Call the Midwife s04e04 Episode Script
Series 4, Episode 4
'There was a rhythm to the days in Poplar.
'Church on Sunday, clinic on a Tuesday afternoon, 'wages paid each Friday 'and babies born early or late and hardly ever when expected.
'But that they would arrive was never doubted, or that for some there would be pain as well as joy.
' I don't know what's happened to acting Sister Franklin! Clinic isn't going to get any less busy just because she's decided to make her grand entrance Chop, chop! It would help if we didn't have to clear up after the youth club every time.
We have 32 expectant and post natal mothers on the list today and 15 babies for vaccinations.
In which case, you need to do your best work, so we nurses can do ours.
I'll make sure all of our patients get ample time with a midwife and with Doctor, if they need it.
Ample time?! Just keep moving them along and lining them up.
The medical staff will decide what they need.
If you're looking for your ashtray, it was put in the wrong box.
Nurse Crane.
Once seen, never forgotten.
I was a midwife for ten years! All right, all right! Do you want me to call in the bobbies on horseback? Nurse Mount, take Nurse Franklin's list.
And step to it, we can't afford any slackers today.
Come on, let's get in first.
Good morning, ladies! Good morning! I've been on the telephone with the Bishop's secretary for the last half an hour.
Well, go on.
Don't be a tease.
What did the Bishop want with a lowly curate? Apparently, he likes the work I've been doing, wants to meet me in person to tell me so.
How marvellous.
Are we supposed to go to him or is he coming here? Well, he'll want to meet me too, won't he? I didn't actually ask him.
Well, of course he will.
I'm going to be your wife.
Well, I think the bishop would be very foolish not to want to meet the best asset this lowly curate has.
Make sure you get straight back on the telephone and tell him so.
Come along now.
Oh, rotten pains in my back, yeah.
Oh, and the midwife telling me I'm not even in labour.
Mrs Colter, please.
Didn't we discuss this? Not upsetting these mothers with your anecdotes, not least of all your daughter-in-law.
I won't have her believing any fairy stories, nurse, about the "miracle of childbirth".
But you'd happily fill her head with Grimms' tales? ~ Mrs Cole? Mrs Bridget Cole? ~ Me.
There's a very reliable clock on the church tower - I suggest you set your watch by it.
I'm sorry, Nurse Crane.
It's not good enough.
As acting sister, you should be an example to the others.
Pull your socks up! I sometimes think you've got as many frills inside that head as you've got on that cap.
King Henry VIII, six wives he wedded - one died, one survived, two divorced, two beheaded.
Poor Anne Boleyn was the first to have her head chopped off with a very sharp sword.
~ Ugh! ~ One good swing and off it rolled.
What do you think you're doing?! They're five year olds! Mrs Bowe, what's the matter? She was telling him such stories.
I'll not get him off to sleep tonight.
I was merely nurturing our fledging historians.
I know you were, Sister.
But perhaps, just for now, you might help me roll some bandages? Your pregnancy is quite advanced for this to be your fist clinic visit, Mrs Cole.
I haven't really had time before now - been busy working - and it's 'Miss'.
Do you think that makes me a wicked woman, Sister? You're here as a mother-to-be and I'm here as a midwife.
Let's leave questions of wickedness at the door, shall we? The first thing we'll do is take your medical history, then check your weight and blood pressure and baby's heartbeat.
After that, Dr Turner will need to take a blood sample from you.
Pass it through.
We've got orders from Billingham's for more cable-laid rope and Reeks want lengths of 18 thread yarn.
~ That's what we like to hear! ~ Isn't it just? We're heading for the best summer we've had for a fair while.
It'd mean the world to my old dad, seeing the business thriving, seeing it all kept alive.
This would mean the world and all.
Someone to follow in his footsteps and mine.
Mrs Robbins, I thought I'd missed you! Sorry, I didn't see the time.
This is my husband Frank.
Pleased to meet you.
Is everything all right? Oh, it's just a routine call.
~ Need to check everything's ready for the baby.
~ Ready? She's bought enough and knitted enough to kit out a full ship's crew.
There's nothing like being prepared.
~ See ya.
~ See ya.
I sometimes reckon he's the hardest working man in Poplar.
When it comes out, Nurse, just you make sure it's a boy.
On an invitation you'd put "The Right Reverend the Lord Billy Smith, "Bishop of wherever".
But in person, you should call him either just "Bishop" or "My Lord Bishop".
Oh.
I was going to call him "Your Grace".
Have I got that wrong? Your call, Babs! "Your Grace" is just for Archbishops, not that I've ever met one.
My father's parish was in the roughest bit of Liverpool.
When I turned 21, my godmother said I could choose between a holiday in Portofino or a course at Lucie Clayton.
I'm starting to wish I'd picked the latter.
I've never been abroad.
I'd plump for Portofino every time.
Oh, you'd hate it.
They don't sell Tizer.
To be frank, Trixie, I don't know why you're rolling out all these whistles and bells.
Surely all the usual etiquettes apply.
Don't talk with your mouth full and never discuss politics, money or religion.
How can I not discuss religion? He's a bishop.
Perhaps you should make a list of interesting things to say about the weather and what's going on in Somaliland.
Why Somaliland? It's been in the news and clergymen love news from Africa.
I need another drink.
~ Hello, sweetheart.
~ You all right, Brenda? Going inside, are you? Hello, I'm Sister Winifred.
I think nobody here wants saving.
Thanks all the same.
No, actually, I'm the midwife.
I'm here to see Miss Cole.
Ah!! Bridget! Come after me, please.
Yes, up.
Everything here seems to be in good order.
I'm sure I must have forgotten something.
'Where you going?!' It's not always so bad as this.
Hope you remember what you said, about leaving talk of wickedness outside the door.
Do you intend to go back to your business after baby's born? I never really stopped.
I don't do the full works.
Can't lose my regulars.
I'm just wondering Do you think this is the right kind of place to bring up a child? It's my home, my family.
This baby won't ever want for love, isn't that what's important? Dora! Dora, come away from there in your bare feet.
Did I do that? Break that? It's OK.
Who's this?! Dora.
This is Sister Winifred, the midwife.
She's come to check everything's ready for my little bun.
I should have a look at that for you.
Let the sister have a look.
She's from the clinic.
No! I'll have no doctor lock me up! Dora, don't be silly.
I'll go to no hospital! I just want to clean the wound, Dora.
Once they get their hands on me, they won't let me out.
Let me.
She'll be fine if I do it.
It's probably best if you go, Sister.
I'm sorry.
She won't calm down while you're here.
I'm sorry.
When she gets in a state, only really me can calm her down.
She doesn't really trust any of the other girls.
Is she always disorientated like that? Comes and goes.
But she has been getting worse, the last few months.
Those lesions, they're known as gummas.
~ I'd like to bring Dr Turner to examine her and ~ No.
You heard how she is about doctors.
It's a terror she has.
She needs treatment.
I think what Dora is suffering from is quite advanced syphilis.
You knew? She'd had it for years, ever since I've known her.
~ You can't go on looking after her in your condition.
~ We're fine.
We look after each other.
I think we're ready.
I hope we are.
~ Goodness! ~ Please.
I see what your husband meant! And what about this beautiful little thing? Did you knit this? No, my mother, God rest her soul.
Was mine when I was a baby.
She saved it for me in case I have a daughter of my own.
Mrs Robbins, whatever your husband says, it's perfectly all right for you to want a little girl.
As long as it's healthy, I don't mind what it is.
I don't want to let Frank down.
I really can't believe when the day comes he'll see it like that.
We've been wanting a baby for such a long time.
We got to thinking it was never going to happen.
