Segment 1 A protest outside a London hospital is seen. The narrator explains that over 5000 women are there to voice their disatisfaction with the maternity service there. Speakers at the protest are seen on a podium saying that 'today women reclaim their bodies'. Scenes at a busy antenatal clinic are seen and the narrator says that this depersonalised service has disaffected many expectant mothers. He says this film is about good maternity care, but also says that one of the only good examples had to be found in Scotland. Edinburgh is seen, specifically the suburb of Sighthill, a mainly working class area. 8 years previously this area had the 4th highest perinatal mortality rate and disability birth rate out of Edinburgh's 23 wards. Dr Ian McKee, senior partner of the health centre there, is interviewed about the care available in the area before the health centre was set up. The narrator describes the previous system; pregnant women had to travel by bus to the centre of Edinburgh, which proved expensive and time-consuming. Time start: 00:00:00:00 Time end: 00:04:46:08 Length: 00:04:46:08
Segment 2 The health centre is seen, with doctors and nurses talking to mothers. Dr McKee talks about changing over from hospital work to health centre work and the difficulties the staff faced. The health centre's system is seen; new mothers are evaluated using a 'risk card' and then each case is discussed by the team. A graph shows the area's before and after figures of perinatal mortality; since the centre opened the difference is remarkable. More figures show that since the health centre opened, attendance of pregnant women has increased and low birth weight has decreased. The narrator discusses how even though this is a relatively poor area, it no longer has the statistics of such an area due to the community-based health centre. Time start: 00:04:46:08 Time end: 00:10:50:02 Length: 00:06:03:19
Segment 3 The narrator describes an impersonal and inefficient antenatal unit in a hospital. Patients' files are seen with large type saying, 'Not to be handled by the patient'. The antenatal unit at St George's Hospital in London is seen; this is described as a unit that has changed for the better. Scenes from the clinic are shown, with mothers having examinations and ultrasounds. Sister Caroline Flint talks about her aims when she started work at the unit; decreasing waiting times and better communication with mothers. She says that even waiting time can be put to good use; the waiting area has a 16mm film projector continuously playing films about birth and pregnancy. Time start: 00:10:50:02 Time end: 00:15:17:15 Length: 00:04:27:13
Segment 4 Sister Flint talks about the facilities available, including a creche and refreshments. An open exchange between a nurse and mother-to-be is seen; the nurse explains how the mother can feel for the baby. A doctor talks to a woman about how her blood pressure has come down. Sister Flint talks about midwives at large hospitals losing confidence and how antenatal clinics can achieve more. Time start: 00:15:17:15 Time end: 00:20:09:21 Length: 00:04:52:06
Segment 5 Another example of an improving clinic is seen - King's College Hospital in London. This department has set up a unit specifically for teenage pregnancies. The unit provides social work care as well as maternity care. Dr Madelaine Saunders talks about setting up the clinic and what it aims are. She also discusses discrimination against teenager mothers and how the unit's staff can comfort them and help them to deal with this. The film ends with the narrator saying that the most important feature of these clinics is that the attitude of the care staff is quietly confident and approachable. He also says that the benefits are obvious: more healthy mothers and babies. Time start: 00:20:09:21 Time end: 00:26:34:17 Length: 00:06:24:21