All language subtitles for Call The Midwife.S3e02.eng

Our work was birth,

the primal act
of a woman's life.

A time fuelled by
instinct and by fear.

Trusting our instinct
can be what we fear most.

Our actions are ours alone

and we must suffer
their consequences.

Morning, Cyril. Doris
must be due any day now.

Ready for those sleepless nights again?
Bet you thought you were done with them.

What can I say?

Well, come on then,
lads, put your backs into it.

We've got another
load coming in at nine.

We've either done something
terribly wrong or terribly right.

Your new hairdo's probably
drawn complaints, far too racy.

It's modelled on Jean Seberg
in The Mouse that Roared.

Or we've had the record player up too
loud and Sister Evangelina's not happy.

Not enough jazz!

Come in!

We've had an awful
lot of change lately.

The move, our
new antenatal clinic.

Our royal visit announced us with
some fanfare and we're far busier now.

We need a figurehead.

Just to steady the
ship on clinic days.

And it feels right it
should be one of you.

All of you brim with
invaluable qualities.

Nurse Franklin, as our
most senior midwife...

I'd be absolutely thrilled!

You bring a reassuring
presence to the wider community

and I want you to
continue with that.

Nurse Miller, keep forging ahead
with our Mothercraft programme,

- for which you show such aptitude.
- Of course, Sister Julienne.

Nurse Lee,

you showed gumption, initiative

and organisation
during our move.

I'd like you to be our
acting sister on clinic days.

I don't quite know what to say.

That you can start with
clinic this afternoon?

It would have been nice to have
been considered, that's all I'm saying.

"A reassuring presence
in the wider community."

Makes me sound
like a drinking fountain.

Or a lamppost. Perfectly vital.

Oh! Look at you, Sister Lee.

- Isn't it "acting" sister?
- "Sister" will do perfectly well.

- We're going to be busy.
- Full steam ahead.

- Good afternoon, ladies. Do come in.
- Oh, nice hat, Nurse.

Hello.

Mrs Aston? Dr Turner's ready
for you. The cubicle at this end.

Watch it!

We're low on iodine.
Would you mind restocking?

Oh, and an inventory of the
cupboard would be useful.

We should know exactly
what we have at all times.

It's going to be a
tight ship from now on.

I rather preferred
the loose one.

Mrs Short? Midwife will see you.

How are you sleeping?

Thomas says I turn like a
mangle, but that's just 'cause

there's still so much to
do. So much to be ready.

It's round the corner and
we still ain't got a potty.

Mrs Short, baby won't
need a potty for a while yet.

I keep telling him, "It's not
going to happen by magic."

It's him and me.

It's us.

I keep telling him that but he
just don't seem that bothered.

Perhaps because he thinks
you'll make a very good mother.

My mum always
said I'd be a natural.

But how can you be, though?

Something as important as this,
something you've never even done before?

Your mother knows
you better than anyone.

Trust her, Mrs Short.

Look up, look up.

They say that if you look
up it stops you from crying.

I lost Mum.

Five months now.

Only feels like yesterday.

She said she was
going to be there with me.

And help me.

But she's not.

And I'm all at sea, Nurse.

You're with us now.

We'll look after you.

We need to be careful
of anaemia, Mrs Aston.

And you need to slow down.

- There's not long to go now.
- Cutting hair keeps me sane.

I can't lose my regulars. Took
years to build up customers.

Men wouldn't go
near a woman cutter.

Just like women wouldn't trust a
man with their hair till Vidal Sassoon.

You'll be feeding for
several months, Mrs Aston.

- It won't be possible to return to work.
- Well, as soon as it is, then.

She doesn't seem to realise
she's about to have a baby.

A little complacency is
natural, this is her fourth child.

But we need to make sure
she's properly prepared at home.

Of course, Doctor.

I have numerous cupboards at
home in want of not just a stock-take

but a good old sort. Volunteers
will be fed and watered.

Tell me your cupboards are on
the Riviera and I'll be there in a trice.

It's peculiar, isn't it?

We can be so very organised in
our work yet so chaotic in our lives.

I found a pair of Freddie's
booties in the larder this morning.

