Midwives welcome Emma Willis for new series

Series four of 'Emma Willis: Delivering Babies' was filmed across 10 weeks at Watford General Hospital

Maternity staff say taking part in the new series of 'Emma Willis: Delivering Babies', has helped them realise how valuable and life-changing the work they do is.

Presenter Emma Willis joined the maternity team at Watford General Hospital, Hertfordshire, in January 2024 for 10 weeks to film for the fourth series of the show.

Kelly McGovern, Chief Nurse at the hospital, hoped the programme would encourage more people to join the NHS and highlight the professionalism, compassion and joy within the hospital team.

Staff were shown the first episode of the documentary show at a Watford Football Club event ahead of its return to U and U&W on Thursday 5 September.

Chief Nurse, Kelly McGovern, said they enjoyed having Emma help on the wards and she was "welcome back for a shift any time she likes”

"People quickly forgot that there was a TV crew following them," Ms McGovern told the BBC, praising the professionalism of producers, Firecracker Films, and their NHS knowledge.

"They know exactly when to not be somewhere or when to film, they were able to make everyone feel relaxed and it just became the norm."

She said Emma was just as professional and "quickly became part of the team," but it "was a bit of a shock in the beginning to have such a famous star amongst us".

Over six episodes, viewers will see Emma working closely with the team of midwives as she aims to become a qualified maternity support worker.

The series follows Emma Willis as she aims to become a qualified maternity support worker

'Day in, day out'

About 3,785 babies were born at Watford General Hospital between 2022 and 2023.

Ms McGovern said watching the show back made midwives realise the importance of their work.

"We do this every day and we love it...but I don't know if people take enough time to reflect on the impact they actually have on patients, on other staff around them and on those families."

She added: "I want everybody to see the amazing work that this team do day in, day out, it's a really not an easy job but the dedication, the compassion and caring...these midwives do an amazing job of bringing life into this world.

"I hope that people who watch it think this is a place that I want to have my children."