One Born Every Minute couple share their IVF journey

When Kate and Matt received a message to say that Channel 4's One Born Every Minute was going to be filmed at the hospital where she was due to give birth, they decided they wanted to share their story.

After trying to start a family since 2020, the couple from Manchester were finally preparing to meet their first child.

Having undergone IVF treatment, they were overjoyed to have reached this moment, with their baby having been conceived from their final embryo.

"Our final chance at parenthood and it only went and worked," said Kate in a short clip from the new series.

This is why it was so important for them to let the cameras in to film Matilda's birth.

"We've been on a long journey to get here," explained Kate.

"We went through five years of fertility treatment, IVF, and it was a story that we really wanted to share.

"So when St Mary's Hospital sent out the communications to anyone who was due to give birth over summer, we were really passionate about the idea of sharing our story and sharing some hope for other people.

"It was also having a document of her that we could keep for the rest of our lives, so it was important for us to apply."

The fixed-rig observational documentary ran for 11 series between 2010 and 2018 on Channel 4.

After an eight-year break, the show has returned to the small screen.

It was filmed at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester, one of the busiest maternity hospitals.

This six-part series follows expectant parents as they arrive at the maternity unit, each carrying their own hopes, fears and dreams for the future.

Kate and Matt's story will feature in episode two.

"It was obviously a lot to deal with emotionally, spiritually, physically over the years, particularly for Kate and me watching from the sidelines," said Matt.

"But to know it was the last [embryo], it was like OK, we're going to get on with real life now after this because every other one didn't quite work.

"But then she came and it just answered all the calls."

Kate said it was emotional to watch her labour with her daughter, who is now four months old, sitting on her lap.

"We talk about how we met, we talk about our IVF journey, some of the struggles and challenges we had, we've had loss in that journey as well," said Kate.

"To watch ourselves talk about that while she was sat on our laps and then see that moment of her being pulled out [during her C-section] it's quite gruesome but also gorgeous."

Matt added: "Personally, it was another form of therapy [to watch the episode].

"It's been such a long emotional journey to work with the team that produced the show and go back over our history and like how we met, how we fell in love and everything that just led to this point was great to think about and put out there."

Becky Longworth, who has been a midwife for 10 years, was among the St Mary's Hospital team to be filmed for the series.

"It can feel like a lot initially," she said.

"You're very aware when you're watching the cameras go up and then you're getting your microphone put on at the start of the shift.

"But then you soon forget - the shift just runs its course.

"You've got other things to think about. You're very busy and you see us how we are every day."

Becky said she hoped the show helped to shine a positive light on maternity services, which have come under intense scrutiny in recent years.

"We are a friendly face. We do support you. We do answer your questions," she said.

"We do listen to you. We do accommodate your choices.

"And if people can come into us knowing that about us already then it will make their journey and their experience a lot more positive for them from the outset."

You can watch One Born Every Minute on E4 from Sunday 25 October at 21:00 GMT.

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