And now it has and that's just wonderful - boy or girl.
Isn't it? I wanted to go straight round to that ropery and tell Mrs Robbins' husband he was being most unfair.
It's one thing to quietly hope and quite another to go on and on until his wife is terrified.
Male or female, for good or ill, that baby's gender was decided months ago.
All the same, I'm baffled that anyone thinks that girls aren't the equal of boys.
I don't think they are the equal of boys - I think they're better.
But what if the girls themselves don't think they're better? The women I visited today are selling themselves so cheaply.
What other wares have they to offer, but to live in the rank sweat of an enseamed bed, stew'd in corruption, honeying and making love? I sometimes wonder what the last two wars were for, in that respect.
Every time the world goes up in flames, they draft women in to pick up the slack and then once it's over, it's back in your box and don't say boo! And now, keeping one hand under baby's bottom, we lower our little boy or girl into the bath.
If you've tested the water correctly, with your elbow, baby shouldn't be too startled by the change in temperature.
~ Mrs Robbins? ~ Sorry.
I know it's a doll, not a real baby I think everything's getting just a bit too much, isn't it? Hormones can be beastly things.
Nurse Gilbert! I think Mrs Robbins needs a little sit down.
~ Sister, are you free to come with me on a house call? ~ Of course, Doctor.
~ Which patient is it? ~ Bridget Cole.
Her blood tests came back.
I'll have a word with Dr Turner and tell him you haven't been sleeping.
If you're lucky, he might give you a sedative to help you sleep.
The most important thing is that you rest and try not to worry.
I wouldn't be surprised if he's not already thinking he can find some young slip of a thing instead.
What on Earth do you mean? Some girl still young enough to give him two, three half a dozen sons.
I'm sure it hasn't even crossed his mind.
Didn't I say? Dora doesn't want to see a doctor, she just won't! Miss Cole, he's not here about Dora.
Go on, Dora.
Go on.
It's about the blood sample we took at the clinic.
Miss Cole, the result shows that you're infected with syphilis.
I can't be.
How can I? If it goes untreated, there are very serious consequences for you.
I always took precautions, always used a proper peroxide douche after all my customers.
The use of a douche is not enough to fight an infection like this.
This syphilis could also endanger the life of your baby.
We need to transfer you to the maternity home to begin a course of penicillin injections.
There is a chance, if the disease is at an early stage, the infection may still be contagious.
Oh, my God! ~ Good afternoon, Mr Robbins.
Are you here about your wife? ~ No, I'm not.
It's my father's birthday today.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to intrude.
No, it's all out in the open, Nurse.
Frank was my father.
His sons are me and my brothers, Bill and John.
dad's ship was torpedoed - he went down with it.
In the spring of '45, my brothers got blown up.
They were on a minesweeper in the Bay of Biscay.
I ended up with three sets of medals and the family business.
This is their memorial, most of the time.
But on special occasions, I come here.
I'm going to bring my son when he's old enough.
Mr Robbins, the baby may be a boy, but may also be a girl.
Your wife can't choose and neither can you.
I promised my dad to carry on the business with a son.
I need a son.
Hello there.
Tom, what do you think about offering the Bishop something more continental for afternoon tea? Or is traditional best? Dainty sandwiches, jam, cream scones, lots of Darjeeling? I could ask Barbara.
She seems to know everything about bishops and all the etiquette.
~ Trixie ~ You see, her father is a canon, he's a residentiary one, not an honorary one.
Did you know there are different kinds? Trixie, when the Bishop comes, you just need to relax.
Remember, he's coming primarily to speak to me.
Now, I'm expected by the summer fete committee and I'm at least 20 minutes late.
Welcome to the Poplar Ritz.
Full room service and tea in constant supply.
I'll leave you to unpack.
I'll be back shortly to give you your first injection.
I tried to get rid of it, you know? Gin and a hot bath.
Never fails, Dora said.
By the time I knew it hadn't worked, must have been four months gone.
Went to a woman to have it dealt with.
Got as far as her door, but I couldn't do it.
Why not? I thought, if it's so keen to get itself born, might as well go and have it and love it.
Give it the love I never had.
And now, I could be bringing it into the world diseased, ~ like I'm diseased.
~ Bridget, you're here to have treatment.
There's a decent chance your baby will be healthy when it's born and that you'll be well enough to take good care of it.
I am grateful, Sister.
I just don't understand why after such great strides in modern medicine, we're still treating women like Bridget Cole for syphilis.
Well, it's largely because these girls refuse to ask their clients to use sheaths.
But that doesn't make sense.
~ Has nobody explained to them? ~ Yes.
I tried myself some years ago.
They told me their customers don't like them and that was the end of the matter.
~ But surely their customers are at risk too.
~ Of course they are.
Here's last year's report from the Board of Health - every instance of venereal disease meticulously noted.
If I could, I'd force every man who sidles down Cable Street to read it and they'd still say using a sheath is like going for a paddle with your socks on.
Para bailar La Bamba Para bailar La Bamba Se necessita una poca de gracia Una poca de gracia Para mi, para it, ay arriba, ay arriba I must have cycled 20 miles today.
I walked in from those bike sheds like John Wayne.
I was beginning to think you'd forgotten! We said we'd go to the Hand and Shears to have a little brightener.
Out of your uniform, spit-spot.
If you're good, I'll treat you to a bitter lemon.
~ Sergeant Noakes? ~ Oh, evening, Sister.
I was testing out what they say about a watched pot.
~ Oh, what's that then? ~ That it never boils.
~ Oh.
Sergeant Noakes, how many prostitutes are there in Poplar? Um Well, I don't know exactly.
Um As an educated guess, perhaps Six or 700? Can you introduce me to some? And what exactly is it you plan to do, Sister? I'm hoping that by educating the women in these places and encouraging them to use sheaths, I'd be helping them protect themselves, meaning we won't have any more Bridget Coles.
Might I be excused Compline? ~ You want to start tonight? ~ Yes.
And not too late.
Sergeant Noakes thinks we ought to try to miss their rush hour.
I'm in your hands, Sergeant Noakes.
Where shall we start? This way, Sister.
You'll be all right.
Come on to my house, my house I'm gonna give you candy Come on to my house, my house I'm gonna give you apple, a plum and an apricot Could I give you some information about using sheaths? Oh, ta.
Come on to my house, my house I'm gonna give you Excuse me, could I give you some useful information about using ~ sheaths to prevent yourself from infection ~ Get lost! Excuse me, could I give you some useful information about using ~ sheaths to prevent yourself from? ~ Are you trying to lose me business? There's plenty of other girls he could go to if I start waving rubbers in his face.
Binky?! Really? His wife calls him Binky? The more I hear about my Bishop, the more I like him.
Well, this is all according to Pop, who only knows him by reputation.
But he tells me the Bishop is teetotal and rather passionate about it, so don't let him know how much you like a drink! ~ How much I like a drink? ~ Oh, you know what I mean.
At the end of a day, Patsy and I always like to guess how soon Trixie's Bar will open! And that's what you call it? Trixie's Bar? It's all said in fun, Trixie.
Aren't you coming down for tea, Sister? I understand we have Battenburg cake.
I saw them marching, like Amazons, banners billowing, votes for women! I would have joined them, had I not labours of my own.
See how young she is.
My 40th year.
Such a summer it was.
I remember women, decent women, wading into the Serpentine on the day of the coronation for King George.
I carried my purpose wherever it was needed, putting the putrid beasts of squalor and disease to the sword.
I was so capable then .
.
agile like a swift in slight.
At the very height of my powers.
And now ~ Sister, you're still a valued part of Nonnatus House.
~ No.
I'm a relic, a curiosity and a nuisance.
