When the heavily-pregnant Maria Connor started having regular contractions in June 2009, she was taken to Weatherfield General by neighbour Sally Webster and accompanied by anxious brother Kirk Sutherland. Maria, being monitored in the examination room by the Midwife, was told that her blood pressure was normal and that the baby also seemed fine. Explaining that she could be in for a long wait, the midwife asked her if she'd bought a good book to read.