TVScope: Miracles in the Womb Channel 4, 9pm, February 15th
From the very beginning of this one hour and 35 minute programme, I was captivated. Combining computer graphics, 3D ultrasound and life-like models, the documentary viewed life from conception to birth.
In particular, it focused on three pregnancies: a set of identical twins - a single egg fertilised by a single sperm that divides into two separate embryos; triplets who were, in fact, a set of identical twins and a fraternal twin; and, perhaps most amazing of all, identical quadruplets. The chance of identical quads being conceived is 1:64 million, making it a very rare occurrence indeed.
Tracking life from the moment of conception, the programme followed the development of the embryo from the time it was smaller than a grain of sand until it was ready to be born. Anyone who imagines that life begins at the moment of birth would have to question that particular theory after viewing this remarkable production. For it was evident that each tiny collection of cells was very much alive from the moment the egg and sperm met.
Other fascinating facts came to light during the programme. For example, did you know that there is a 1:250 chance of conceiving identical twins? And that the chance of fraternal twins - when two eggs are fertilised at the same time by two different sperm - is hugely influenced by ethnicity. Oriental parents have a 1:400 chance compared with 1:80 chance in Caucasians, while Nigerian parents' chances are a whopping 1:25 of conceiving fraternal twins.
Multiple pregnancies are profoundly different from single pregnancies. Instead of first human contact beginning when a midwife unceremoniously yanks you from the comfort of your watery nest, from the moment of conception you have contact with another human. 3D ultrasound footage shows how multiple foetuses interact in the womb; playing, fighting and even kissing each other. Being kicked in the head at this tender age may not be much fun but at least it prepares you for life outside the womb!
Narrated by the soothing tones of Dilly Barlow, the only jarring element was the voiceover used when footage of the animated computer graphic was on screen. Sounding very much like the guy who did the Hovis ads, it was a little twee compared with the overall soothing and hypnotic nature of the programme. It was almost enough to make this reviewer feel broody!
Review by Marion Kerr, an occupational therapist