Heart-stopping moment midwife rushes to help a newborn baby struggling to breathe in BBC’s Life And Birth – but viewers are distracted by the mother’s friend FILMING the delivery
- Six-part BBC1 documentary Life and Birth premiered last night
- Follows women and staff at three of Birmingham’s busiest maternity hospitals
- In one heart-stopping moment Ashleigh’s baby was born struggling to breathe
- But viewers were distracted by her friend who was filming on her camera phone
BBC viewers were left feeling emotional after a baby girl was born struggling to breathe in a hospital documentary series which premiered last night.
The episode, the first of six, followed expectant mothers and their families in the days, weeks and minutes leading up to giving birth at three of Birmingham‘s busiest maternity hospitals.
Among the expectant parents were Ashleigh, 22, and her partner Luke, who allowed BBC cameras into the room for the birth of their second child.
There was a heart-stopping moment when midwives rushed to the mother’s bedside after her daughter was born struggling to breathe. However some viewers found themselves distracted by Ashleigh’s friend, who was filming the birth on her camera phone.
There was a heart-stopping moment on last night’s episode of Life and Birth when midwives rushed to a mother’s bedside after her daughter was born struggling to breathe. However some viewers found themselves distracted by the friend filming on a camera phone (left)
One wrote: ‘I could not think of anything worse than someone taking my picture and filming me when I was in labour … #lifeandbirth.’
Another posted: ‘How did we all manage to have babies without filming ourselves and telling our life story to the world #LifeAndBirth.’
A third wrote: ‘#LifeAndBirth is a brilliant programme! Can we just talk about the other girl filming *down there* when she was giving birth?! Like, why?!?’
The birth was made all the more traumatic because Ashleigh and Luke’s first son, Roman Rae, struggled to breathe when he was born and spent time in neonatal intensive care after he developed sepsis.
Viewers were confused about why Ashleigh would have wanted to have her labour filmed
The couple feared history was going to repeat itself, however their daughter started crying shortly after being born.
There was also a difficult birth for mother-of-two Jodie, who first discovered there were complications with her pregnancy at her 20-week scan. She found out her baby had a heart condition and was told her baby would have to undergo an operation after birth.
At 32 weeks, Jodie was rushed to hospital by husband Dave and gave birth prematurely. Their daughter, Phoebe, was rushed to the ICU where she remained for 12 weeks, until she grew big enough to have the operation.
The friend was on hand, at the parents’ wishes, to capture every moment of the labour
The friend stood next to father Luke to film friend Ashleigh’s labour on Life and Birth
Viewers were also introduced to expectant mother Channelle, 33, who arrived at the hospital with her mother, Barbara, who acted as her birthing partner.
DJ Channelle, who did not plan her pregnancy, explained her mother had been a pillar of strength in the absence of the baby’s father, a long-time friend.
‘We’ve gotten so close,’ Channelle said. ‘As soon as I found out I was pregnant, my mum moved into my bed. She’s like my comfort blanket at the moment.’
Ashleigh and Luke’s daughter struggled to breathe (pictured) but was fine shortly afterwards
Parents Luke and Ashleigh were featured on the first episode of BBC1’s Life and Birth
Barbara was by her daughter’s side during the labour and set the room up with lanterns, candles, smellies and affirmation statements for her daughter.
Chanelle initially wanted an intervention-free birth but doctors had to be called to help deliver baby daughter Elari-Keziah.
Jodie and Dave begin a bedside vigil as they anxiously wait to see if Phoebe will pull through. Dave comments, ‘I just have an overwhelming sense of I’ve got to be strong, even though it’s hurting me as well. I’ve got to be strong to keep her together.’