The National Maternity Hospital gives TV3 exclusive access through its doors for ?Midwives?

TV3 GROUP RELEASE                                                                               

IMMEDIATE: Wednesday 4th September 2013.

 

 

The National Maternity Hospital gives TV3 exclusive access through its doors for ‘Midwives’

 

This is the first time a camera crew has been allowed such unique and exclusive access to the hospital

 

In the first episode, we meet premature twins Grace and Oran delivered early by Caesarean section at just 32 weeks, due to her having Help Syndrome

 

Midwives, episode 1 airs Wednesday 4th September, 2013 at 8pm on TV3.

 

Interviews available on request

 

Video link to view the full episode is available on request

 

This brand new TV3 series will step inside the doors of one of Ireland's most well-known maternity hospitals. This is the first time a camera crew has been allowed such unique and exclusive access to The National Maternity Hospital, on Dublin’s Holles Street.

 

TV3 has been given unprecedented access into the wards of the hospital for this heart-warming observational documentary, to witness the daily work that is done by the team of dedicated staff. Here, the team of midwives work day and night to give mums-to-be the support they need during their pregnancy, right through to those first special days with their new babies.

 

The six-part series also follows a number of women in the final stages of their pregnancies, all of whom are from very different backgrounds, but are all on the same path towards meeting their new baby. As we join the midwives in supporting these women through their pregnancies, we learn that no matter how many babies they hold in their arms, the special feeling of delivering a new life into the world never fades.

 

In the first episode of the series, we meet first time mum-to-be Dalia Lopez. As Dalia is from Mexico, she is finding it hard going through her first pregnancy without the support of her close family. Along with her husband, she is relying on the midwives in The National Maternity Hospital to guide her through what is both a nervous and special time.

 

We also meet Niamh O’Dea from Dublin who is pregnant with her third child. Now 10 days overdue, Niamh is ready for her baby to arrive. We also meet premature twins Grace and Oran in the ICU. Their mother Julie was transferred from Limerick Hospital to deliver them early by Caesarean section at just 32 weeks, due to her having Help Syndrome.

 

Commenting at the launch of the new series, TV3 Group Director of Content, Jeff Ford said: “’Midwives’ is a truly heartfelt series which so many people from Ireland and all over the world will relate to. We are delighted that The National Maternity Hospital has given us the opportunity to film behind the scenes in its extremely busy hospital. This beautifully made programme has melted our hearts here in TV3 and we are sure it will touch the hearts of our viewers.”

 

Rhona Mahony, Master of The National Maternity Hospital, said: “I am immensely proud of the skill and dedication of all of the midwives at NMH. It is a great pleasure and privilege to work with such professionals. I have no doubt that this programme will provide an opportunity for everyone to appreciate the wonderful contribution midwives make to the safe delivery of our babies.”

 

Midwives, episode 1airs Wednesday 4th September, 2013 at 8pm on TV3.

 

Images have been sent to your picture desks

 

ENDS

For further information
Ciara Byrne

Press Officer

00353 1 419 3329

00353 87 319 9732

 

Sharon McHugh
Head of Press & Publicity

00353 1 419 3430
00353 87 922 4143

publicity@tv3.ie                        
www.tv3.ie

Follow TV3

Follow us on Twitter: @TV3Ireland

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TV3

Follow us on Youtube: www.youtube.com/TV3Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTES TO EDITOR:

 

Rhona Mahony: Master of The National Maternity Hospital

 

Rhona Mahony is the Master of The National Maternity Hospital. Rhona grew up in Raheny on the North side of Dublin and after pestering her mother she began school at just 3 years of age. Although there wasn’t a history of medicine in the family Rhona always wanted to be doctor and felt it would be the ideal career for her. Rhona went on to study medicine in UCD and after graduating from there she began an internship in St. Vincent’s Hospital where she decided that the area of obstetrics and gynaecology would be right for her.

 

In 1995 Rhona started work in the Coombe as a Senior House Officer. She then went on to work in the Mater and from there moved to The National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street. In January 2012 Rhona was appointed the post of Master of The National Maternity Hospital, and in taking the role the first female Master of the hospital; something she admitted at the time would be a ‘huge challenge’, especially during a period of severe budget cuts. Since then, Rhona has embraced her important role and has fulfilled a lifelong dream in the process.

 

About the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street

The National Maternity Hospital on Dublin’s Holles Street was established in 1894 and celebrated its centenary in 1994. Employing approximately 820 people, it is the largest maternity hospital in the State as measured by annual deliveries and also one of Europe’s largest maternity hospitals. The hospital mainly provides obstetric, gynaecology and neonatal services. The original focus of the service was the poor people of the districts surrounding Holles Street Dublin, however, continuous change and growth from humble beginnings means that today, one in every twelve Irish citizens began life behind its walls.