Life and Birth

A woman who did not have children until her 40s prepares for the birth of her second son, who was diagnosed with Down's Syndrome early in the early stages of her pregnancy. A couple whose previous child was stillborn at 40 weeks are now preparing for the birth of another baby, but have been tormented with anxiety that the same thing will happen again. A first-time mother fears she will not be a natural parent, a concern that is exacerbated when there is a long delay before she can hold her baby.

First-time mum Mini is induced three weeks early after experiencing reduced fetal movement, and with concerns growing it is ultimately decided to deliver the baby by caesarean section. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Billie-Joe has a rare twin pregnancy called TRAP Sequence, which means one of the twins hasn't developed properly and has no heartbeat. Supported by her boyfriend Josh, Billie-Joe undergoes a complex procedure at Birmingham Women's Hospital's Fetal Medicine Centre to save the life of their healthy baby.

Baby Elsie has been born eight weeks premature, weighs just 860 grams and was born with a hole in her heart. Her parents have spent the past two months living in hospital accommodation waiting for her to receive emergency surgery before they can take her home - but the procedure will only be possible when her weight reaches two kilograms. A couple enter the final preparations for their home delivery, and a mother who suffered severe post-natal depression after the birth of her first son gives birth to her third child.