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The Midwives

Documentaries

Factual: Health & Wellbeing

Following midwives who work in hospitals helping to deliver babies.

Following midwives who work in hospitals helping to deliver babies - a rewarding yet often very challenging job.

Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

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The Midwives: Series 2

Rupert Houseman

Adam Hopkins

Joanne Timoney

Spencer Kelly

Maxine Watson

John Lemke

Liam Shanagher

Hannah Fairclough

Nicola Hill

Jackie McKinney-Dyer

The Midwives: Series 2: Episode 3: A Natural Choice

A Natural Choice

Episode 3

Episode 3: A Natural Choice

Series 2

BBC Two - The Midwives, Series 2, A Natural Choice

Following the Birmingham midwives in the birth centre and the delivery suite.

Series following midwives at Birmingham Women's Hospital, where expectant mothers can choose between the clinical, high-tech delivery suite and the more natural birth centre.

In this episode at Birmingham Women's Hospital we meet midwife Maureen who prefers to work on the birth centre where birthing pools, aromatherapy massage oils and 'a bit of witchcraft' are all on offer to help deliver babies as nature intended.   

Midwife Antoinette has tried the birth centre approach but much prefers the high tech no-nonsense environment of the delivery suite. For her it's about being prepared for anything, especially when you deal with high risk pregnancies where the situation can change in an instance, that's when you need the painkilling drugs and high-tech medical equipment to be readily on-hand. 

Giving birth in the midwife led birth centre is almost £200 cheaper for the NHS than having a baby in the more clinical delivery suite but not all mums are confident in making the 'natural' choice.   

Consultant Midwife Paula Clarke set up the birth centre 12 years ago and is shocked by the increase in caesarian sections used to deliver babies and is a strong advocate for natural birth.

At her weekly clinic, Paula helps expectant mums plan their births. Mum Loren is pregnant with her second baby but her first was born by emergency C-section after her attempt to have a natural birth become increasingly complicated. Will she opt for a natural, intervention free delivery in the birth centre or the reassurance of medical intervention in the delivery suite? 

Meanwhile Guzel and her husband Azat want to go right back to nature opting for no baby scans, no medicine and not even vitamin supplements. We follow the midwives in the birth centre as Guzel chooses to have her baby in the birthing pool with no gas and air. Will she prove that nature's way is the best way?

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Following hospital midwives working in busy delivery suites.

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The Midwives

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Episode 3: A Natural Choice

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