It's only a matter of
time before I start using

Peter's police helmet
as a coal scuttle.

If you need help, please ask.

We seem to have a
surfeit of olive oil, at least.

Chummy!

- One feels one should be able to manage.
- You do.

Besides, you promised all
volunteers would be fed and watered.

I'm in it purely for the cakes.

You checking up on me or
something? I only saw you this morning.

Sorry, Mrs Aston. I should
have given you our delivery pack.

It's important it's kept
clean, dry and close at hand.

Shall I take it through
to the bedroom?

- Never let up, do they?
- It's quite all right.

Oi! Leave the
Nurse's bike alone.

We have a collection
of items at Nonnatus.

To help with the baby,
should you need anything.

A pram, perhaps? Or a cot?

I'm all right, ta.

You're very close now, Mrs Aston.
You need to be ready for baby.

I said I'm all right, Nurse.

- If there's anything...
- I'd see Miss Franklin, wouldn't I?

We get on, her and me.

I hope you feel you
could see any of us.

We all want what's
best for our patients.

I dyed her hair the first
time. Miss Franklin, I mean.

Walked in as a mouse,
left as Jean Harlow.

- And she swears she's a natural blonde.
- That's how good I am, Nurse.

Yes, and I love her new hairdo.

Don't be worrying about
me, I've had three already.

I don't need no looking after.

Very glamorous for a lecture.

You never know who you'll meet.

Dusty old academics
and midwives like us.

It's a talk about childbirth.

Oh, we'd nearly given up on you.
If we hurry we should still make it.

The transformative powers of
silk. Day to night, in an instant.

You can thank me
later with a Babycham.

Come on, Sister Lee. Time
to take your work hat off.

And put your heels on.

I'm supposed to be seeing Alec.

You can blame us.

Oh!

I'm sorry. He wants
to toast my promotion

and he'll have
already left work.

It doesn't matter.
There's plenty of us going.

You were lending it to me.

To be presentable for a lecture.

Not lounging around
in some den of iniquity.

I hardly think a port and lemon

in the Hand and Shears
is cause for concern.

Besides, it goes
with my lipstick.

Have fun. And see you later.

I hope the baby's not a brother.
'Cause they just punch you.

Hold still, Larry.

But if the baby's a sister,

they don't like pear drops
so you can eat 'em all.

And George Hewitt
says they smell like Lux.

Ain't you tired yet?

Be a sister, be a
sister, be a sister.

- Please.
- Enough now, Larry.

Come on, lads, stop
jumping on the bed, come on.

Look what your old
man's got for you. Eh?

There you go! Go on, then,
take 'em outside, go and play.

Look after the little 'un.

I thought haircuts
was next month.

How many did you do today, then?

Er, five trims and a shave.

You know no other bird
goes round cutting blokes' hair.

You're making a joke out
of me down at the docks.

Sit down.

Talk to me.

- About what?
- I dunno. Small talk.

Cyril, I ain't got
no small talk.

What'd you talk to that lot
about this morning, then?

That's nothing, that's just...

Small talk.

What was fascinating in these regions
was the absence of pain during labour.

Primarily because these
women did not expect it.

They gave birth without fear.

Compare this to our
experience of childbirth.

A time of pain and fear,

when a mother's
instinct is dwarfed

by a well-meaning but
patriarchal medical profession,

over-reliant on mechanics
and pain relieving drugs.

Will someone tell
that man to pipe down?

It's impossible to
concentrate. Who is he?

He's Dr Latham.

He's carrying on the
work of Grantly Dick-Read.

Trying to make
birth less frightening.

Tightening of the
uterine muscles.

Tally ho! Catch him
before he goes to ground.

Tension directly
affects delivery,

causing pain and trauma
to both mother and child.

And, dare I say it,
their future bond.

Let us leave the knitting
for the duration of the lecture.

Women's suffering is
not confined to birth alone.

I hope you have a
solution for that as well.

There will be time for
questions at the end.

I should much
prefer a lemon puff.

You seem different.

- Oh?
- Mmm. More authoritative.

More commanding.

The way you took
control of those crisps.

Almost as if you've
had a promotion.