They say in the newspaper we're degenerate.
They call us common prostitutes.
And all of that makes us stick together.
Do you want your child growing up in an environment like that? Not really.
But can you see me working in an office, day after day? Or as a housewife? ~ I went to visit a very nice mother and baby home last week.
~ Oh.
I know about those places.
Dormitories, daily chores, lots of prayers This place isn't at all like that.
One of the midwives from Nonnatus works there and she's very good at setting up fresh chances for new mums.
The desk woman say it's OK.
Well, all right.
But you must put on this gown and take it off and wash your hands before you leave.
Everybody miss you, Bridget, especially Dora.
~ So, Dora's going crazy since you not there.
~ What are you talking about? So, put the clothes on.
I will check if the nurse is coming back.
Tom, I'm not sure if my secretary told you why I wanted to meet you today.
No.
Just that you were reasonably happy with the work I've been doing.
Very happy.
Very happy indeed.
You've shown the kind of freshness and vigour that the modern Church needs.
No.
So much so that when I heard about a parish that was coming vacant, not immediately, the man in the chair, an old and dear friend is due to retire in a year, I thought you might be just right for it.
I see.
Goodness! I I'm very gratified, Bishop.
It's in St Anne's, a pretty challenging area of poverty in Newcastle.
Newcastle? I'm sorry, it's just that we had in mind a more rural home to bring up our children.
I'll make another pot of tea, shall I? The parish has its fair share of delinquents and unfortunates, but I'm sure there are rough diamonds to be found.
You'll be glad to hear Mrs Alice Ambrose has had a healthy baby girl.
Oh, splendid! I'm afraid you won't have time for a rest.
We've just had a call.
It sounds like Mrs Colter's in labour.
Right, off I go! Oh, you can sterilise when you get there.
Was the call from June Colter or is her mother-in-law still ~ staying over? ~ I'm afraid it was her mother-in-law.
Trixie, all I'm saying is it wasn't your place or mine to take the Bishop to task.
He was talking about sending us to a slum district in Newcastle! I just said I was hoping for something less challenging.
And then sat there with a face like thunder for the rest of the afternoon.
It was made very clear that I shouldn't talk while the men were discussing important matters that clearly I have no say in! Trixie This morning, I sat with a man whose wife had died.
She was 21 and had Hodgkins Disease.
He wanted me to explain God's plan.
He wanted to know why it was worth him living any more.
That, for me, is what life in the Church is about and that is why I will go where the Bishop feels I can do most good.
I understand that.
Really, I do.
But after four years in Poplar, all I want is for our children to grow in a place with trees and maybe no tenements.
Trixie, when you marry me, you'll be marrying the Church.
Be honest, have you ever wondered whether that's really going to suit you? No, I haven't.
Have you? Everybody's laughing.
Move! Move! Out my way! Shift it! Will you move? Move! Dora? Dora? It's me.
Hello.
All right? You all right? Let's get you upstairs.
Come on, let's get you out of here.
You should be ashamed of yourselves! Move! Sometimes, we'll sigh Sometimes, we'll cry And we'll know why just you and I know true love ways.
Oh! You're doing really well, June, but do try to relax.
We've plenty of time before baby's ready to pop out.
Plenty of time.
You think this is proper labour, you've got another think coming, hasn't she, Nurse? Mrs Colter, could I have a word? I have delivered babies in many different circumstances - routine or complicated.
Now, compare your own largely third-hand experiences and decide which of us you trust more to help your daughter-in-law bring your first grandchild into the world.
Has she reached full term? No, she's only eight months.
This way.
She's upstairs.
Bridget.
Sister, I'm sorry.
I only came back to check on Dora.
Let's take a look at you.
Bridget, this is Nurse Crane, here to give us a bit of help.
And how often are the contractions, Miss Cole? They feel about every bloody minute! Oh! Good, strong heartbeat.
Legs up.
She's too advanced to move her back to the maternity home.
Bridget, we're going to have to deliver your baby here.
~ Knees down.
~ If she hasn't finished her treatment, we have to assume the syphilis is still contagious.
I'll call for Dr Turner? ~ My back is killing me.
~ Well, let's get you onto your hands and knees - ~ that'll ease the pressure.
~ Ooh! ~ Here we go.
There you go.
~ Oh! Help! Is anyone there? I need a midwife! I need some help! ~ I need help! ~ Here's a knocking indeed! ~ Is anyone there? ~ If a man were porter of hell-gate ~ Oh! ~ What are you about? ~ It's you! This is no night to be abroad! Can I see a midwife? Please! This is highly untoward.
Why did you not utilise the telephone? My husband took the kids to Canvey Island and the phone on the bottom of our street is bust.
All will be well, my dear.
All will be well.
I'm scared it won't be.
I came cos my waters broke and it don't look right! It was sort ofgreen coloured.
You did well to seek assistance and it shall be obtained for you.
I need a proper midwife! All abed? Will nobody attend to us? We are in need of assistance! Come with me.
~ Come where? ~ To a place of safety, where you will be cared for.
Argh! ~ Breathe.
Breathe.
~ It's never coming out! I can see the head now, Bridget.
Slow and controlled pushes now, Bridget.
Slow and controlled.
You're in the home straight.
No more pushing now.
Let me see you blowing out those candles for me.
The head's out.
~ Shoulders are out.
You're nearly there.
~ Argh! Urgh! Well done! My baby.
There she is.
You have a little girl, Bridget.
We need to examine her and clean her.
Dr Turner's on his way.
Are you sure this is the right way? You must take your lead from Lao-Tzu, the Chinese philosopher.
He has it that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
This is Poplar, not bloody China! Indeed.
I'm pleased to say June Colter had a large, very sweet, baby girl without a single complication.
Excellent.
That's two in one day.
And how is her mother-in-law? I tried being firm with her - it seemed to work.
Mr Robbins just called - he thinks his wife is in labour - but you've been on your feet since breakfast.
Go and alert Nurse Franklin - she should be ready to take over.
Wakey-wakey! Trixie? Oh, Trixie! I'll take care of this one for you.
Careful.
We're in need of assistance! Sister Monica Joan! What's happened? Mrs Bowe presented herself at Nonnatus House.
Her waters broke.
There was She knew there was a problem.
You've both done exactly the right thing.
The doctor isn't here just now, but we'll get Mrs Bowe out of these wet things and come up with a plan.
Baby's heart rate is a little slow.
I'm going to check how dilated you are, ~ but I think you're going to have to have baby here and quickly.
~ No! Fortune has favoured us, Mrs Bowe.
Mrs Turner has delivered more babies than there are stars in the Great Andromeda Nebula.
We'll need a delivery pack and clean towels from the storeroom, Sister.
~ And the breathing was normal just after the birth.
~ Yes.
But now the respiration rate is over Baby's not pinking up well.
It's cyanosed.
~ She looks so beautiful, doesn't she? ~ She does.
Very beautiful.
But so fragile.
Oh, there can't be anything wrong with her.
Please, don't let there be! Argh! Argh! Ah! Baby's head is almost here, Eileen.
I know it stings, but just pant for me.
Pant.
Pant.
Pant.
All is well, my dear.
Do as Mrs Turner says.
Pant, Eileen.
~ Your baby's head is born, Eileen! ~ Argh! How blessed we were to meet with Mrs Turner.
How blessed I was to meet with y Argh! Now, I think if you can give me one enormous brave push, we're going to be able to meet this beautiful, beautiful baby.
I can't! ~ I can't! ~ Now, now.
Be of good courage! ~ Nurse, she's through here.
~ Thank you, Mr Robbins.
You're doing really well, Susan.
Another big push for me.
I can't push any more.
You can.
