TV crews are set to descend on Basildon Hospital to film a new documentary highlighting the “inspiring” journey of midwives and the hard work they carry out every single day.

The Real Midwives Of Essex is aiming to provide a unique glimpse into the lives of the midwives who support thousands of families every year during childbirth.

Over a nine-week filming period, film crews will be granted exclusive access to the maternity ward to capture the first-hand experiences of midwives.

Camera crews will follow staff as they provide care to expecting parents, assist in deliveries and offer vital support before, during, and after birth.

It is hoped the documentary will encourage more people to consider a career as a midwife, and to provide a unique insight into the rewarding role.

Nicki Abbott, managing director of women’s and children’s services at Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, expressed her excitement about the show.

She said: “We are excited to collaborate with UKTV and Firecracker Films to celebrate our student midwives and showcase what an important and rewarding career this is.

“We hope the series will encourage more midwives to consider working in our hospitals.”

The documentary, called The Real Midwives of Essex, is expected to premiere later this year, however an exact date is yet to be confirmed. It will air on W, formerly known as Watch, and free catch-up service UKTV Play.

The trust say additional information about the documentary series, including its broadcast schedule, will be announced in the coming months.

Sam Emmery, executive producer from Firecracker Films added: “We are delighted to be working with the team at UKTV on this exciting new series.

“We are also incredibly grateful to Basildon Hospital for granting us privileged access to their maternity ward and are looking forward to introducing viewers to an amazing group of midwives.”

The cast will be made up of a mixture of student midwives, their teachers, and newly- qualified midwives, following their early starts and 12-hour shifts, through to their home lives and evenings out together.

In 2023, a team of maternity staff at Basildon Hospital won the East of England Maternity Unit Marvels award.

This was for their care for a mum and her twin new borns during a complicated birth. They helped deliver the babies by an emergency caesarean, and despite complications, it was successful, and the babies were born safely.