Did you have your first one here?
Yes.
So do you know the staff?
I'm familiar with them, yeah.
So you feel comfortable with them?
Yeah.
BLEEPING
How far are you?
I'm 37 today. Oh, OK.
How come they're inducing you?
I've got gestational diabetes.
My bloods in the morning
are not controlled
and she's a bit larger than they'd
like for how many weeks I am.
Gestational diabetes
affects one in 20 pregnant women,
usually in the latter stages
of pregnancy.
Sorry, I'm just writing this.
You're not in the system yet.
You're going around making notes
on people. "Don't come back."
In my little book.
As high blood sugar levels can lead
to bigger-than-average babies,
Lisa will be giving birth
three weeks early.
Lisa in labour is really good.
She had enough gas and air
last time to sink a ship.
This time I hope
the labour goes a bit quicker.
But as long as the baby's safe,
happy,
I don't really care how long
it takes, how much help she needs,
how long I have to be awake for,
any of those things,
as long as the baby's happy
and Lisa's safe.
You've done it once. Exactly. Your
body's used to the process. Yeah.
So fingers crossed. Hopefully
it'll be quicker this time.
Fingers crossed.
Not too quick.
I really want to be here.
SHE LAUGHS
If you could time it with
my shifts, that'd be great. Yeah.
I could have a word with the baby.
No, do whatever your body
wants to do.
Do you need anything? No, I'm OK.
Sure? Yeah. But buzz if you do.
Brilliant. Thank you.
I'll speak to you in a bit.
Before she finishes her shift,
Emma calls in to the staff room.
Maybe it's a birth certificate.
Thanks.
Have I got to go find Mandy?
Yeah. Oh.
Oh, hi there. Come in.
Hello. Hello.
So, certificate. What?
Here we go.
Because anybody who comes
to our skills and drills,
as evidence that they attended,
you get a certificate. Yay!
Amazing. Thanks.
You're very welcome.
You were there. You deserve it.
Thanks very much.
I don't think I have a certificate
for anything.
Really? No! Not even swimming.
SHE LAUGHS
I feel like my children,
cos whenever they come home
with a certificate for something
I laminate it and keep it
in a folder for them.
I think I'm gonna start
doing it with myself.
Hm. Yay!
36 hours after arriving
at the hospital,
28-year-old Lisa
is finally in established labour
with her second child.
Just keep breathing,
keep breathing.
She's being moved to a room
on the Labour Ward to give birth.
LISA GROANS
Lisa is on gas and air
for the pain
and is being supported
by her husband, Dan.
Is the gas and air
still good stuff?
You're getting to that giddy stage
at times here, aren't you?
Do you feel drunk?
SHE WHINES
Calm down.
SHE MOANS
Use your gas. You're not using it.
You're putting all your energy
into that scream.
Use it. That's it.
SHE INHALES
Slower, slower.
Good, babe. Good. Much better.
Yeah, I'm there.
Midwife Maxine
is on the night shift
and will be guiding Lisa
through her birth.
Hello.
How's it going? Yeah, OK.
I'm Maxine. I'm taking over.
I've come with my goody box.
SHE CHUCKLES
Babe, this is Maxine. Hi, Lisa.
Course I can.
Lisa's labour was induced
by administering a hormone
called prostaglandin.
But this carries small risks
to the baby's health.
LISA GROANS LOUDLY
Lisa, are you feeling
pressure below?
The more intervention you have, the
more the baby needs to be monitored,
so it is like putting baby
under a massive stress test.
The hormone itself
can make baby unhappy.
Even a little bit of that hormone
might make baby upset.
Different change of heartbeat,
change of heartbeat pattern.
Remember to come off that gas
when there's no contraction there.
Throughout the labour,
Maxine must constantly monitor
the baby's heart rate.
So there is some loss of contact
onto the monitor, OK?
When you have a contraction,
the heart rate is not recording.
So I would like ideally to examine
you and to break your waters
and then I'll put a clip
on to the baby's head.
This monitors the heart rate
directly.
Are you happy for us to do that?
Is that OK, Lisa?
Lisa?
LISA MOANS
Did you hear what I said?
If Maxine can't check
the heart rate,
she won't know
if the baby is in distress.
Are you happy for us to do
what I've just said?
But she's not allowed to proceed
without clear consent from Lisa
Pardon?
..and the gas and air
has made her drowsy.
LISA MOANS
Just focus, Lise.
Take some deep breaths.
I can't answer for her either,
can I? No.
You might know the answer.
You're not allowed to do that.
LISA HOWLS
LISA MOANS
This lady is Maxine.
On the Labour Ward, midwife Maxine
is looking after 28-year-old Lisa.
What for?
OK.
She makes me laugh. Does everyone
react on gas and air differently?
Maxine needs to break Lisa's waters
so she can attach a heart-rate
monitor to the baby's head.
Ready for your waters to go?
But with Lisa
on gas and air for the pain,
Maxine is struggling
to get her consent.
So did you hear
what I wanted to put forward?
Break my waters. Yeah.
And then, if necessary, I need to
put a clip on the baby's head
to get a direct feed.
Yeah. Yeah? OK. Yeah.
Keep taking the gas.
Lisa, ready? Give me the nod.
Yeah. Brilliant.
LISA SQUEALS
Use the gas. Use your gas.
Breathe.
LISA SHRIEKS
Fantastic.
Gone. Waters gone.