Just one more.
Goodness, I can see the head, Susan! This little one's in quite a hurry to come and say hello to you.
Here come the shoulders.
Oh! ~ There you are, little one.
~ Is it a boy? You have a very lovely baby.
A beautiful daughter.
Say hello to your little girl.
Isn't she beautiful? Hello.
That's all the hard work over.
Now, we just have to wait for the placenta.
Nurse? Is everything all right? Look at her.
Now, wasn't she worth all that hard work? Aren't you? Aren't you just? ~ I thought I was going to lose her.
~ No.
Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
I'm going to have a thank you list as long as my arm.
I looked straight past you when you opened the door - ~ I shouldn't have.
~ Oh, it's no matter.
I've been struggling for a name for this little madam.
Everything I liked, I heard being yelled out in the street by somebody else's mother.
I want something special.
Like er Yours might do the trick as long as we drop the Joan.
I had an aunt called Joan - I couldn't stand her.
You're going to call the baby Monica? It is an honour .
.
unearned.
No, it ain't.
It goes lovely with her surname.
Don't it? Miss Monica Anne Bowe.
I was hoping the injection of Ergometrine would do the job, but the placenta doesn't seem to want to come.
What's happening in there? Is everything all right? Don't tell him it's a girl, not yet, please! I won't, I promise.
But I do need to speak to him, Susan.
~ You need to make a telephone call, Mr Robbins.
~ What's going on? Call Dr Turner and tell him that your wife has a retained placenta.
The ambulance will take you to the hospital, Mrs Robbins.
They'll take good care of you there.
She'll be all right, won't she? They'll give her a general anaesthetic.
Everything will be easier once she's there.
And the baby? Is it a boy? Tell me, what is it? You have a very beautiful baby daughter, Mr Robbins.
Frank, please Just look at her, at least.
Frank How could you turn your back on your own newborn daughter? Are you listening to me? Nurse Gilbert, I'm going to drive you home.
He can't treat his wife like that! You have had a long and exhausting day.
We can collect your bicycle in the morning.
There is nothing more for you to do here.
The London called, about booking in Mrs Robbins.
They told me that you and not Nurse Franklin were the nurse attending.
~ Sorry, Sister.
~ You didn't help the problem by hiding it.
There's no need for anyone else to know about this.
You look exhausted.
Go and get some rest.
I'll get Nurse Franklin into her bed.
From a grand total of ten deliveries, which I'm reliably informed is the most in one day since 1957 .
.
Sister Winifred delivered two.
I also delivered two - twins.
Sister Julienne and Nurse Mount only managed one each.
But an exhausting three babies, all girls, were brought into the world by Nurse Gilbert.
Oh, bravo! Not forgetting our very own Sister Monica Joan, who so ably assisted Mrs Turner.
~ Hurray! ~ Hurray! Although, I do seem to have forgotten Nurse Franklin.
~ Where's she disappeared to now? ~ She's upstairs, resting.
A little under the weather.
The way Mrs Turner tells the tale, all credit goes to you, Sister.
But now, it's time everyone went up to their beds.
Tomorrow is another day.
Thank you.
The perineum was intact and there was minimal blood loss.
But Patrick, I was so nervous.
I still can't believe I did it.
I can! You were always the most accomplished midwife at Nonnatus House.
~ Skills like that don't just vanish when you retire.
~ I suppose not.
It was as though everything I'd ever learned or known was there at the flick of a switch.
I sometimes think you're wasted as my receptionist.
No, I'm not.
When I let somebody else take over your office you were in utter chaos within weeks.
There are plenty of other midwives in the world.
But I only have one wife.
This, Angela, is them doing their mushy stuff.
You really need to get used to it.
I feel foolish and so selfish for what I did last night.
A few days ago, it felt like everything was in place.
I'm sure things are not as terrible as you might feel they are.
The wedding was all planned.
The Bishop was delighted with what Tom was doing.
Tom's a good committed man.
And what am I? Nurse Franklin, you make a great contribution to our work - one slip cannot alter that.
Perhaps he's right.
Perhaps I'd never make a good curate's wife.
I'd never had a row with him before about anything not really.
Felt like it was all starting to fall apart.
I had a drink.
Then I couldn't stop.
I used to hear my father telling the whole world he didn't have a problem with drink.
~ Have you spoken to Mr Hereward about this? ~ No.
Please.
He mustn't find out.
Are you sure that's how you want your marriage to begin - with a deception, a secret? He won't want to marry me if he found out.
What man would? Think very carefully.
A secret can be a very corrosive thing between a man and wife.
She's such a beautiful thing.
I can see she has Frank's eyes.
When she smiles, she's a Robbins, she really is.
Oh, he's driving me mad, him and his stupid promise.
Mr Robbins lost his father and two brothers in the war.
He made a promise to their memory that a son of his would carry on the family name.
He'll come round, Susan.
He's not even held her.
He's hardly even looked at her, his own daughter.
Mrs Robbins, it won't do your health any good to allow yourself to get so anxious about this.
I keep looking at the suitcase on the top of that wardrobe and I keep thinking, "Will I come home one day to find my "things are packed and him telling me he doesn't want to see her?" Of course he won't.
I can't apologise for the Bishop .
.
or his plans for a parish for me in Newcastle.
I know that, now.
Then, what? ~ You were right to say that I wouldn't make a good wife.
~ I didn't say that.
To be a curate's wife is a challenging thing.
I I wanted you to be sure.
And I'm not.
Tom .
.
the truth is, I can't live up to what you and the Church expect of me.
And so I can't keep the promise that this ring represents.
Trixie, what are you doing? Trixie Trixie! Bridget? ~ Is everything all right? ~ Oh.
Look at me.
I'm crying every time I look at her.
She's a beautiful little girl.
I'm glad to hear, so far, she seems healthy.
I am the luckiest mummy in the world, aren't I? And when this little girl grows up? Will she follow in the family business? Are you here to tell me off, or to check on my baby? I'm sorry.
I'm glad to hear your treatment's working, too.
I owe you a lot, Sister.
Thank you.
You could do something for me.
You could help stop what happened to you happening to the other girls.
I'm not so fond of paperwork either, Mr Robbins.
Doctor.
My wife send you? ~ Did she tell you I was being a terrible father? ~ No.
I came because I'm a father myself.
Good for you.
Any sons? One.
And I promised his mother, before she died, I would always keep him safe.
I'm sorry for your loss .
.
but this isn't your business.
Last year, he was almost taken from me by polio.
So, you see, I know a bit about family promises.
I've let my father down.
By your own measure, yes.
But do you really think your father would care more for the sign above this door than the happiness of your family? About his grandchild? I needed a son not a girl.
Times are changing, Mr Robbins.
There are women in Parliament, already.
By the time the two of us are in the ground, this world will be unrecognisable.
We have to be proud of our children and give them all the love we have.
Your daughter needs you.
Go to her.
Be a proud father to her.
That's your grandfather.
He taught me everything I know about cables, yarns and hawsers.
No rope, no Navy.
No Navy, no Empire.
My grandfather used to say that to me when I thought it was time to tell my daughter how important this place is .
.
for our family.
Big smile, and 'The longest nights are seldom seen approaching.
'The storms may not be heard until they break, 'like life itself.
'Challenges and change are there to be confronted '.
.
and we must weather them - alone or together, 'watching for the sunlight 'and waiting for the dawn.
' Hello.
Can I help? She doesn't speak English.
This is a happy day, Sister Mary Cynthia.
Welcome home.
I'm not sure it's a good idea, Patrick.
You're looking terribly tired as it is.
We can help with the birth and after - all free.