I'm hoping you've laid
on dancing till midnight

and a carriage of white horses
home? It's the least I expect now.

I'd hate to disappoint you.

Just need to get rid of Bill
and Ben, the disarmament men.

We're joining the march.

What march? Alec,
this is our evening.

Oh, no, ten minutes. I promise.

Must have covered half of
London. I could murder a pint.

And some pork scratchings.

Students.

Jenny, meet Bill
Corbin and Ben Myles.

Two young men that
want to change the world,

without ever buying a drink.

Boys, I believe I may have mentioned
this young woman to you before?

Only every day.

- So, what kind of march?
- The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

We're banning the bomb.

We're running low but
you're welcome to have it.

Oh, I couldn't
possibly deprive you.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

Dr Latham, I have a
very anxious primigravida

who recently lost
her own mother.

I think the idea of giving birth
without her is overwhelming.

Well, I can see your concern.

A crisis of confidence at a time
mythologised as one of strength,

especially in a matriarchal
society like the East End.

Ah! The heckler.

That wasn't heckling or you'd
be lying down with a stiff gin.

- The nerve of this plagiarist!
- Lemon puff?

- I don't follow.
- We become mad and delirious

and fears and terrors assail us.

All these things we
endure from the brain.

Hippocrates.

Two and a half thousand
years before you!

Approximately.

Dr Latham, we offer Mothercraft
sessions at our antenatal clinic.

Would you consider discussing
your ideas on fear and birth?

I'd be honoured. The
East End fascinates me.

It seems to exist in a
world outside of itself.

Preserved, if you like.

I think it's called "poverty".

The boys literally don't
have a home to go to.

There's about ten of them
sharing a bunk in Whitechapel.

And I'm pretty sure
supper involves the bread

that the park ducks didn't eat.

You know, I think they
rather look up to me.

Which I'm sure you
struggle with terribly.

Alec, I'm tired.

Your friends are
perfectly sweet but...

I gave up tonight with my friends
because I wanted to see you,

to spend time together.

A few months ago, I'd have
spent night after night orchestrating

our part in this march.

I build things, I don't want
to see them destroyed.

And now I'm having
to make myself care.

Truth is...

that's all gone out the window.

All I care about is you.

- It's maddening.
- Do stop talking.

Where's my carriage
of white horses?

Well, I had a plan B. Unicorns.

But they're proving
unreliable, too.

- Mythic creatures always are.
- Aren't they?

Look after yourselves.

All right, off you go.

Bye, Mum.

Dr Latham calls it
nature's painkiller.

Our breathing regulates our emotions
and that follows through to birth.

- Hello!
- Morning!

The blood test results
are back from the London.

Doctor Turner's seen them

and asks if you'd pass on
the good news to Mrs Aston.

Of course, thank you.

Oh, Sister Winifred will take your
patients when Dr Latham visits.

How are preparations going?

He needs certain items for his
class, Fred's collecting those.

I just hope everyone finds
it as fascinating as I do.

He's fitting us in
before he goes to Paris.

- And then he's off to America.
- New York, Paris, Poplar.

- Not exactly a natural grouping.
- We'll mention it to all our patients.

First on the list
should be Doris Aston.

There's something
very unsettled about her.

She'd be a lot more relaxed if
her husband wasn't such a bully.

A bully?

Oh, jealous of any man that
looks at her. Hates that she works.

I possibly shouldn't say but Peter's
had a few contretemps with him.

I believe one would
certainly call him hot-headed.

Well, I wish you'd said. It might
explain why she seems so detached.

Well, you didn't think to ask.
You were too busy being bossy.

If you call trying to do
my job being bossy...

If the cap fits.

Perhaps everyone should sign up.

Mrs Aston?

Mrs Aston, there you are.

Good news on your blood test.

The anaemia's under
control and your blood count's

- a healthy 11.5 grams.
- Sorry, Nurse, I'm in a hurry.

- I got customers waiting.
- Let me help you.

Ooh, what have you got
in there? The kitchen sink?

- Just leave me be.
- Doris, what's the matter?

I've got to go away for a little bit.
Just down to Brighton for a while.

Doris, what are you doing?

I needed that. I got to go.