That's your waters gone. Brilliant.
LISA HOWLS
Breathe the gas. Slowly in
The next part is just
the clip going on.
Slowly in
Slower. Slower, babe. Slower.
She's progressing quite quickly.
I think, with the waters gone now,
it won't be long.
Did you hear that?
MONITOR BLEEPS REGULARLY
Mrs Maxine? Mrs Maxine.
Can I take your hand?
Thank you. You're very welcome.
LISA GROANS I haven't done much.
I can't stay, just in case
the baby does come now.
I'm there. Dan's there.
That's it. Break Dan's hand.
LISA HOWLS
I can't take much more. You can.
You've done it before,
you'll do it again.
Lisa, just listen to your body, OK?
If you need to,
just really go for it. All right?
LISA GROANS
Maxine? Yeah?
THEY LAUGH
Just five minutes after
having her waters broken,
Lisa is ready to push.
That's it, Lisa. Well done.
LISA GROANS
Open them legs. Open your legs.
Good.
LISA HOWLS
Come on. You can do it.
LISA GRUNTS LOUDLY
I can't do it! Yes, you can.
LISA SCREAMS
You can! You can! You can!
Lisa, you need to stay in control.
Lots going on.
LISA WHINES
Squeeze my hand. That's it.
Keep going.
You are doing brilliant.
Lisa. Lisa, that's it.
Listen, listen.
The screaming is not gonna help.
The screaming is just
gonna be in your throat, OK?
LISA WHINES
Push the scream down below, OK?
Not from the throat.
Especially when you're pushing,
they may be screaming
all over the place,
I find that I am generally
a bit louder and a bit firmer.
I think that's just because
she needs to know there's
a zone-in point,
and if that's my face,
she needs to concentrate
on my face, and my face only.
LISA WHINES
No screaming, no screaming.
Push that scream down.
Open them legs and push it.
LISA SCREAMS
Open them legs and push it.
That's it! Yes! And again.
Go on, go on, go on.
Go go go go go go go. Push it!
Push, babe.
Push push push push push push.
Come on. Just a wee bit more.
A little bit more and we got her.
Within minutes,
the baby's head is crowning.
Head out. Head's out. Head's out.
She's coming. Yeah, she's out.
You need to come off the gas so
you can meet your little girl, OK?
Last big push, we're done.
Go on, then. Go on, girl!
LISA GRUNTS
Use it up. All down. No noise.
No noise. All down.
BABY CRIES
Yes! She's here!
Here she is!
Ohhh!
She's here! Well done!
I am so proud of you.
We've got a little girl.
Well done.
LISA CRIES
Is she OK? She's beautiful.
She's perfect. All right?
We haven't got to worry
about a thing. She's perfect.
BABY GURGLES
We're gonna love her.
HE IS OVERCOME
HE SNIFFLES
This is worse than the first time.
MAXINE CHUCKLES
Overwhelming is the only word
I can describe it as.
Being a dad to a girl,
it feels completely different.
She's gonna be a little princess.
She's gonna be spoilt rotten.
Right.
One, two, three, snip.
Here we go.
She's completely independent.
I am really, really tired.
I've had about five hours' sleep
over the last three or four days.
But we got a little one,
so, yeah, we're really happy.
She's beautiful.
You did amazing. Well done.
Thank you. You're very welcome.
Was I shouting No, you did well.
You did well.
You're done, done, done.
The baby, she's beautiful.
I am so proud of you.
You were right.
She don't look nothing
like you. She's gonna look like me.
She's gonna be gorgeous.
Look at her eyes open.
Aw, look.
It's 7am,
and Emma is back at the hospital.
It's been ten hours
since baby Aubree was born.
LISA: We're still here.
You did it without me! I did.
So before she starts her shift,
Emma's checking in
on new parents Dan and Lisa.
Oh! Look at her!
Congratulations. Thank you. Thanks.
I left you and
We didn't go down to Labour Ward
till midnight? Last night?
So she was born in the early hours
of this morning. Yeah.
One minute to two.
We were thinking
you might make it in,
but as soon as her waters broke
Quick. It was that quick.
Do you want a cuddle? Yes!
DAN LAUGHS Let me wash my hands.
How are you feeling? I'm all right.
I was really tired
and quite weak this morning
but I think the adrenaline
has just kicked in again.
Yeah? I'm all right.
Oh
And what's her name? Aubree.
Aw, that's so cute!
What does she weigh? Six five.
Is she?! Yeah, that was
a shock as well again.
One reason Lisa was induced
was because they thought
we were gonna have a big baby.
So we were expecting
eight pound plus.
If she'd had
another few weeks of growing,
she could have been a big old baby.
There's nothing wrong
with a big baby.
I was ten pound six as a baby.
There's nothing wrong with a big
baby
unless you're the woman that's got
to push it out.
Yeah, don't talk to my mum.
And then it's not so good.
DAN LAUGHS
But I'm sure you were worth it. No.
Again, she won't agree with you.
I'm quite grateful
for her being a smaller one. Yeah.
As long as they come out healthy,
that's the main thing.
That's all we were worried about.
She's adorable.
Thank you. Congratulations.
The best part of the job is
seeing a family go home together
and everybody is happy
and healthy and well
and on their little road
to family life.
Thanks. That's very kind of you.
Now that she needs her nappy done.
Your emotions don't dull to it.
Especially me. I erm
I very much get overwhelmed by it
every single time.