Oh, sorry, can you translate all that? Of course! It's like something you could see after a car accident, or some other great force, such as an assault.
'Church on Sunday, clinic on a Tuesday afternoon, 'wages paid each Friday 'and babies born early or late and hardly ever when expected.
'But that they would arrive was never doubted, or that for some there would be pain as well as joy.
' I don't know what's happened to acting Sister Franklin! Clinic isn't going to get any less busy just because she's decided to make her grand entrance Chop, chop! It would help if we didn't have to clear up after the youth club every time.
We have 32 expectant and post natal mothers on the list today and 15 babies for vaccinations.
In which case, you need to do your best work, so we nurses can do ours.
I'll make sure all of our patients get ample time with a midwife and with Doctor, if they need it.
Ample time?! Just keep moving them along and lining them up.
The medical staff will decide what they need.
If you're looking for your ashtray, it was put in the wrong box.
Nurse Crane.
Once seen, never forgotten.
I was a midwife for ten years! All right, all right! Do you want me to call in the bobbies on horseback? Nurse Mount, take Nurse Franklin's list.
And step to it, we can't afford any slackers today.
Come on, let's get in first.
Good morning, ladies! Good morning! I've been on the telephone with the Bishop's secretary for the last half an hour.
Well, go on.
Don't be a tease.
What did the Bishop want with a lowly curate? Apparently, he likes the work I've been doing, wants to meet me in person to tell me so.
How marvellous.
Are we supposed to go to him or is he coming here? Well, he'll want to meet me too, won't he? I didn't actually ask him.
Well, of course he will.
I'm going to be your wife.
Well, I think the bishop would be very foolish not to want to meet the best asset this lowly curate has.
Make sure you get straight back on the telephone and tell him so.
Come along now.
Oh, rotten pains in my back, yeah.
Oh, and the midwife telling me I'm not even in labour.
Mrs Colter, please.
Didn't we discuss this? Not upsetting these mothers with your anecdotes, not least of all your daughter-in-law.
I won't have her believing any fairy stories, nurse, about the "miracle of childbirth".
But you'd happily fill her head with Grimms' tales? ~ Mrs Cole? Mrs Bridget Cole? ~ Me.
There's a very reliable clock on the church tower - I suggest you set your watch by it.
I'm sorry, Nurse Crane.
It's not good enough.
As acting sister, you should be an example to the others.
Pull your socks up! I sometimes think you've got as many frills inside that head as you've got on that cap.
King Henry VIII, six wives he wedded - one died, one survived, two divorced, two beheaded.
Poor Anne Boleyn was the first to have her head chopped off with a very sharp sword.
~ Ugh! ~ One good swing and off it rolled.
What do you think you're doing?! They're five year olds! Mrs Bowe, what's the matter? She was telling him such stories.
I'll not get him off to sleep tonight.
I was merely nurturing our fledging historians.
I know you were, Sister.
But perhaps, just for now, you might help me roll some bandages? Your pregnancy is quite advanced for this to be your fist clinic visit, Mrs Cole.
I haven't really had time before now - been busy working - and it's 'Miss'.
Do you think that makes me a wicked woman, Sister? You're here as a mother-to-be and I'm here as a midwife.
Let's leave questions of wickedness at the door, shall we? The first thing we'll do is take your medical history, then check your weight and blood pressure and baby's heartbeat.
After that, Dr Turner will need to take a blood sample from you.
Pass it through.
We've got orders from Billingham's for more cable-laid rope and Reeks want lengths of 18 thread yarn.
~ That's what we like to hear! ~ Isn't it just? We're heading for the best summer we've had for a fair while.
It'd mean the world to my old dad, seeing the business thriving, seeing it all kept alive.
This would mean the world and all.
Someone to follow in his footsteps and mine.
Mrs Robbins, I thought I'd missed you! Sorry, I didn't see the time.
This is my husband Frank.
Pleased to meet you.
Is everything all right? Oh, it's just a routine call.
~ Need to check everything's ready for the baby.
~ Ready? She's bought enough and knitted enough to kit out a full ship's crew.
There's nothing like being prepared.
~ See ya.
~ See ya.
I sometimes reckon he's the hardest working man in Poplar.
When it comes out, Nurse, just you make sure it's a boy.
On an invitation you'd put "The Right Reverend the Lord Billy Smith, "Bishop of wherever".
But in person, you should call him either just "Bishop" or "My Lord Bishop".
Oh.
I was going to call him "Your Grace".
Have I got that wrong? Your call, Babs! "Your Grace" is just for Archbishops, not that I've ever met one.
My father's parish was in the roughest bit of Liverpool.
When I turned 21, my godmother said I could choose between a holiday in Portofino or a course at Lucie Clayton.
I'm starting to wish I'd picked the latter.
I've never been abroad.
I'd plump for Portofino every time.
Oh, you'd hate it.
They don't sell Tizer.
To be frank, Trixie, I don't know why you're rolling out all these whistles and bells.
Surely all the usual etiquettes apply.
Don't talk with your mouth full and never discuss politics, money or religion.
How can I not discuss religion? He's a bishop.
Perhaps you should make a list of interesting things to say about the weather and what's going on in Somaliland.
Why Somaliland? It's been in the news and clergymen love news from Africa.
I need another drink.
~ Hello, sweetheart.
~ You all right, Brenda? Going inside, are you? Hello, I'm Sister Winifred.
I think nobody here wants saving.
Thanks all the same.
No, actually, I'm the midwife.
I'm here to see Miss Cole.
Ah!! Bridget! Come after me, please.
Yes, up.
Everything here seems to be in good order.
I'm sure I must have forgotten something.
'Where you going?!' It's not always so bad as this.
Hope you remember what you said, about leaving talk of wickedness outside the door.
Do you intend to go back to your business after baby's born? I never really stopped.
I don't do the full works.
Can't lose my regulars.
I'm just wondering Do you think this is the right kind of place to bring up a child? It's my home, my family.
This baby won't ever want for love, isn't that what's important? Dora! Dora, come away from there in your bare feet.
Did I do that? Break that? It's OK.
Who's this?! Dora.
This is Sister Winifred, the midwife.
She's come to check everything's ready for my little bun.
I should have a look at that for you.
Let the sister have a look.
She's from the clinic.
No! I'll have no doctor lock me up! Dora, don't be silly.
I'll go to no hospital! I just want to clean the wound, Dora.
Once they get their hands on me, they won't let me out.
Let me.
She'll be fine if I do it.
It's probably best if you go, Sister.
I'm sorry.
She won't calm down while you're here.
I'm sorry.
When she gets in a state, only really me can calm her down.
She doesn't really trust any of the other girls.
Is she always disorientated like that? Comes and goes.
But she has been getting worse, the last few months.
Those lesions, they're known as gummas.
~ I'd like to bring Dr Turner to examine her and ~ No.
You heard how she is about doctors.
It's a terror she has.
She needs treatment.
I think what Dora is suffering from is quite advanced syphilis.
You knew? She'd had it for years, ever since I've known her.
~ You can't go on looking after her in your condition.
~ We're fine.
We look after each other.
I think we're ready.
I hope we are.
~ Goodness! ~ Please.
I see what your husband meant! And what about this beautiful little thing? Did you knit this? No, my mother, God rest her soul.
Was mine when I was a baby.
She saved it for me in case I have a daughter of my own.
Mrs Robbins, whatever your husband says, it's perfectly all right for you to want a little girl.
As long as it's healthy, I don't mind what it is.
I don't want to let Frank down.
I really can't believe when the day comes he'll see it like that.
We've been wanting a baby for such a long time.
We got to thinking it was never going to happen.
And now it has and that's just wonderful - boy or girl.
