Call the Midwife

'The world was shifting on its axis in 1961.

'Strides were being made,

'decisions taken, questions asked.

'It was as true at Nonnatus House as it was anywhere.'

'The world was turning faster, burning brighter.

'It was all we could do to keep pace, keep time,

'keep abreast of so much change.'

Sister!

- Whatever are you doing? - I'm cleaning the portrait

of Sister Hildegard with some bread.

Her anniversary's coming up, and I once read in a magazine

that this is the best way to freshen up an oil painting.

She was the first of our Sisters to come to Poplar.

It's so important that we remember her.

I missed her commemoration service last year,

so this is the first I've been to since I joined the Order.

It feels very special.

Bless you, Sister.

- Nurse! Nurse! - Good morning, Linda!

- You haven't been to Sadie's yet, have you, Nurse? - No.

- She's next on my list. - Would you take her these?

It's just a few cough candy twists.

- I was going to drop 'em in, but I'm running late! - Of course.

Oh, and tell her I'll pop in after my shift!

Your lips are moving. They're always moving, on the quiet.

Poetry, this time, or one of your plays?

"O! for a Muse of fire,

"that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention!"

It's from Henry V.

That the one with Sir Laurence Olivier?

It's the one by William Shakespeare, Mum.

I've fixed it, now don't keep taking it down to look at it all the time.

Postman'll be here soon.

He might walk past again, like he did yesterday and the day before.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Nurse calling!

Come through, angel.

Angel? I could get used to that.

- Hello, Nurse. - Hello!

Still, I suppose there is something rather celestial

about a person who comes bearing burns dressings

and a quarter of medicinal confectionery. - From Linda?

Yes. You picked a lovely girl there, Ian.

He never picked her, he hasn't got the common sense!

They picked each other, first day down the Mixed Infants.

Didn't you, son?

That's right.

MRS BULMER COUGHS

I really don't like the sound of that cough, Mrs Bulmer.

You've had it for three weeks now.

It's just dust off my Royal Collection.

I see he's fixed that picture of yours.

I should hope so, too. Her Majesty and me.

Her Majesty and a bit of your head, you mean!

She's a lovely lady. Her hat was exquisite.

Petal-covered cloche in navy silk organza.

It's a shame she wasn't standing by you when the hexane caught.

Then I'd be dressing royal burns, and not just yours.

Picture's my souvenir.

27 years I've done at Hayward's so far.

My husband did 30.

He got his long-service watch before he died.

Ian wears it now.

I got in, Mum! I got a place at Durham!

- At the University, to do English! - Oh, Ian, congratulations!

First in the street. Well done, son.

CHATTER

It's all right if I bring the boys in?

Of course. As long as they steer clear of Wendy House Corner.

We don't want another incident with the mangle.

Right, go on. You heard.

Take a seat, Mrs Cottingham.

We're just talking through

the differences between home and hospital delivery.

We try to give you as much information as we can.

I'm stopping at home.

Turn my back on my lot for ten days, I'll have no house to come back to.

My old man will have lost it in a card game,

or the kids'll have burnt it down!

Isn't there any visiting in the afternoons?

My Kevin's on permanent nights.

Rules are quite strict on maternity wards.

It helps get babies into a routine.

Many new mothers find this quite helpful,

though Baby would see rather more of his or her father

if you gave birth at home.

I want the gas, though. Proper gas, off a machine.

Someone told me if you have it at home,

they give you gas through the cooker,

and I think that's dangerous.

That would be very dangerous indeed!

Gas and air is completely different,

and the midwives bring the apparatus to your home.

What if something goes wrong? With the delivery?

- Is it your first, love? - Yeah.

You'll be all right with the Nonnatans. Won't she?

Dr Turner is never far away, and in an emergency,

you can get to the hospital very quickly.

- CHILDREN SHOUTING - Terrence!

You leave that little girl alone!

I do not want any more fingers in mangles!

Should've had them at the hospital and left 'em there!

LAUGHTER

Mr Hereward! Mr Hereward! I got into Durham!

- Yes! - Just like you - only English Lit, not Theology.

- Which college? - Castle. - I know it well.

Take a vest and a hot water bottle.

Oi, young man!

No leading my daughter astray now.

It's all right, Maurice.

I'll have her back in time to get you your dinner.

Thanks, Mr Hereward.

For the books, and for the train fare for the interview.

For everything, really.

Linda! Linda, guess what? I got in!

SHE SQUEALS

Good.

Baby's head-down,

so nicely poised to settle into your pelvis ready for delivery.

You really are a model patient, Mrs Cottingham.

Well, here's hoping I have a model baby.

And preferably one I can dress in pink

and don't have to yell at till I'm hoarse.

- Would you like a little girl this time? - Yeah.

I know I'm meant to say "I don't mind as long as it's healthy",

and I do love my boys.

But lads, Sister - they egg each other on.

Have you considered a hospital delivery,

so that you could have some rest?

Nah, I like my own bed and my own toilet.

Anthony! Put that iron down.

It's for using on clothes, not other children!

Help me down, Sister. Duty calls.

I wish I knew where you buy lassos.

Could keep one in me handbag.

Wait till you see the library I'll be studying in.

The cathedral, the river!

I like THIS river.

What was that poem you used to say to me?

The one about the lady and the mirror?

Willows whiten, aspens shiver

The sunbeam showers break and quiver

In the stream that runneth ever

By the island in the river

Flowing down to Camelot.

That was my favourite.

It isn't about the Thames, Linda.

My life isn't going to be about clocking in at the paintworks

day in, day out, like my mum and dad's.

I'm going to get us both right out of here.

When I get my degree, we can go where we like.

I don't know...

Well, if you don't know, Lin, I do.

"I do."

That's funny.

Why?

You said it accidentally.

And quite soon, I think you're going to be saying it for real.

This morning, I went to the doctors.

I'm in the family way.

Ian! Ian!

Look, you can run all you like, but it won't go away!

We love each other, don't we?

You said you loved me, when we did it.

And I meant it. I really did.

No calls this afternoon, Sister. I could've come to clinic after all.

I don't like to leave the telephone unmanned.

This is usually such a busy time of year.

PHONE RINGS

Nonnatus House, midwife speaking.

Yes, of course. She's here now.

Sister, it's the Matron of St Cuthbert's Hospital.

She asked to speak to you.

I'm entirely happy to deputise with regard to administration, Sister.

But, er, hospital routines are rather gruelling.

Are you sure you don't want to send one of the youngsters?

It's only for a week.

But I'm sure St Cuthbert's will provide a bath chair,

if I can't take the pace.

I'll thank you for the beetroot, Sister Winifred.

Sister Julienne, I really don't mind going.

I've never been seconded to St Cuthbert's,

and they've won prizes for their hygiene.

I volunteered my services for several reasons.

First, their need is great.

Second, my load here is lightest in terms of clinical work.

And third, I haven't worked in a hospital for almost ten years.

More and more women are choosing hospital deliveries.

I'm keen to see why.

I think you'll find that whatever the fol-de-rols,

babies come out in much the same way,

and they have done since Adam and Eve were in their birthday suits.

Sister Mary Cynthia, whilst I'm in the hospital,

would you be kind enough to draw up a plan

for Sister Hildegard's service?

It would be an honour, Sister.

But the child barely knows the woman's name.

Let alone recount her virtues, or recall her toil.

I thought this would be a chance for her to learn.

It will. If Sister Monica Joan will help me.