You don't understand.
He'll finish me off.

- Has something happened?
- I can't have it here.

Come to the maternity home.

It ain't his.

I shouldn't be here.

It's very kind of you but...

Mrs Aston, we want
to be able to help you.

Well, you can't.

How can you be so sure about your
husband? That he's not the father?

I know. It's once
in a blue moon.

And then we... We use a rubber.

I told him it must've
leaked. I ain't proud of it.

What were you going to
do when you got to Brighton?

Leave the baby.

Leave him somewhere
he'd have nice people,

the life I can't give him.

He'd kill me if I went
with any other fella.

Forgive me, Mrs Aston,

but unless you tell him,
how would he know?

He wouldn't be the first man to
raise a child who was not his own.

It ain't that simple.

I'm not saying it's easy, but in the
long run it may save a lot of pain.

There's no reason why your
husband wouldn't love this child as...

It's coloured.

I can't hide it.

And he won't grow to
love it. Now do you see?

What about the father?
Can you talk to him?

It weren't no love story, Nurse.

God knows what
you must think of me.

My husband can't
ever see this baby.

I can't keep it.

We can find you a
safe place to give birth.

And if you mean adoption,
we can help with arrangements.

But you must be very
sure about this decision.

It's two lives.

One with my family
and another with...

I missed the hot water. Again.

Ice does wonders
for the complexion.

I just wanted a soak in the tub.

It's been such a day.

- Trixie?
- Hmm?

The hot water's
such a bore, isn't it?

No, I meant the day.
It's been terribly difficult.

- Trixie, I'm trying to talk to you.
- Hmm?

Yes, sorry, I'm
utterly lost in this.

Well, I suppose with great
responsibility comes great sacrifice.

Shoulders back and all that.

This smell always
reminds me of home.

My mother was a
formidable rose grower.

Why is it the English are
so very good with plants

and so very poor with people?

That's a little harsh, Sister.

Especially as this
is a Peace Rose.

I remember my mother telling
me about the day it was named.

The same day Berlin fell.

The greatest new
rose of our time

must be named for the
world's greatest desire...

peace.

And yet here we are
with a greater threat,

the atomic demon.

"And there followed

hail and fire
mingled with blood...

and they were cast
upon the earth...

and the third part of
trees was burnt up."

I've always skimmed Revelation.

Find it rather grim.

I simply hoped to bring
us a little closer to nature.

Well, you are.

And we are in need of it.

I mustered as many as I could
from the charity box at Nonnatus.

I've got Dr Latham's
accoutrements.

Very grand.

What are you doing
with all this stuff, anyway?

The art of relaxation.

It's not for the
unwary chap, Fred.

Or come to think
of it, chaps at all.

Ignore her. Thank you.

Oh, how charming. We could
start having knitting at Mothercraft.

One can never
have enough knitting.

On second thoughts,
perhaps one can.

I don't think this little chap's
quite ready for the world.

Oh! I must say,

this relaxation lark
is absolutely top hole.

- She'll think the worst of me.
- Don't be nervous.

Miss Ellaby's job as
moral welfare worker

is to place baby with a family who
can provide the life you want for him.

Miss Ellaby. Nurse
Lee, Mrs Aston.

By the look of things we should
proceed as swiftly as we are able.

At the Church of England
Infant Society, we advise

a six-week placement in one
of our Mother and Baby homes.

I understand this
will not be possible?

Mrs Aston needs to return to
her family as soon as she is able.

You are aware that children of
mixed blood are more difficult to place?

We will collect from the Cottage
Hospital in Burnham-on-Crouch,

where we've managed
to book Mrs Aston in.

Where do they take the baby?

Miss Ellaby, what arrangements
do you make from there?

The child will be fostered
until suitable parents are found.

It never ceases
to lift the soul,

the type of parents willing to
take on abandoned children.

I'm not abandoning my baby.

I don't have a choice, Miss.

Isn't it more a case of
consequences, Mrs Aston?

So much less palatable than
the actions that led to them.

Then let us be grateful
we are not faced with them.

And let us feel compassion
for those who are.

We cover all of Poplar.

And the new clinic means we can
provide better care to more women.

Exactly what the National
Health should stand for.

