One mom-to-be's all-natural birth plan falls apart, while another's rapid progression forces a natural delivery in the premiere of this documentary series, which is set in the maternity ward of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) in Nashville.
Erin endures a painful labor unmedicated, while Janay shocks the hospital staff with her pain-free childbirth.
A caesarean section is documented.
A woman with sickle-cell anemia delivers twins via C-section; a first-time mom experiences complications during labor.
A woman with muscular dystrophy and scoliosis gives birth; another woman's labor must be stopped abruptly when troubles arise.
A second-time mom must have a C-section because of internal damage from her first delivery. Also: a natural childbirth is documented.
An emergency C-section is performed when an unborn baby's heart rate dips alarmingly low; an epidural proves problematic.
A cancer survivor is pushed to get an epidural, while another mom-to-be needs pain relief but is forced to wait.
A mother of five delivers her sixth child unmedicated, while another mom-to-be tries to keep her own mother out of the delivery room.
High blood pressure forces one patient to change her birth plan, while another advances painfully fast with her third child.
A baby's heart rate drops, forcing a C-section. Also: a woman has an unmedicated birth without her military husband by her side.
A third-time mom experiences a painful natural delivery; a woman plans on an unmedicated birth for her second pregnancy.
A mom-to-be is rushed to the hospital by helicopter after going into early labor. Meanwhile, a soldier arrives home from war just before the arrival of his firstborn.
A second-time mom wants an epidural but is terrified of needles. Meanwhile, another patient wants to have a natural delivery, but during labor, she's not sure if she can handle the pain.
Labor is induced for an overdue mom-to-be, with two midwives by her side.
A mom-to-be uses hypnosis to cope with labor, while another attempts a vaginal delivery after a previous C-section.
A woman with chronic arm pain goes into labor; a woman worries about her painful varicose veins, which could form blood clots when she delivers her fourth child.
A couple welcome their third child via C-section; a woman endures a painful labor.
An induction doesn't go as planned when a mom-to-be's body fights the medication. Meanwhile, another woman arrives at the hospital after her water breaks.
A baby's heart rate drops dramatically during labor induction; a mother's water breaks shortly after taking medication to help her sleep.
Following a third-time mom as she prepares for a natural birth. Also: a woman gives birth on her birthday.
A mom-do-be develops preeclampsia, which alters her unmedicated birth plan; a C-section with a vertical incision is documented.
A mom-to-be has high blood pressure, which requires an early C-section. Meanwhile, a first-time mom is fearful of the birthing process.
Ciara is ready to be induced at 41 weeks, but her baby is upside down; Eulala hopes her fiancé arrives in time for the birth of their first child.
Zena is on bed rest after her water broke at 26 weeks, and she and her fiancé decide to get married at the hospital before the baby is born. Also: a breech baby must be delivered via C-section.
A woman is anxious to deliver a healthy baby, having lost her first child shortly after birth; a first-time mom is determined to deliver naturally.