Bringing Home Baby

The community midwives of Manchester's Saint Mary's Hospital are responsible for almost 5,000 newborn babies every year. Every day they are trying to spot the mums who might need more than just a cursory examination - determining which mums will cope easily with a new baby and which ones might struggle.

For ten days after each baby is born, they go into the homes of new parents to offer help and make sure that mums are well and that the babies are being properly looked after.

Midwife Joyce is concerned about single mum-to-be Fizah because of her complicated family background. Joyce has referred this young mum to the Vulnerable Babies Service, so they can keep an eye on how she is coping as a new mum.

Midwife Farhana is looking after Monique, who is also single and was homeless until recently. But she has to drop everything to go and help a woman who has chosen to give birth in her own front room.

Meanwhile, the mother that midwife Di is supposed to be looking after has gone missing the day after being discharged from hospital.

With Britain in the middle of the biggest baby boom in 40 years, this film looks at how midwives look after new mums and new babies who might be at their most vulnerable.