Reality TV show One Born Every Minute is back for its 12th series, focusing on childbirth, diversity, and the sharing of stories in the age of social media. The series, which first aired in 2010, captivated viewers with its fly-on-the-wall perspective of life in a maternity unit, showcasing everything from midwives discussing unusual pregnancy cravings to parents debating unique baby names.
Changes in Childbirth Narratives
As the show returns for a new generation accustomed to sharing their lives online, significant changes have emerged in how parents discuss their experiences. Will Rowson, the executive producer at Dragonfly, which produces the show for Channel 4, noted, "Quite a bit is different about the way that people have children. People are so used to sharing. They expect to share, there is a willingness to share, and that is a generational thing."
The first episode, airing on Sunday night, addresses contemporary issues that have gained prominence since the show last aired in 2018. Topics include the rise in caesarean births, which have doubled over the past decade, as well as health anxiety and pregnancy loss. This series shifts the focus from medical staff to the parents themselves, aiming to present a more diverse range of stories.
A New Approach to Storytelling
Rowson emphasized the importance of narrative depth, stating, "We’re recognising that people will get their miscellany and gentle anthropology elsewhere, so we make sure we’re giving the narratives, the backstories of the families, and understanding what the birth means to them. That’s the sort of context and richness you don’t get in a 30-second clip."
