The observational documentary series features couples giving birth in the Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire, whose team of midwives delivers more than 5,000 babies every year.
Each episode featured two sets of parents navigating the final stages of pregnancy, where over 300 members of maternity staff work 24 hours a day ensuring the safe delivery of over 80 babies a week. When it comes to the big day will their best laid birth plans play out? From water births to emergency Caesareans, we’re up close at every unexpected turn, witnessing the pain, laughter, heartache and joy, as a dedicated maternity team welcome the next generation into the world.
Mike Benson, MD and executive producer of Chalkboard, said: “No two births are ever the same and with The Maternity Ward we wanted to capture the best laid birthing plans of prospective parents before following their stories through to delivery, capturing the drama, warmth, tears and euphoria of the journey. The doctors, midwives and nurses at Preston are consistently brilliant to watch and we are once again extremely proud of the access we were able to gain to show to the phenomenal work they carry out every day in our NHS.”
