Expectant parents on reality show

Tommie Lee's birth will be shared by the nation, who can watch Christine go into labour, rush into hospital and give birth to her third child. She is joining five other pregnant women and their partners as part of Baby House, a reality television show which started yesterday.

Housed in a mansion in Surrey, the expectant mothers will experience nappy changing and breast feeding en masse. As Christine says, "We will all be whingeing together". But both Christine, 33, and her husband Charlie, 36, say they are excited by the prospect of sharing the next fortnight with anyone who cares to tune in to ITV on a weekday afternoon. "Everyone wants to go on telly, don't they?" Charlie says. "I am a bit of a drama queen, whenever there is a camera I am in front of it. But it is a bit of a holiday for me, two weeks off work."

Christine seems far from stressed by the idea of being filmed during a time when most women would want some space. "It will be a laugh. This year we are not going on holiday, so it will be nice to get away from the house."

The show is surrounded by controversy. Both the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) refused to take part in the programme due to concerns over the stress it could place upon the women. Louise Silverton, the Deputy General Secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, says: "The last few weeks of pregnancy are a time of mental preparation for the birth and for the changes that come with parenthood. It is an intimate time. This programme could, for some people, be deeply intrusive."

She also has concerns for the mental health of the babies: "Recent studies show that stress in the antenatal period can have an adverse effect on the unborn foetus. We have concerns regarding this programme, since it appears it is not a record of labour and birth in an ordinary birth setting. Indeed, it seems to the Royal College of Midwives that it is entertainment rather than being informative for the general public."

Christine says that she is prepared for the cameras that will follow her to Royal Surrey County Hospital, where she is due to give birth on July 18. They will follow her throughout her labour, but will stop if being filmed becomes too traumatic. "I am not too sure whether I will be happy being filmed in labour yet, it depends how I feel at the time," she says.

The hospital has given its support to the programme. A spokesperson said: "The Royal Surrey is pleased to be involved in a programme designed to inform first time parents and to support those couples who wish to take part.

"Discussions took place between the company and senior maternity staff prior to the hospital's agreement to assist. These meetings reassured hospital staff that the programme would be informative to first time parents and help them understand the last few weeks of pregnancy. Assurance has been given that couples may withdraw at any time."

With the couples happy to take part, the educational value for expectant mothers and fathers could prove invaluable. The programme's producer, Johnny McCune, says: "The plan is to give information and support to mothers and fathers. The health and well-being of the participants will be our main concern, and the production will ensure that they have everything they need to make this a positive and enlightening experience. With the decline of the extended family, many parents do not have the support and information network that they need. We feel this show will be a positive, educational and helpful platformfor the participants and viewers."

His views are echoed by the celebrity doctor Miriam Stoppard, who will be on hand to offer advice to all of the parents. She says: "I want to help parents have the labour and birth they want, and enable them to make informed choices about the process. It is also important to include fathers in this process. They often feel sidelined and do not have the opportunity to voice their own concerns."

There is clearly a demand for advice for people about to embark upon parenthood. Antenatal classes are increasingly slotted between work commitments and new parents are less likely to live near to members of their extended family. The Baby Channel, which describes itself as "the world's first television channel exclusively for pregnant women and parents of pre-school children," has already tapped into what could soon be a booming market.

Charlie quips that Baby House should be called "Big Mamma", but producers maintain that it will not simply follow the reality television formula of capturing people at their best and worst in order to secure viewers. Although any woman appearing on television while giving birth is unlikely to be at their most attractive. The screams and swearing could rival even the most vicious reality viewing.

'Baby House' is at 2.15pm weekdays on ITV1