Good people doing good work.

Mrs Short? This is Dr Latham.

Mrs Short is the young woman
I mentioned when we first met.

Ah!

I don't think I quite
have the time today.

I'll come back,
perhaps next time?

We may have a lot to thank you
for, Mrs Short. Shall we begin?

Blankets and pillows? I
should have brought me nightie.

I should have
brought me old man.

Good morning, ladies.

It is lovely to see
so many of you here.

We are pleased to
welcome Dr Latham.

Thank you, thank
you. Glad to be here.

I hope to show you that our emotions
link directly to our physical being.

A peaceful mind
is a peaceful body.

And thus to a peaceful birth.

Birth, the great unmentionable.

But I want to know your
experiences and concerns.

How women truly think
and feel is vital to my work.

Now...

this is your body.

It's not a miracle
that you perform.

It's medical.

You take away the mystery,
you take away the fear.

What will you tell your husband?

That I'm not well.

The anaemia, I need to go
somewhere I can be looked after.

And when you come
home without the baby?

That I lost it.

How can it hurt so much already?

It was the shock with my first. I
mean, no one tells you, do they?

Your body's never the same. I
had forceps, that was a shock.

If you'd been more relaxed,
you'd been less afraid.

All that oxygen going to your
muscles helps them to stretch.

When I saw the forceps I couldn't
believe they was going inside me.

Ugh!

And that reaction, that shudder,

is what happens to your cervix.

It tenses, holds on to baby.

Afraid to deliver it into a
world that doesn't feel safe.

It's a powerful
instinct at work.

But we don't let it flourish.

Nor do we replace
it with information.

Knowledge is power, ladies.

Um, what are forceps?

You'll know about
'em if you need 'em.

Think of medieval torture
and you're halfway there.

Most births are completely normal.
Very few require forceps, Mrs Short.

Well, my mum said having me
was no more trouble than sneezing.

Well, your mother
allowed nature to take over.

Remember that
when your time comes.

Right! Shall we break for tea?

Doris is giving her baby up for
adoption. Why didn't you tell me?

It's been so quick.

There's been time
to tell Sister Julienne,

to get the adoption
agency involved.

I saw the woman leaving.

Jenny, this is an enormously
hard situation to deal with alone.

I'm your friend!

- You would have confided in me before.
- And I wanted to.

But you've had such a bee in your
bonnet about this wretched promotion.

Doris has to give up her
baby because it's black.

I could have helped you.

I've been through this with
Ted and Winnie Lawson.

Can you really compare
Ted with Cyril Aston?

How you and I
feel doesn't matter.

It's called a Peace Rose.

Though one feels it has yet
to fully realise its properties.

Nurse Miller, you mentioned
that you'd read my book?

- I think I know it word for word.
- Good.

Because you are going
to lead the relaxation class.

- But they've come to see you.
- Because you persuaded them.

Because they trust
you. And I've no magic.

This is all about
instinct. Trust yours.

Well, ladies, if
you're comfortable,

then we'll begin.

Lie back.

Place your hands
gently on your stomach.

Close your eyes.

Feel your face relax
and breathe deeply,

right into the bottom of your
lungs. Feel your chest rising.

Not in this girdle.

Let go of all your worries.

Let go of the cleaning,
tomorrow's dinner, the washing.

There's no carrying
shopping here. Just...

breathing and relaxing each
muscle, the face, the neck.

Relax your shoulders
as you exhale, Mrs Short.

Be aware of your ribs moving
down as you breathe out.

And in.

And out.

We got company?

I gotta go away for a
little while tomorrow.

I gotta be in a special hospital
for the baby, 'cause of the anaemia.

What are you on about?
What's wrong with you?

I told you, the anaemia,
makes things difficult.

How come you never
said nothing before?

Well, I didn't
want to worry you.

Where you going?

Out Essex way, in the
country. For the air and that.

I can't take no time off of work.
Who's going to look after the kids?

Well, I done you a
stew, Mum'll be staying.

That's the cherry
on the top, that is.

Won't be for long, Cyril.
And I'm gonna be better.

That's what matters, isn't it?

- Goodbye.
- Thank you.