Isn't it? I wanted to go straight round to that ropery and tell Mrs Robbins' husband he was being most unfair.
It's one thing to quietly hope and quite another to go on and on until his wife is terrified.
Male or female, for good or ill, that baby's gender was decided months ago.
All the same, I'm baffled that anyone thinks that girls aren't the equal of boys.
I don't think they are the equal of boys - I think they're better.
But what if the girls themselves don't think they're better? The women I visited today are selling themselves so cheaply.
What other wares have they to offer, but to live in the rank sweat of an enseamed bed, stew'd in corruption, honeying and making love? I sometimes wonder what the last two wars were for, in that respect.
Every time the world goes up in flames, they draft women in to pick up the slack and then once it's over, it's back in your box and don't say boo! And now, keeping one hand under baby's bottom, we lower our little boy or girl into the bath.
If you've tested the water correctly, with your elbow, baby shouldn't be too startled by the change in temperature.
~ Mrs Robbins? ~ Sorry.
I know it's a doll, not a real baby I think everything's getting just a bit too much, isn't it? Hormones can be beastly things.
Nurse Gilbert! I think Mrs Robbins needs a little sit down.
~ Sister, are you free to come with me on a house call? ~ Of course, Doctor.
~ Which patient is it? ~ Bridget Cole.
Her blood tests came back.
I'll have a word with Dr Turner and tell him you haven't been sleeping.
If you're lucky, he might give you a sedative to help you sleep.
The most important thing is that you rest and try not to worry.
I wouldn't be surprised if he's not already thinking he can find some young slip of a thing instead.
What on Earth do you mean? Some girl still young enough to give him two, three half a dozen sons.
I'm sure it hasn't even crossed his mind.
Didn't I say? Dora doesn't want to see a doctor, she just won't! Miss Cole, he's not here about Dora.
Go on, Dora.
Go on.
It's about the blood sample we took at the clinic.
Miss Cole, the result shows that you're infected with syphilis.
I can't be.
How can I? If it goes untreated, there are very serious consequences for you.
I always took precautions, always used a proper peroxide douche after all my customers.
The use of a douche is not enough to fight an infection like this.
This syphilis could also endanger the life of your baby.
We need to transfer you to the maternity home to begin a course of penicillin injections.
There is a chance, if the disease is at an early stage, the infection may still be contagious.
Oh, my God! ~ Good afternoon, Mr Robbins.
Are you here about your wife? ~ No, I'm not.
It's my father's birthday today.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to intrude.
No, it's all out in the open, Nurse.
Frank was my father.
His sons are me and my brothers, Bill and John.
dad's ship was torpedoed - he went down with it.
In the spring of '45, my brothers got blown up.
They were on a minesweeper in the Bay of Biscay.
I ended up with three sets of medals and the family business.
This is their memorial, most of the time.
But on special occasions, I come here.
I'm going to bring my son when he's old enough.
Mr Robbins, the baby may be a boy, but may also be a girl.
Your wife can't choose and neither can you.
I promised my dad to carry on the business with a son.
I need a son.
Hello there.
Tom, what do you think about offering the Bishop something more continental for afternoon tea? Or is traditional best? Dainty sandwiches, jam, cream scones, lots of Darjeeling? I could ask Barbara.
She seems to know everything about bishops and all the etiquette.
~ Trixie ~ You see, her father is a canon, he's a residentiary one, not an honorary one.
Did you know there are different kinds? Trixie, when the Bishop comes, you just need to relax.
Remember, he's coming primarily to speak to me.
Now, I'm expected by the summer fete committee and I'm at least 20 minutes late.
Welcome to the Poplar Ritz.
Full room service and tea in constant supply.
I'll leave you to unpack.
I'll be back shortly to give you your first injection.
I tried to get rid of it, you know? Gin and a hot bath.
Never fails, Dora said.
By the time I knew it hadn't worked, must have been four months gone.
Went to a woman to have it dealt with.
Got as far as her door, but I couldn't do it.
Why not? I thought, if it's so keen to get itself born, might as well go and have it and love it.
Give it the love I never had.
And now, I could be bringing it into the world diseased, ~ like I'm diseased.
~ Bridget, you're here to have treatment.
There's a decent chance your baby will be healthy when it's born and that you'll be well enough to take good care of it.
I am grateful, Sister.
I just don't understand why after such great strides in modern medicine, we're still treating women like Bridget Cole for syphilis.
Well, it's largely because these girls refuse to ask their clients to use sheaths.
But that doesn't make sense.
~ Has nobody explained to them? ~ Yes.
I tried myself some years ago.
They told me their customers don't like them and that was the end of the matter.
~ But surely their customers are at risk too.
~ Of course they are.
Here's last year's report from the Board of Health - every instance of venereal disease meticulously noted.
If I could, I'd force every man who sidles down Cable Street to read it and they'd still say using a sheath is like going for a paddle with your socks on.
Para bailar La Bamba Para bailar La Bamba Se necessita una poca de gracia Una poca de gracia Para mi, para it, ay arriba, ay arriba I must have cycled 20 miles today.
I walked in from those bike sheds like John Wayne.
I was beginning to think you'd forgotten! We said we'd go to the Hand and Shears to have a little brightener.
Out of your uniform, spit-spot.
If you're good, I'll treat you to a bitter lemon.
~ Sergeant Noakes? ~ Oh, evening, Sister.
I was testing out what they say about a watched pot.
~ Oh, what's that then? ~ That it never boils.
~ Oh.
Sergeant Noakes, how many prostitutes are there in Poplar? Um Well, I don't know exactly.
Um As an educated guess, perhaps Six or 700? Can you introduce me to some? And what exactly is it you plan to do, Sister? I'm hoping that by educating the women in these places and encouraging them to use sheaths, I'd be helping them protect themselves, meaning we won't have any more Bridget Coles.
Might I be excused Compline? ~ You want to start tonight? ~ Yes.
And not too late.
Sergeant Noakes thinks we ought to try to miss their rush hour.
I'm in your hands, Sergeant Noakes.
Where shall we start? This way, Sister.
You'll be all right.
Come on to my house, my house I'm gonna give you candy Come on to my house, my house I'm gonna give you apple, a plum and an apricot Could I give you some information about using sheaths? Oh, ta.
Come on to my house, my house I'm gonna give you Excuse me, could I give you some useful information about using ~ sheaths to prevent yourself from infection ~ Get lost! Excuse me, could I give you some useful information about using ~ sheaths to prevent yourself from? ~ Are you trying to lose me business? There's plenty of other girls he could go to if I start waving rubbers in his face.
Binky?! Really? His wife calls him Binky? The more I hear about my Bishop, the more I like him.
Well, this is all according to Pop, who only knows him by reputation.
But he tells me the Bishop is teetotal and rather passionate about it, so don't let him know how much you like a drink! ~ How much I like a drink? ~ Oh, you know what I mean.
At the end of a day, Patsy and I always like to guess how soon Trixie's Bar will open! And that's what you call it? Trixie's Bar? It's all said in fun, Trixie.
Aren't you coming down for tea, Sister? I understand we have Battenburg cake.
I saw them marching, like Amazons, banners billowing, votes for women! I would have joined them, had I not labours of my own.
See how young she is.
My 40th year.
Such a summer it was.
I remember women, decent women, wading into the Serpentine on the day of the coronation for King George.
I carried my purpose wherever it was needed, putting the putrid beasts of squalor and disease to the sword.
I was so capable then .
.
agile like a swift in slight.
At the very height of my powers.
And now ~ Sister, you're still a valued part of Nonnatus House.
~ No.
I'm a relic, a curiosity and a nuisance.
They say in the newspaper we're degenerate.
They call us common prostitutes.
