One Born Every Minute

This week, one dad can’t be contacted as his girlfriend’s labour progresses, and another finds he has a crucial role to play after his wife’s birth plan takes an unexpected twist. And while one mum sings to keep herself calm, another finds that swearing is the best way to relieve the pressure. Polish-born Amelia (18) is in labour with her first baby, and as the contractions increase, so does the fruitiness of her language. Her mum, Dorota, is at her bedside providing support - but the baby’s father, Michal, is nowhere to be found. He’s not answering his phone and Amelia thinks he may asleep or out drinking with his friends. Inevitably, that’s not gone down well with Dorota. Providing male support is Amelia’s midwife, Christian. He’s one of only a few male midwives and says it’s seen as an unusual profession for a man (he adds that when he told his now-wife what he did, she assumed he was gay). Amelia and her mum simply assume that because he’s a man, he must be a doctor. As the labour intensifies, Christian and Dorota keep leaving messages for dad Michal - hoping that he might arrive in time to see his baby being born. In a nearby birthing room, Lucy has her husband James right by her side – just as well, as their plan for a natural third birth is about to take an unexpected turn. Lucy (37) used to sing soprano with the Vienna State Opera. She’s met Pavarotti a number of times and loves singing. Her baby is lying in an awkward position (transverse breech) and needs to be ‘turned’ before she can give birth naturally. While waiting for the procedure, Lucy’s been told she can’t eat or drink anything (“imagine telling a pregnant woman she can’t eat!” she says). This is baby number three; “the final one” says James firmly, as he tends to Lucy’s every need with endless trips to the car. First it’s her i-pod, then her v-shaped pillow, then her lip balm, her hairbrush and finally her tissues. James comes and goes like a yo-yo. In return Lucy regales him with tunes from Dirty Dancing and, when the doctors fail to turn to the baby, sings all the way to theatre to keep herself calm.