- Thank you so much for coming.
- Thank you.

Try and find time
each night to practise.

You'll sleep better and the
exercises will become second nature.

I want that, Miss.
More than anything.

Your patients are in good hands.

I can't thank you
enough for coming.

The fact that you asked
me in the first place

gives me every
hope for the future.

I shall keep in touch.

I should like to see how you
take on the world, Nurse Miller.

When you've finished
huffing and puffing,

we expect every
pillow and blanket

returned in the
condition it left Nonnatus.

And if you're suggesting
that a few deep breaths

and not thinking about what's
for dinner is all there is to labour,

you are leading your
patients up the fairy way.

Told you there
was nothing to it.

Do you mind?

I'm entering a meditative state.

I hope you don't
need a passport.

Vroom!

- See you after your holiday, then.
- Ain't no holiday.

Larry? Larry, love?

Now, I need you
to be a big boy...

Larry, I need you to take
the other boys to school.

Doris Aston is in labour.

I don't think we'll have time to
move her to Burnham-on-Crouch.

It's her fourth child, there's a
good chance labour will be swift.

I'll speak to Miss Ellaby,
bring forward arrangements.

You go to Doris.

There's no pain like the
separation of mother and child.

You'll need all your
strength for Doris.

You gotta get me away, I
can't have it here, I can't.

I'm afraid you're going to have
to. There's no time to move you

and baby wants to come.

Doris, look at me.
I'm here, all right?

That's it. That's it! Good.

Push for me. Push for me, That's it!
Good! Keep that going, keep that going!

Keep it going, Doris. Good,
good girl! That's really good!

And now I want you to
slow down and pant. Pant!

That's it. Good. Good. Slowly,
gently. All right. Good girl!

Good girl!

The head's delivered, Doris.

I want my baby.

You're doing wonderfully, Doris.

One more push for me, all right?

That's it, you can
feel that. Good, good.

Good.

It's a girl.

My daughter.

Oh! Her fingernails is white.

I'm going to have
to call Dr Turner.

You've torn, only a little
but I do need him here.

- When does your husband get home?
- Not till evening.

Sister Julienne is
speaking to Miss Ellaby.

The adoption has to
be brought forward.

Do you understand
what that means, Doris?

Yes.

It means I've
got till they come.

Nurse Miller!

Mrs Short's gone into labour
and according to her husband,

"She must have Nurse Miller."

Get your coat and bag.
I'll meet you at the bicycles.

I'll never forget you.

Never!

My beautiful girl.

Remember me.

That'll be Dr Turner.

Mr Aston.

- You've had it?
- What are you doing here?

You shouldn't be here.

I had this feeling. I... I
needed to come back.

I was scared for you.

I wanted to tell you. I
did. I wanted to tell you.

Tell me?

What are you on about?

- Cyril, please don't do nothing stupid.
- Please come away now, Mr Aston.

What's the matter with you both?
There's something wrong with it?

Why won't you let me see?

Mr Aston, your...
Your wife needs to rest.

It was once.

Just once. I swear, I...

never looked at
another man before him.

Please, let's go outside.

You whore.

You whore!

- My baby.
- Please, Mr Aston!

- You went with another man, you bitch.
- I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Cyril.

I'm trying to make it right.

My wife!

With a coloured bastard...

- She's mine. She's mine.
- Yeah, well it ain't mine.

You leave her alone this instant. Now
you go somewhere and you cool off.

- Do you hear me?
- Cool off?

Calm down.

Because I will call
the police, Mr Aston.

Be in no doubt about that.

Get rid of it...

or I swear I will.

So soon?

She's only just
recovering from the birth.

And what if Mr Aston
should come back tonight?

We can't take that risk.

Shelagh and I will
look after the baby

until Miss Ellaby can
secure foster parents.

I don't want to take her baby.

Nobody wants this.

But we have to make
sure baby is safe.

And she isn't safe here.

If you can't, I will.

Doris?

I'm so very sorry but it's time.

Carole.

She looks like a
Carole, don't she?

She's very beautiful.

Doctor Turner and his wife...

they'll shelter Carole tonight.

Until Miss Ellaby can
make arrangements.

