Call the Midwife

This programme contains some scenes which some viewers may find upsetting

Loss, to a child, is often fleeting.

The grief and the missing are erased

as soon as the loved thing is returned.

The void is filled so simply and the joy is so complete

that only the reunion stays imprinted on the mind.

The picture is perfect once again,

as if the trouble never happened.

But a child's pain, when they feel it, is real and absolute,

and we must shelter them until their dark hours pass.

CHILDREN GIGGLE

Careful!

That was quite a tumble!

Are you all right?

Don't worry, Sister Veronica. We can sort this out.

Can't we, Deborah? We've got the first-aid tin...

..and the sweetie tin.

And they both make you better, don't they? Mm-hm.

So, which one are we going to open first?

That one! I thought you might say that!

Well, I wish the dinner ladies at my school had had

medicine like that, Mrs Robbins.

I'll see you both when I'm next in school.

Right, off you go and play before the bell.

SHE STRAINS

Can you hear it? That's a good, strong baby's heartbeat.

That's something to tell your friends about, isn't it?

And next time you come, there should be

a little brother or sister here to meet you.

SHE WINCES

They're getting closer together.

We'd better leave you to it, then. What about Kenny, love?

Shall I tell him you're here? He's probably got the right to know.

All right, yeah. Just, er, say you'll let him know

when the baby's been born. All right, darling.

Come on, you, come with Granny. Let's leave Mummy to it.

Shall we get you something to eat?

Me and Kenny separated a few months ago.

I did notice there was no-one down to be in the delivery room with you.

Yeah, well, he's the last person I'd want, truth be told, Nurse.

He's taken the right hump

cos I'm moving out to Stevenage, where my sister is.

Better off by myself.

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear it was another bad night.

Poor little Christopher. The night nurse was pacing with him for hours.

I hate to think of him being so distressed.

Chemotherapy must be making him feel terribly sick.

But this cycle is almost over,

and he'll be back home with you and the children.

We're certainly looking forward to it!

I have another case at the hospital this morning.

I'll pop in to see Christopher afterwards and let you know

how he is. Oh, thank you, Sister. Not at all, Mrs Turner.

GASPING BREATHS

That's it. Good lass. You can tell you've done this before.

That's the bit you try to forget about.

I know, but the body doesn't forget.

Hello, Pam? Oh, my God, that's Kenny!

Oh, I really don't want him in here. Ohh! Hello, Pam?

KNOCKING ON DOOR

Hello?!

PAM STRAINS

Sorry, Mr Shields, fathers aren't allowed in the delivery room

without the mother's express permission.

I was there for the last one. That may be true, lad,

but there've been some changes since then, haven't there?

It's my baby, too. Everyone just takes her side!

It isn't about sides, Mr Shields! This is a maternity home.

We have to put the needs and wishes of the labouring mother first,

because that is what is best for baby.

PAM CONTINUES GROANING

It's from my solicitor. He's received my decree nisi.

Oh, my goodness! So does this mean...?

It means in six weeks and a day from today,

I can apply for my decree absolute and I will officially be

a single man, free to do anything I choose,

even marry again if I want to!

If you meet the right person. If I meet the right person.

I suppose it must feel sad, too.

I know it's not what you would have wanted or expected.

You know, I thought it would be sad. I had a lot of hopes and dreams

when I married Lucille, and she was the one who wanted to divorce.

But now it's actually happening... it's more like...

..closing a book.

And I can think about the future.

SHE STRAINS

That's it. Push now. A good, strong one.

Good, lass. Keep pushing. The head is coming.

Well done! I have your baby's head in my hand.

We're so very nearly there.

I want you to give me one more, just like the last one.

PAM SCREAMS

You have a beautiful little boy, Pam,

born at exactly 22 minutes past two.

BABY CRIES

Has he...? Has he got ten fingers and ten toes? He certainly does.

Perfect.

Isn't he just!

Hello!

Looking good, Fred.

