Call the Midwife

A birth begins a baby's life.

But it transforms the mother's.

There's twin number one.

Forever after she will say,

"It happened at that time. It took that long. It hurt that much.”

The event is unique...

...but the experience universal.

She is one more woman among uncounted others.

Every one profoundly different.

Every one the same.

Nigh on the plain, in many cells prepared.

That underneath had veins of liquid fire.

It is hot, isn't it? I don't care much for the heat either.

Will somebody please tell Nurse Corrigan to stop leaving

these eye-popping periodicals strewn all over the house.

Of course. O sun, to tell thee how I hate thy beams.

What's that from? I recognise that. Is that the Ancient Mariner?

Poor child. The heat must have addled thee.

We wouldn't be complaining if we were heading to Brighton beach.

But we're not.

It's the Poplar Pier for us, ladies. Time we were off.

Baby number two is on the way.

Good morning. Oh, it's Mrs Cawder, is it not?

Yvonne Cawder, that's right.

What time is your appointment?

I don't actually have an appointment.

I came to ask about my sister, Ivy.

She went into labour last night. She's having twins. Of course.

I'm delighted to tell you that Mrs Jepson

has just delivered baby number one, a boy,

and we await the arrival of the second.

Is anything wrong?

I don't believe so. Doctor expressed no undue concern.

Twins run in our family.

Mum had a few complications when me and Ivy were born.

Do you mind if I stay, just until the second one arrives?

Yes, of course.

Oh, perhaps you could peruse this information

while you await the good tidings.

The inaugural post-natal group is launching this afternoon.

All mothers with babies under eight weeks are invited

and there's no need to book.

Is it like a class?

Nurse Franklin assures me the purpose is "social and supportive”

and even that "fun" might be had.

Another boy.

Yesterday you didn't have any and now you have two.

I'm always game for a challenge!

Would you like them both?

Oh, yes, please.

Midwife calling. Enter, please.

Hello, I'm Sister Hilda.

I'm the midwife, from Nonnatus House.

I'm looking for Orli Rosen?

Forgive my manners.

If the skin dries out before I finish stretching it,

it will be ruined.

No. Please, carry on.

Did you make this beautiful coat?

Fox, is it? Yes.

Well, it's exquisite.

My wife, Orli, her grandfather taught me the trade.

Oh.

Come. I'll take you upstairs.

My first sons.

My first twins.

Well, sort of.

I have a proud auntie come to visit.

Ah, look who the cat's dragged in.

I shall leave you to get acquainted with your nephews.

Well done, Ivy.

I can't say it wasn't a slog.

But it was worth it.

They're beautiful.

And Jim's going to be over the moon.

Is he all right?

The smaller one.

Yvonne, why do you always find something to fret about? Not now.

Twins can be a bit Laurel and Hardy. One big, one small.

When we were born, Ivy was twice my size. For God's sake.

It can happen with twins apparently.

One takes all the nutrients,

the other one's left fighting for the scraps.

That's not what's happened here, I promise you.

It's not like one's swallowed the other.

There's barely a pound difference between them.

You heard her.

I'm afraid I have to be quite frank

and admit I'm a little hesitant to allow a home birth here.

Why? I've lived here all my life.

My business has been here more than 80 years.

Please, Zayde. Your own father was born here, in this flat.

May his memory be a blessing.

He passed away a few years ago.

Sammy's been running the business all by himself.

It's hard work, long hours.

It's the nature of the business that's giving me pause for thought.

Fur skin dressing counts as an "offensive industry”

and may concern the Board of Health.

We've waited a long, long time for this baby.

It means the world to us.

We just want things to be perfect.

Please. Sammy never brings any fur or skins upstairs.

He would not dare. Hmm?

Very well. If you promise me

you'll continue to keep the business completely separate...

...I will sign you off as suitable for home delivery.

I promise.

Are you feeling quite well, Mr Rosen?

He keeps having these attacks and he just won't see a doctor.

I'm fine.

It is the heat, caught me in my throat.

You must make an appointment at the surgery.

If you are ill, you could be putting a newborn baby at risk.

Reggie, I am a genius.

Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Not even Mum? Especially not Mum.

Right, very important job, Reg,

we've got to get these in the freezer as quickly as you can.

Hello and welcome. I'm Nurse Franklin. May I ask your name?

Yvonne Cawder.

And who's this little sweetheart?

Melanie.

Ladies, thank you all so much for coming.

And just to make sure you're in the right place

and weren't expecting Advanced French or anything like that,

this is a brand-new post-natal group.

An opportunity for new mothers to talk about their experiences

and hopefully make some new friends.

And eat some cake!

So, you will tell the sister that I am all right?

That I am not infected, yes?

I can hear some odd sounds in your chest.

It doesn't sound like asthma, you're not wheezing.

Have you coughed up any blood? No.

Have you experienced any weight loss recently?

I work long hours.

I don't always have time to eat.

Any night sweats?

I think the best thing to do

is to get you to St Cuthbert's for an X ray.

There are a couple of things we need to rule out,

including tuberculosis.

No.

No hospitals. No tests.

I've had tuberculosis.

I know what that feels like and it's not that.

You've had TB?

Well, there's nothing in your notes about it.

It was a long time ago.

Before I came to this country.

Which country did you come from? Poland.

What type of treatment did they give you?

I was a teenager. I did not ask questions.

Times change and treatments change, but TB can recur.

Let's get you seen at St Cuthbert's.

It's perfectly normal for nappies

to be a rainbow of colours in the early days.

And they should settle

into something more, shall we say, consistent.

The baby might be hungry, love.

She's always hungry. She ain't a boy, is she?

How is everyone getting on with their feeding?

Have you all managed to settle your babies

into the four hourly feeding routine?

My little Jason still has his days but, overall, we're doing all right.

Good.

Well, we're always available at Nonnatus House for advice,

if you're ever having any problems.

Hold still, please, Mr Rosen.

Mrs Cawder, would you be a sport

and help me put these chairs away, please?

Thank you.

Oh, I'm afraid that was all a bit raucous.

I'm sure it will settled down.

You never said how you were getting on with feeding?

I shouldn't complain. My sister Ivy's just had twin lads.

She's the one with her work cut out.

Of course. You're Ivy Jepson's sister.

You came into clinic together once or twice.

Aren't you twins, too?

We don't look it, but we are.

Mum always said I was the lazy one.

Ivy turned up first, walked first, talked first.

Ah, but the clever ones watch and learn.

How are you finding being a mum to Melanie?

Getting her into a feeding routine isn't easy.

Or any routine, in fact.

There's no rhyme nor reason for what she seems to want right now.

Some babies just take a little longer to settle, that's all.

It's still early days.

I could visit you at home if that might help... I don't need help.

Like you said, it's still early days.

The prayer meeting.

It completely slipped my mind.

Don't worry. I'm almost finished setting up.

And how was your day, Nurse Robinson?

Long and very hot.

All me want to do is lie up on the bed with me foot upon an ice pack.

One day we'll have a place that is ours and only ours, I promise you.