The last in the series

'It's like when you cut into an apple, it's fresh and new, no one has ever seen the inside of that apple. It's very similar when you are doing a delivery - no one else has ever seen that particular baby born, just you.' (Janet Pearce, senior midwife)

Midwifery is perhaps the most fulfilling variety of nursing. It's also one of the oldest professions in Europe and one that women have made their own. But many midwives feel that their status is now being undermined by doctors.

At Mile End in east London, midwives are determined to regain their traditional responsibilities. Follow their work as they care for pregnant women in the community and deliver up to four babies per shift in the labour ward.

BBC Bristol
(Ceefax subtitles)