I need to move Carole
to where she can be safe.

Home straights now, Nellie.
Just going to examine you.

Don't push, Nellie.

Nurse Miller, what is it?

The baby's OP and we're
only two fingers dilated.

The pain, Nurse.
Something's wrong, isn't it?

Baby's in a different
position, Nellie.

That's why you're
feeling the urge to push.

He's pressing on
your back passage.

But you can't push, not yet.

Oh, what does that mean?

Not the forceps? Please
promise me, Nurse.

I don't want no
interference. Promise me.

We'll do all we can to avoid it.

Nurse?

Don't make promises
you can't keep.

That's the trouble with a little
knowledge, it's a dangerous thing.

We need to get her
into the maternity home.

I want my mum! She
promised she'd be here for me.

Nellie, we're with you.

Surely we can try and help Nellie
give birth the way she wants to?

But she's not doing anything
without 100 milligrams of Pethidine.

And if I sense one hint of
risk, we're calling Dr Turner.

Shhh. Now, close
your eyes, Nellie.

I'll draw the curtains to
make the room more peaceful.

Take that deep breath and
feel it moving through you.

Now, come on. With me.

Out and in and out.

And in.

And out...

That's it.

Surely not, it couldn't be,
but that did look like a smile.

You know it's probably wind.

Ooh! Now, that was a smile.

For me, definitely for me.

I've held so many babies,
helped them with their first breath,

put them in their mother's arms.

I want the next baby I hold to be
ours. I don't want to let go any more.

You're giving away Cuthbert?
You've had him since you were born.

I want Carole to have
him. She can look after him.

- I'm too old for him now.
- I wasn't going to say anything.

Couldn't she stay?

There's a family out there
who don't have any children.

They're waiting for her.

She's going to make such
a difference to their lives.

But what about our lives?

Oh, I think we're
going to be all right.

She hasn't got the strength
she'll need to get this baby out.

It's been seven hours and
she's still not fully dilated.

- This is not right.
- Sister, just a little more time.

Her mind is calm and her
body will start to relax, too.

I won't take risks
with mother or child.

Neither will I.

Feel your chest relaxing and
the oxygen coming to your womb.

- Give me strength.
- Just need to see how you're doing.

Fully dilated.

All right, now, Nellie.
We need you up,

because of the position of
baby and we need you to push.

You said not to.

Now you need to give
it some oomph, my girl.

And it helps if you
pull against something.

And that something
is me. Yes, come on!

Nanna says we
mustn't say nothing.

Is she in heaven, Mum?

Larry, give me a cuddle, please.

One day we'll get a
sister, won't we, Mum?

Think of each contraction
as your womb taking a breath.

Breathing your baby down
towards the birth canal.

We're nearly there, Nellie.

Just keep going. Come on, now.

This goes on much longer,
she'll be past the point of pushing.

Nellie! Nellie? What would
your mother tell you to do?

That's it. That's it!

Big push!

Right, now pant, now,
Nellie. Pant, pant, pant.

- Head is born.
- Sunny side up.

All right, now, Nellie.
Now, one more big push.

It's a boy.

You wanted to see the world
straightaway, didn't you, little one?

Because you're brave,
just like your mum.

You did it, Nellie.

Well done.

Oh! Oh!

Thank you...

for everything.

I love you, Mum.

Oh! I never thought I'd say this
but I'm glad you didn't listen to me.

You should be proud
of yourself, Nurse Miller.

You did it your own way, a
new way, and you were right to.

Thank you.

Oh, I shall sleep well tonight.

In... And out.

And in...

Any tenderness?

Anything?

Everything's normal, Doris.

I brought you some Epsom Salts.

To help dry up your
milk, when it comes.

Milk's all I got to
remember her by.

Will you help me?

Of course I will.

She's got nothing
to remember me by.

I'm her mother but...

she's never gonna know that.

So, I wrote a letter.

Will you take it to her?

On one piece of paper,
Doris crammed the love

she hoped would last a lifetime.

All that she would miss,

the first tooth,

the first day of school,

the talks they would have had.

The love they would have shared.

She trusted in God

that Carole would
have a good life,

with good people who would give
her daughter the future she couldn't.

