Sarah and Dale are the proud parents of four boys, and baby number five is now on the way. As an experienced mum and now regular visitor to Heartlands Hospital’s maternity unit, Sarah requires minimal help from the midwives to deliver her baby. It’s a different story, though, for first time mum Gabi and her partner Cip, who spend nearly a week in hospital waiting to meet their new baby.

Twenty-five-year-old Samantha is worried that her mum Aminah won’t be by her side for the birth of her first child. A nasty bite from a friend’s dachshund has landed Aminah in hospital just across the road from her daughter. Sam’s partner Jordan can’t wait to become a dad, but at only 22 still has some growing up to do himself. When the baby’s heart rate starts to dip and doctors decide to perform a caesarean section, Jordan must conquer his own fear of surgery and step up for his partner and their son.

Thirty-four-year-old Kirsten’s 20-week scan revealed that her baby girl’s oesophagus isn’t connected to her stomach. The rare condition will require corrective surgery once the baby is born, but it can only go ahead if she grows big enough. Kirsten needs to carry her daughter for as long as possible, but there is a very high risk of her going into premature labour. Kirsten and husband Mark have suffered six previous miscarriages before this pregnancy and had almost given up hope of ever having children. It means everything to them to become parents, but they can’t help but feel daunted at the prospect of the difficult road that lies ahead. Show less