One Born Every Minute

The BAFTA-winning observational series filmed in a maternity ward returns for a second run, capturing new lives beginning and others changing forever. Some of the much-loved characters are back including serene, philosophical midwife Kay Duggan and glamorous biscuit-loving receptionist Nancy. There are new midwives joining the team too and of course dozens of expectant mums and dads. Long labours, short labours, hypno-birthing, emergency caesareans  - every birth is different, bringing with it a unique story. This time round there are plenty of twins, and even a set of triplets. 

One Born Every Minute was filmed 24 hours a day, over six weeks at Southampton's Princess Anne Maternity Hospital. 

Janet and Ralph (both 18) fell in love after meeting at school and have now been together for exactly "One year, two months and 27 days" according to Ralph. When Janet became pregnant at 17 Ralph says: "It was a shock, but you can't say it was a sad event." And that now he "couldn't be happier."

 Janet comes in to be induced and midwives Kay and Barbara are astonished to discover that Ralph is reading a biography of Tiberius (Roman Emperor from 14 - 37 AD) throughout his partner's labour.  Janet's mum Mandy is also on hand to offer support when the birth of baby Callum takes an unexpected turn.

 A-level student Ralph admits that some people think that he is "different". His biggest hope for his son is that he won't feel the need to conform either. Twenty-two year old Stephanie says:  "I'm a real wimp when it comes to pain" adding "I wouldn't say I was a drama queen...but my friends would say I was a drama queen. And my mum would too, probably." Husband Paul (28) and the midwives attempt to calm an increasingly vocal Stephanie as her screams reverberate around the hospital.  The midwives explain that women express themselves in very different ways throughout labour. 

With both Paul and Ralph supporting the mums through childbirth, veteran midwives Kay and Barbara say that men coming in to the delivery room is a relatively recent phenomenon.   Barbara adds that before she became a midwife she'd never seen a man cry and they both agree that when a man cries in the delivery room it's a great sign and usually means he'll be a good dad.  Their favourite moment is when they can say to a new dad, "go and meet your baby now."  

Every minute of every hour of every day, a baby is born in Britain. One Born Every Minute celebrates the unique story that lies at the heart of every single pregnancy, by capturing the enduring emotion surrounding birth and the beginning of life.