More than anything, she
wished she could have kept her.

Because whatever anyone else
might feel, it couldn't be what Doris felt.

Her daughter was
of and from her.

They were a part of each
other and always would be.

How is Mrs Aston?

Not good.

I can't let go of her.

I don't know how
her mother could.

As speedy and
painless as possible.

Paperwork, as always,
is a necessary evil.

And then we may all
go about our business.

We've secured good parents.

A couple from Durham.

He's a lecturer
at the university.

The child will want for nothing.

Goodbye, little one.

God bless you.

Miss Ellaby, I have a letter
from Mrs Aston to her daughter,

for when she's old
enough to understand.

She wants to make it clear it
was circumstances, not lack of love.

I'm sorry, Sister Lee.

In this case the parents
request no onward contact.

We will take the
letter and keep it safe.

If Carole searches
for her mother one day,

hopefully records
will bring her to us.

Miss Ellaby spoke of "the parents" as
if Doris had no link at all with her baby.

When I was a child, I would
write to Father Christmas.

I would put down my many wants.

Mostly chocolate and cake.

My father would send
the letter up the chimney

and as far as I was aware, into
the hands of Father Christmas.

I'm not sure I follow.

With the greatest respect,
Sister Monica Joan,

you can't compare this letter
to your note to Santa Claus.

I think what Sister is
saying is that sometimes

the act of letter writing is as
important as the receipt of the letter.

Tell Doris we will take care
of what she has needed to say.

And if Carole needs to hear
those words, she will find us.

So you're back.

It's gone, then?

She.

Not it.

Blame me, Cyril. I
cheated. I done this.

Hate me and I wouldn't
blame you. But not her.

Are any of 'em mine?

You know they are.

Could you rinse it
again? It's got egg on it.

I'm sorry, I'm doing
it again, aren't I?

Look, I don't mean to be bossy.
I'm just trying to do my best.

You're doing brilliantly, Jenny.

I couldn't have gone through
what you did with Doris.

You could.

We all could.

Because it's not
about us, is it?

Mother and baby first.

Always.

But don't underestimate
yourself, "Sister".

Even if you do wear
that ridiculous hat.

At least I don't pretend
to be a natural blonde.

No pretence, I can assure you.

My mother said I
was born with a halo.

Doris must be confused, she
was sure she dyed your hair.

Outrageous.

Change your mind?

Come and march for peace.

I'm afraid my mind
is completely my own.

- And what about your heart?
- I think I'd like to share that.

- Shouldn't it be me giving you flowers?
- Well, now that you mention it.

It's a Peace Rose. My
contribution to your march.

I know, I know. Now
you have your work to do.

My work and my vocation.

Are you planning on
going back to your work?

Doris, you have to
stop punishing yourself.

You have three other
children who depend on you.

You can't hide forever.

- Just to the shop and back.
- I can't. I ain't ready.

And you won't be ready
tomorrow or the day after

but this is your home, Doris.

Where your children go to
school, where your friends are

and where you will work again.

Penny sweets, Mum?

Doris, how are you?

- Nurse.
- I'm fine, Lizzie. Thanks for asking.

Well what did you
have, then? Boy or girl?

And where is it?
Where's the baby?

I, um...

- It's been quite...
- No one's even heard a cry.

Lucky you, I say.

Mrs Aston's had
a rather difficult...

No baby.

No baby.

Excuse me.

The beginning of life drove
us to be strong throughout it

and to accept the consequences
our actions brought us.

In those acts of instinct and
courage, we found a freedom

and it made us bold.

It made us believe we
could change the world.

And in our own
small ways, we did.

Nurse Noakes's birthday present.

My Fair Lady, Drury
lane, Saturday night.

You needn't come if it
isn't manly enough for you.

I'd come to a meeting at the
WI if you were going to be there.

Well, I dare say it would
be quite fascinating

to be surrounded by
hardened criminals.

Most of the women who are
locked up are charged with petty theft,

fraud, prostitution.
But one thing's for sure,

it is no place to have a baby.

If they think I'm an unfit mother,
they'll take my baby, won't they?

- You can't save everyone.
- But she isn't everyone.