There can be few jobs as challenging or as rewarding as delivering babies and a new Channel 4 documentary will shine a light on the work of midwives in a busy Belfast hospital.
Belfast Midwives follows the characterful team of midwives at the award-winning Royal Jubilee Maternity Service in the heart of Belfast, one of Northern Ireland’s busiest maternity units delivering 5,000 babies every year.
All births are unique and unpredictable, and this emotional series, which begin on Channel 4 next month, captures the drama of a broad range of births and families welcoming a new baby into their lives.
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Each episode features three very different birth stories – from emergency C-sections to extraordinary water births - the series follows the midwives supporting a diverse cast of families during this important life moment.
Viewers also meet midwives in other departments helping couples who’ve been struggling to start a family for years as they get to see their new baby for the first time and in the post-natal wards where new mothers may need extra support to look after their newborn babies or get to grips with breastfeeding.
In the first episode of this brand-new series, you'll meet three couples on the brink of welcoming a new baby into their family.
Mum Sindhura and her husband Harish moved to Belfast from India where they had their first child. Supported by midwife Deirbhile, this is the first time Harish has been allowed to attend the birth of his baby.
Seasoned midwife Naomi loves working in theatre, supporting mums through C-sections. This is Nikita and James’ fourth pregnancy but the couple sadly lost a previous baby at 24 weeks.
They have opted for an elective C-section – but James is squeamish and prone to fainting. Will he make it through the birth to cut the umbilical cord?
Elsewhere Ashley wants a waterbirth and husband Kyle wants a son. Will they both get what they want? Midwife Aimee is on hand to help.
Full of warmth, humour and emotion, this is the midwives’ story told in their own words.
Belfast Midwives starts on Channel 4 on Tuesday, January 3 at 10pm.
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