Call the Midwife

'A world was moving from a time of limits, of austerity,

'into one which promised endless reinvention.

'We could change the homes we lived in,

'and the clothes we wore.

'We could fly across the world, investigate new planets,

'begin to crack our own genetic code.

'But, no matter what science sought, our challenge remained the same --

'to accept what it meant to be human.

'To embrace our strengths, our weaknesses, our dreams.'

Walk, don't run.

Another letter from Hong Kong.

Don't you think you should open it?

And be late for clinic, incurring the wrath of Sister Ursula?

Have you lost your marbles, Busby?

- Two minutes, Pats, to read the letter. That's all. - In which time,

I could have taken a patient's temperature or blood pressure.

I spoke with the Mother House.

Sister Mary Cynthia recuperates well.

Oh, I had planned to telephone myself.

Now there's no need.

Shall we make this the last?

I beg your pardon?

None of us can truly spare the time for arranging them.

Don't you agree?

Sweeties!

Pink ticket, number 16, please. Mrs Reed.

We're coming, Nurse.

You go on, love. You've got work. I'll manage from here.

She's in good hands, Mr Reed.

Your pocket.

Unlike your sisters, I won't indulge you.

Bonbons. Now.

We don't appear to have your full notes. Where were you before?

We were Whitechapel, Nurse. Dr Treneman on Alderman Row.

And this is your first pregnancy?

It is. My only baby.

Let's see how baby's getting on. Cold hands, I'm afraid.

That's all feeling jolly good.

Now, let's have a listen to baby's heartbeat. Then blood pressure,

urine sample, and we'll book you in for a home visit.

Oh, I shan't be at home. I'm to go to St Cuthbert's for my caesarean.

We'll want to see you regularly now,

and, well, it'll save you the journey.

Never dared hope for such treatment.

I think perhaps because I'm smaller,

people think the hopes are not so great.

That's it, you're getting it now, just got to keep working it.

Imagine you're in the ring with Henry Cooper.

I'm picturing the rent man, Mum.

- Hello, love! - George!

I'll get flour all over you.

Ah, that's no worse than what's been on me today -- coal, grain and sugar.

It's a good one today.

Same tomorrow -- big ships coming in all week.

- Oh! - I did well with this one, didn't I, Mum?

You both done well.

Come on then, Mister. We're waiting for you.

But pregnancy for a woman with achondroplasia is quite risky.

How can Mrs Reed not be aware of that?

I don't know, Doctor.

But she's definitely been booked in for a caesarean so, well, someone

must have discussed the potential problems of a vaginal birth.

The size of the pelvis is an obvious one,

- but there are others, and she should be aware of them. - It's normally

wonderful seeing a mother brimming over with excitement.

In this case, it unsettles me.

Let me do a bit of digging.

Once we've seen the notes, we'll know what she knows,

and then we can work out the best way to help.

All right.

How's your father?

Pats, what did the letter say?

I haven't had the chance to read it.

- Then read it now. - I'm trying to sleep.

Besides, if I ignore it, then it might all go away.

Why do you always make light of everything?

I know what the letter will say -- "Come home."

And that will mean leaving you.

So, I'd prefer to leave it unread.

Mrs Reed's notes from Dr Treneman's surgery.

Thank you.

You look a bit better, Shelagh.

With luck, it will pass in a couple of weeks.

A year ago, I would have offered you Distaval.

A year ago, I would probably have taken it.

When I think about those poor babies born without arms or legs,

because of thalidomide...

I think about them every day.

But I think about this too, and how miraculous it is.

How lucky we are.

We ought to start telling people, really.

I'd want the children to know first.

Angela's too little to understand, but Timothy's a teenage boy.

He'll certainly understand!

Oh, Patrick!

Nonnatus House. Midwife speaking.

Sister Winifred -- Mrs Marsh is in labour.

I can't say this situation doesn't worry me.

And both parents are dwarves, so there's a high chance this baby will

be born with the same condition.

It could still be healthy.

- And it would be so loved. - I know.

And if the genetics work out differently,

it could actually be of normal size.

- Really? - Well, it's possible.

But it's also possible the baby will be stillborn,

or only live for hours.

And we have no way of knowing which way the dice will fall.

In which case, we must prepare Mrs Reed for every scenario.

Even the saddest.

I'll do that.

I have to.

But she's so happy!

The thought of anything going wrong will break her heart.

She already knows.

Her previous GP told her.

He also told her that she should terminate the pregnancy.

Here, Val! They're saying it's going to be today. The baby.

Make sure you pop by later, there'll be a drink on the bar for you.

All the luck to you, George.

Oh, Jessie, you're nearly there.

OK, Jessie.

Let's just take some slow breaths. Slow your breathing right down.

We're very close now.

Now, just one very gentle push, and we should see baby's head.

Perfect, absolutely perfect. And pant for me.

That's it, that's it.

Now another push for the shoulders.

I know you're exhausted, but I know you have the strength, Jessie.

Dig deep for it now and push for baby.

Well done! Well done! Baby's coming!

Ah, hear that, Jessie?

It's a little boy, Jessie.

Hello, my little one.

George and me agreed Bobby for a boy, after Dad.

George Marsh?

Are you ready for your smallpox vaccination?

Here, ain't you got something smaller?

Oh, George, don't be a baby.

Talking of which -- I hear your wife's in labour.

Ow! Here, that was crafty.

It's called distraction.

Off you go. And good luck to you and Jessie.

Arthur Pilbury?

Hello.

If you'd roll your sleeve up and relax your arm.

Mrs Reed, we have your notes from Dr Treneman.

We know you understand the risks associated with your pregnancy.

All I want is to be able to help with what may lie ahead.

I wanted this baby for so long.

No-one ever thought I'd be able to fall, never mind carry.

They were wrong, Nurse. Why can't they be wrong now?

I so very, very much hope that they are.

But I have a duty to care for you as much as for baby,

and part of that's trying to prepare you.

I can feel my baby.

He kicks and wriggles when we sing to him.

He's my little miracle, Nurse.

Don't ask me to give up, because I won't.

I can't.

Here, I got it, Arthur. You rest now.

I don't have the lungs for this game no more.

Oh!

Telephone for an ambulance and the fire brigade. Hurry!

Nurse, over here. Nurse, help this man.

Fetch fresh water and blankets.

We've only got the piped river water, Nurse.

I need clean water.

Go to the pub, fetch water. Fill the kegs. Hurry.

Well, don't just stand there -- go with him.

Valerie Dyer. I'm a nurse. Queen Alexandra's. Army Corps.

Tell me what you need.

We need to get these men away from the building

and check them for smoke damage and burns.

I need everyone away from the building!

All right, now, deep breaths, nice and easy. Let's get you sat down.

Come and sit down.

Pump. Get the water in there now.

Through the grates, through the doors, flood it.

Can't breathe.

It's the smoke. Try not to panic. Slow, deep breaths.

Arthur Pilbury and George Marsh -- they're still in there.

Oh, Lord, no.

I'm coming with you.

Look, the fire's only just out.

The bloody wiring must've caused this. It'll still be dangerous.

I'm coming with you.

So am I.

Here!

There!

HELP! HELP!

It's all right, George. We're here now.

It's Mrs Turner. I'm here with Miss Dyer.

You know me, George, Val from the pub.

Val. Val, what's happened to me?

Let him go now, George. Let me try to help Arthur.

Arthur? Arthur, can you hear me?

All right there, George. We'll get you out as soon as we can.

Me eyes. Me eyes, w... what's wrong with them?

Don't touch them, George.