And all of that makes us stick together.
Do you want your child growing up in an environment like that? Not really.
But can you see me working in an office, day after day? Or as a housewife? ~ I went to visit a very nice mother and baby home last week.
~ Oh.
I know about those places.
Dormitories, daily chores, lots of prayers This place isn't at all like that.
One of the midwives from Nonnatus works there and she's very good at setting up fresh chances for new mums.
The desk woman say it's OK.
Well, all right.
But you must put on this gown and take it off and wash your hands before you leave.
Everybody miss you, Bridget, especially Dora.
~ So, Dora's going crazy since you not there.
~ What are you talking about? So, put the clothes on.
I will check if the nurse is coming back.
Tom, I'm not sure if my secretary told you why I wanted to meet you today.
No.
Just that you were reasonably happy with the work I've been doing.
Very happy.
Very happy indeed.
You've shown the kind of freshness and vigour that the modern Church needs.
No.
So much so that when I heard about a parish that was coming vacant, not immediately, the man in the chair, an old and dear friend is due to retire in a year, I thought you might be just right for it.
I see.
Goodness! I I'm very gratified, Bishop.
It's in St Anne's, a pretty challenging area of poverty in Newcastle.
Newcastle? I'm sorry, it's just that we had in mind a more rural home to bring up our children.
I'll make another pot of tea, shall I? The parish has its fair share of delinquents and unfortunates, but I'm sure there are rough diamonds to be found.
You'll be glad to hear Mrs Alice Ambrose has had a healthy baby girl.
Oh, splendid! I'm afraid you won't have time for a rest.
We've just had a call.
It sounds like Mrs Colter's in labour.
Right, off I go! Oh, you can sterilise when you get there.
Was the call from June Colter or is her mother-in-law still ~ staying over? ~ I'm afraid it was her mother-in-law.
Trixie, all I'm saying is it wasn't your place or mine to take the Bishop to task.
He was talking about sending us to a slum district in Newcastle! I just said I was hoping for something less challenging.
And then sat there with a face like thunder for the rest of the afternoon.
It was made very clear that I shouldn't talk while the men were discussing important matters that clearly I have no say in! Trixie This morning, I sat with a man whose wife had died.
She was 21 and had Hodgkins Disease.
He wanted me to explain God's plan.
He wanted to know why it was worth him living any more.
That, for me, is what life in the Church is about and that is why I will go where the Bishop feels I can do most good.
I understand that.
Really, I do.
But after four years in Poplar, all I want is for our children to grow in a place with trees and maybe no tenements.
Trixie, when you marry me, you'll be marrying the Church.
Be honest, have you ever wondered whether that's really going to suit you? No, I haven't.
Have you? Everybody's laughing.
Move! Move! Out my way! Shift it! Will you move? Move! Dora? Dora? It's me.
Hello.
All right? You all right? Let's get you upstairs.
Come on, let's get you out of here.
You should be ashamed of yourselves! Move! Sometimes, we'll sigh Sometimes, we'll cry And we'll know why just you and I know true love ways.
Oh! You're doing really well, June, but do try to relax.
We've plenty of time before baby's ready to pop out.
Plenty of time.
You think this is proper labour, you've got another think coming, hasn't she, Nurse? Mrs Colter, could I have a word? I have delivered babies in many different circumstances - routine or complicated.
Now, compare your own largely third-hand experiences and decide which of us you trust more to help your daughter-in-law bring your first grandchild into the world.
Has she reached full term? No, she's only eight months.
This way.
She's upstairs.
Bridget.
Sister, I'm sorry.
I only came back to check on Dora.
Let's take a look at you.
Bridget, this is Nurse Crane, here to give us a bit of help.
And how often are the contractions, Miss Cole? They feel about every bloody minute! Oh! Good, strong heartbeat.
Legs up.
She's too advanced to move her back to the maternity home.
Bridget, we're going to have to deliver your baby here.
~ Knees down.
~ If she hasn't finished her treatment, we have to assume the syphilis is still contagious.
I'll call for Dr Turner? ~ My back is killing me.
~ Well, let's get you onto your hands and knees - ~ that'll ease the pressure.
~ Ooh! ~ Here we go.
There you go.
~ Oh! Help! Is anyone there? I need a midwife! I need some help! ~ I need help! ~ Here's a knocking indeed! ~ Is anyone there? ~ If a man were porter of hell-gate ~ Oh! ~ What are you about? ~ It's you! This is no night to be abroad! Can I see a midwife? Please! This is highly untoward.
Why did you not utilise the telephone? My husband took the kids to Canvey Island and the phone on the bottom of our street is bust.
All will be well, my dear.
All will be well.
I'm scared it won't be.
I came cos my waters broke and it don't look right! It was sort ofgreen coloured.
You did well to seek assistance and it shall be obtained for you.
I need a proper midwife! All abed? Will nobody attend to us? We are in need of assistance! Come with me.
~ Come where? ~ To a place of safety, where you will be cared for.
Argh! ~ Breathe.
Breathe.
~ It's never coming out! I can see the head now, Bridget.
Slow and controlled pushes now, Bridget.
Slow and controlled.
You're in the home straight.
No more pushing now.
Let me see you blowing out those candles for me.
The head's out.
~ Shoulders are out.
You're nearly there.
~ Argh! Urgh! Well done! My baby.
There she is.
You have a little girl, Bridget.
We need to examine her and clean her.
Dr Turner's on his way.
Are you sure this is the right way? You must take your lead from Lao-Tzu, the Chinese philosopher.
He has it that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
This is Poplar, not bloody China! Indeed.
I'm pleased to say June Colter had a large, very sweet, baby girl without a single complication.
Excellent.
That's two in one day.
And how is her mother-in-law? I tried being firm with her - it seemed to work.
Mr Robbins just called - he thinks his wife is in labour - but you've been on your feet since breakfast.
Go and alert Nurse Franklin - she should be ready to take over.
Wakey-wakey! Trixie? Oh, Trixie! I'll take care of this one for you.
Careful.
We're in need of assistance! Sister Monica Joan! What's happened? Mrs Bowe presented herself at Nonnatus House.
Her waters broke.
There was She knew there was a problem.
You've both done exactly the right thing.
The doctor isn't here just now, but we'll get Mrs Bowe out of these wet things and come up with a plan.
Baby's heart rate is a little slow.
I'm going to check how dilated you are, ~ but I think you're going to have to have baby here and quickly.
~ No! Fortune has favoured us, Mrs Bowe.
Mrs Turner has delivered more babies than there are stars in the Great Andromeda Nebula.
We'll need a delivery pack and clean towels from the storeroom, Sister.
~ And the breathing was normal just after the birth.
~ Yes.
But now the respiration rate is over Baby's not pinking up well.
It's cyanosed.
~ She looks so beautiful, doesn't she? ~ She does.
Very beautiful.
But so fragile.
Oh, there can't be anything wrong with her.
Please, don't let there be! Argh! Argh! Ah! Baby's head is almost here, Eileen.
I know it stings, but just pant for me.
Pant.
Pant.
Pant.
All is well, my dear.
Do as Mrs Turner says.
Pant, Eileen.
~ Your baby's head is born, Eileen! ~ Argh! How blessed we were to meet with Mrs Turner.
How blessed I was to meet with y Argh! Now, I think if you can give me one enormous brave push, we're going to be able to meet this beautiful, beautiful baby.
I can't! ~ I can't! ~ Now, now.
Be of good courage! ~ Nurse, she's through here.
~ Thank you, Mr Robbins.
You're doing really well, Susan.
Another big push for me.
I can't push any more.
You can.
Just one more.