Hello, Edwin! Yeah, I'll take that as a compliment,

coming from a professional. Not any more. I retired from the park

last Thursday. Yeah, a man of leisure now, mate. Good for you.

You meeting Molly? Yeah. I thought I'd come down, surprise her,

take her for a Strawberry Mivvi, seeing as the weather's so nice.

You old romantic!

Got to keep the magic alive, Fred.

FRED CHUCKLES

BABY CRIES

Young master Colin Shields is ready for you now, Doctor.

Well, hello, Colin! Aren't you the handsome lad!

I am just going to do a little bit of checking and measuring for you.

I did notice that his eyes were a little red. I wondered

if there might be some infection present.

Yes, they are a bit. Mm. I'll take a swab.

Don't you worry, young man.

We will find out what it is and get it cleared up in no time.

You're awfully quiet, love.

Mm!

What's wrong? Is your back bothering you again?

It's not just the back, Ed.

The other thing happened again. The waterworks.

It was awful. And what if it happened when I was

serving the children or...or in the kitchen? I feel so...dirty.

If it carries on like this, I'm going to have to give up me job.

Love, if you want to give up your job, you give up your job.

But it ain't going to fix the problem! Only a doctor can do that,

and you need to make an appointment. No! It's too embarrassing.

SHE WINCES Oh, Molly, love!

You're getting more and more of these pains. Summat ain't right.

Don't fuss, Ed. It'll pass. I'll have an 'ot bath.

I have to admit, I am concerned.

Christopher gets upset so easily, and he's refusing to eat.

And, as you know, he is so very... fragile. This chemotherapy

is one of the toughest things you can put a two-year-old through.

He seemed to cope so well with the last cycle.

Do you think we need to speak to the consultant?

He's decided to conduct a treatment review.

And, obviously, as Christopher's guardians

in this country, he's asked for you both to attend.

May I? I can bathe his eyes,

and then I'll take him to the nursery so you can get some sleep.

You've had a busy day. Thank you, Sister. Yeah, I do feel shattered.

I mean, I don't remember it being so bad the last time.

I see he has a friend already.

Oh. Yeah, well, that teddy is Kenny all over.

All that fuss this morning, and he hasn't even been in

to see Colin now he's actually here. Oh...

Well done, little one.

I'm sure he'll come tomorrow.

Maybe.

It's no way to live, though, is it, never knowing what's what?

Would you like to come to a social work conference in York?

What an offer!

Well, not the conference itself, but it's on a Friday, and I thought

that maybe if you could get the weekend off, we could...

York is a city I've always wanted to see,

and I would like to see it with you.

Cyril...

..are you asking me to go away with you for the weekend?

Yes.

I am.

A whole weekend? In a hotel?

Yes.

Oh, my goodness!

If...If you don't want to, I understand. No! No, no.

I would love to.

Night-night.

It was under your bed!

Patrick, don't forget we're meeting with Christopher's consultant.

PHONE RINGS

Hello.

Dr Turner speaking.

Yes, of course. What's the patient's address?

Oh! Morning, Miss Higgins. Good morning, Sister Catherine.

BABY CRIES

Sounds like someone's ready for breakfast.

SHE WINCES

How long have you been getting these pains?

Oh, I don't know, Doctor. It comes and goes. But last night...

It's like being stabbed or something.

It's been at least since Christmas.

I suppose it has.

I thought it was just 30 years of lifting pots of spuds.

But it ain't, is it, Doctor? No, Mrs Robbins, I don't think it is.

I could feel something inside that was

harder than I would expect it to be. You mean a lump, don't you?

It could be any number of things, Mrs Robbins.

I know it's difficult, but please try not to jump to any conclusions.

Tell me, do you have any other symptoms?

For example, any urinary problems?

Have you ever experienced incontinence?

Yes.

TOILET FLUSHES

Mrs Shields?

Is baby Colin with you?

No. Why?

He isn't in the nursery.

Mrs Shields!

Mrs Shields!