From Here To Maternity
Last year nearly 9,000 babies were born at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH). That's one baby born every hour of every day, 12 months of the year.
From Here to Maternity is a six-part observational documentary series following the expectant mothers, nervous fathers and busy staff at CUMH. Filmed over four months, with unprecedented access to the labour and neonatal wards, the series is a unique insight to the emotional journey of bringing new life into the world.
Episodes
Programme One
In the first programme we meet naval officer Eamon Downes and his wife Lynda who are expecting their first baby. Eamon is aware that his life is about to change forever, but is less sure about how he'll cope at the birth. The couple is hoping that Lynda doesn't go overdue as Eamon is scheduled to begin a two-year stint at sea with the Irish Navy soon afterwards.
'All my friends have said that it's the most amazing thing that's ever happened to them in their lifetime. I can't wait to be part of that gang.' Eamon Downes.
Katherine and Cian McCarthy are expecting a gang of their own. They already have two young children under three, and are now expecting another three. Over the course of the series, we follow the progress of the triplet pregnancy, with unique access to the weekly scans and ultimately the operating theatre. However, as the weeks go by, one of the babies begins to struggle and doctors warn the McCarthys that this triplet might not survive
For most new parents, childbirth is a powerful experience - for others it's a fraught journey into the unknown. Very few babies actually arrive on their due date but some are born too soon or too fragile to survive in the outside world. These premature babies are admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where they remain in incubators until they are mature enough to be taken home.
Mother of two, Catherine Kingston has 12 years experience as a midwife. She has witnessed at first hand that most parents are fortunate enough to bring home a healthy baby. At 43 however, she's taking nothing for granted. 'When I'm in uniform I'm the professional giving advice. But it's very different when it's you who's the patient. I worry just like anyone else,' says Catherine.
Produced by M3 Productions in Cork, From Here to Maternity is a heart-warming series that captures the remarkable journey of childbirth and the extraordinary experience of bringing new life into the world.
Programme Two
At a routine checkup first time mother-to-be Tara Menzies is shocked to find out that her baby will have to be delivered earlier than expected. Tara and husband Duncan have just a few hours before her labour will be induced.
As the weeks progress Katherine and Cian McCarthy become more aware that triplet pregnancies are not straight forward. Two of the babies are growing well, however the smaller baby's growth is falling behind and he is now significantly smaller than the other two. Dr Keelin O'Donoghue warns of the challenges ahead which may include the possibility of an early delivery.
Programme Three
In this episode Katherine McCarthy is admitted to hospital in preparation for a possible early delivery of her triplets. Herself and husband Cian visit the Neonatal intensive care unit where their babies will be taken to as soon as they're born. For the first time, they see just how tiny their babies will be. Cian realises that at just 650 grams, or just over one pound the smallest of the babies will fit in the palm of his hand.
Most premature babies will stay in the Neonatal Unit until the time of their original due date. But not all.
Nineteen-year-old Sarah O'Brien's baby, Callum, has been in the intensive care unit since he was born three months ago. He has never been home. Over the last few days Callum's health had begun to improve and Sarah could finally allow herself to imagine taking him home. However, now it looks like he may need another major operation. Instead of a trip home, Callum could be facing yet another trip to Dublin for surgery.
CUMH is the only maternity hospital in Cork so midwives run local ante natal appointments and classes across the county. Midwife Catherine Kingston holds a weekly ante natal clinic in Bantry hospital for the mothers-to-be of West Cork. The local clinics are convenient but inevitably every mother in labour will have to make the two-and-a-half hour trip to CUMH to give birth.
Programme Four
Having been hospitalised for the remainder of her pregnancy with triplets, Katherine McCarthy has a scan to determine if her babies are to be delivered early.
Although her maternity leave has already started, midwife Catherine Kingston visits the hospital for a check-up.
Having been transferred from CUMH to Our Lady's Hospital Dublin, three-month old Calum O'Brien is recovering from surgery. His mother Sarah is uncertain how long his recovery will take and when she will be able to bring him home.
Programme Five
Episode five follows the team in the emergency room in CUMH, where the staff are on call 24 hours a day. One of the busiest areas of the hospital, this is the first port of call for patients having problems with early pregnancy or in advanced labour. One of the emergency room team is Patrick White, one of Ireland's few male midwives.
Jason Coughlan and Katie McCleary are about to become first-time parents. Now their parents are coming to terms with the fact that they are about to become grandparents.
Having been delivered prematurely at thirty weeks, the McCarthy triplets are still in Neo-natal intensive care. Ben, the smallest of the three is now thriving. The condition of his brothers, Charlie and Oliver, however, is causing concern.
Programme Six
In this final episode we meet Marie and Brian O'Callaghan. After seven attempts at IVF their dream of starting a family has finally come true. Baby Pádraig is their lucky number seven. With the triplets now home, we see how Katherine McCarthy is coping with five small children under three.