Goodness, I can see the head, Susan! This little one's in quite a hurry to come and say hello to you.
Here come the shoulders.
Oh! ~ There you are, little one.
~ Is it a boy? You have a very lovely baby.
A beautiful daughter.
Say hello to your little girl.
Isn't she beautiful? Hello.
That's all the hard work over.
Now, we just have to wait for the placenta.
Nurse? Is everything all right? Look at her.
Now, wasn't she worth all that hard work? Aren't you? Aren't you just? ~ I thought I was going to lose her.
~ No.
Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
I'm going to have a thank you list as long as my arm.
I looked straight past you when you opened the door - ~ I shouldn't have.
~ Oh, it's no matter.
I've been struggling for a name for this little madam.
Everything I liked, I heard being yelled out in the street by somebody else's mother.
I want something special.
Like er Yours might do the trick as long as we drop the Joan.
I had an aunt called Joan - I couldn't stand her.
You're going to call the baby Monica? It is an honour .
.
unearned.
No, it ain't.
It goes lovely with her surname.
Don't it? Miss Monica Anne Bowe.
I was hoping the injection of Ergometrine would do the job, but the placenta doesn't seem to want to come.
What's happening in there? Is everything all right? Don't tell him it's a girl, not yet, please! I won't, I promise.
But I do need to speak to him, Susan.
~ You need to make a telephone call, Mr Robbins.
~ What's going on? Call Dr Turner and tell him that your wife has a retained placenta.
The ambulance will take you to the hospital, Mrs Robbins.
They'll take good care of you there.
She'll be all right, won't she? They'll give her a general anaesthetic.
Everything will be easier once she's there.
And the baby? Is it a boy? Tell me, what is it? You have a very beautiful baby daughter, Mr Robbins.
Frank, please Just look at her, at least.
Frank How could you turn your back on your own newborn daughter? Are you listening to me? Nurse Gilbert, I'm going to drive you home.
He can't treat his wife like that! You have had a long and exhausting day.
We can collect your bicycle in the morning.
There is nothing more for you to do here.
The London called, about booking in Mrs Robbins.
They told me that you and not Nurse Franklin were the nurse attending.
~ Sorry, Sister.
~ You didn't help the problem by hiding it.
There's no need for anyone else to know about this.
You look exhausted.
Go and get some rest.
I'll get Nurse Franklin into her bed.
From a grand total of ten deliveries, which I'm reliably informed is the most in one day since 1957 .
.
Sister Winifred delivered two.
I also delivered two - twins.
Sister Julienne and Nurse Mount only managed one each.
But an exhausting three babies, all girls, were brought into the world by Nurse Gilbert.
Oh, bravo! Not forgetting our very own Sister Monica Joan, who so ably assisted Mrs Turner.
~ Hurray! ~ Hurray! Although, I do seem to have forgotten Nurse Franklin.
~ Where's she disappeared to now? ~ She's upstairs, resting.
A little under the weather.
The way Mrs Turner tells the tale, all credit goes to you, Sister.
But now, it's time everyone went up to their beds.
Tomorrow is another day.
Thank you.
The perineum was intact and there was minimal blood loss.
But Patrick, I was so nervous.
I still can't believe I did it.
I can! You were always the most accomplished midwife at Nonnatus House.
~ Skills like that don't just vanish when you retire.
~ I suppose not.
It was as though everything I'd ever learned or known was there at the flick of a switch.
I sometimes think you're wasted as my receptionist.
No, I'm not.
When I let somebody else take over your office you were in utter chaos within weeks.
There are plenty of other midwives in the world.
But I only have one wife.
This, Angela, is them doing their mushy stuff.
You really need to get used to it.
I feel foolish and so selfish for what I did last night.
A few days ago, it felt like everything was in place.
I'm sure things are not as terrible as you might feel they are.
The wedding was all planned.
The Bishop was delighted with what Tom was doing.
Tom's a good committed man.
And what am I? Nurse Franklin, you make a great contribution to our work - one slip cannot alter that.
Perhaps he's right.
Perhaps I'd never make a good curate's wife.
I'd never had a row with him before about anything not really.
Felt like it was all starting to fall apart.
I had a drink.
Then I couldn't stop.
I used to hear my father telling the whole world he didn't have a problem with drink.
~ Have you spoken to Mr Hereward about this? ~ No.
Please.
He mustn't find out.
Are you sure that's how you want your marriage to begin - with a deception, a secret? He won't want to marry me if he found out.
What man would? Think very carefully.
A secret can be a very corrosive thing between a man and wife.
She's such a beautiful thing.
I can see she has Frank's eyes.
When she smiles, she's a Robbins, she really is.
Oh, he's driving me mad, him and his stupid promise.
Mr Robbins lost his father and two brothers in the war.
He made a promise to their memory that a son of his would carry on the family name.
He'll come round, Susan.
He's not even held her.
He's hardly even looked at her, his own daughter.
Mrs Robbins, it won't do your health any good to allow yourself to get so anxious about this.
I keep looking at the suitcase on the top of that wardrobe and I keep thinking, "Will I come home one day to find my "things are packed and him telling me he doesn't want to see her?" Of course he won't.
I can't apologise for the Bishop .
.
or his plans for a parish for me in Newcastle.
I know that, now.
Then, what? ~ You were right to say that I wouldn't make a good wife.
~ I didn't say that.
To be a curate's wife is a challenging thing.
I I wanted you to be sure.
And I'm not.
Tom .
.
the truth is, I can't live up to what you and the Church expect of me.
And so I can't keep the promise that this ring represents.
Trixie, what are you doing? Trixie Trixie! Bridget? ~ Is everything all right? ~ Oh.
Look at me.
I'm crying every time I look at her.
She's a beautiful little girl.
I'm glad to hear, so far, she seems healthy.
I am the luckiest mummy in the world, aren't I? And when this little girl grows up? Will she follow in the family business? Are you here to tell me off, or to check on my baby? I'm sorry.
I'm glad to hear your treatment's working, too.
I owe you a lot, Sister.
Thank you.
You could do something for me.
You could help stop what happened to you happening to the other girls.
I'm not so fond of paperwork either, Mr Robbins.
Doctor.
My wife send you? ~ Did she tell you I was being a terrible father? ~ No.
I came because I'm a father myself.
Good for you.
Any sons? One.
And I promised his mother, before she died, I would always keep him safe.
I'm sorry for your loss .
.
but this isn't your business.
Last year, he was almost taken from me by polio.
So, you see, I know a bit about family promises.
I've let my father down.
By your own measure, yes.
But do you really think your father would care more for the sign above this door than the happiness of your family? About his grandchild? I needed a son not a girl.
Times are changing, Mr Robbins.
There are women in Parliament, already.
By the time the two of us are in the ground, this world will be unrecognisable.
We have to be proud of our children and give them all the love we have.
Your daughter needs you.
Go to her.
Be a proud father to her.
That's your grandfather.
He taught me everything I know about cables, yarns and hawsers.
No rope, no Navy.
No Navy, no Empire.
My grandfather used to say that to me when I thought it was time to tell my daughter how important this place is .
.
for our family.
Big smile, and 'The longest nights are seldom seen approaching.
'The storms may not be heard until they break, 'like life itself.
'Challenges and change are there to be confronted '.
.
and we must weather them - alone or together, 'watching for the sunlight 'and waiting for the dawn.
' Hello.
Can I help? She doesn't speak English.
This is a happy day, Sister Mary Cynthia.
Welcome home.
I'm not sure it's a good idea, Patrick.
You're looking terribly tired as it is.
We can help with the birth and after - all free.
Oh, sorry, can you translate all that? Of course! It's like something you could see after a car accident, or some other great force, such as an assault.