10x05 - Episode 5

[bunniefuu]

Being a parent
is so often about waiting.

Waiting for the due date.

For the first smile.

The first steps.

The first time wings take flight.

The years pass.

The clock ticks.

The heart beats faster.

And we wait.

Teddy, fetch Timothy's results.

Sorry!

The register, if you would, please,

Pupil Midwife Corrigan.

Good morning, ladies.

Good morning, Nurse Crane.

Now, Pupil Midwife Baines,
you will come with me

to the maternity home this morning

and thereafter on today's
post-natal home visits.

As we are deprived of
the presence of Sister Hilda,

away on a refresher course,
Pupil Midwife Cowan,

you will accompany Nurse Anderson,

and, Pupil Midwife Hopkiss, you
will accompany Nurse Franklin.

Pupil Midwife Corrigan,

you will also come to
the maternity home

and work under the supervision
of Mrs Turner.

Yes, Nurse Crane.

Oh, a word, if I may, ladies,
before you all

go stampeding off to get your bags.

The mercury is climbing.

What does every good midwife
remember in a heatwave?

To drink plenty of water?

To attend to matters
of personal daintiness!

Expectant mothers can have
a heightened sense of smell,

and no-one enjoys the whiff
of an unkempt armpit.

There is a jar of deodorant cream

in the downstairs lavatory

if anyone's been guilty
of oversight!

Three As and a B!

You're into medical school, son!

I'm going to be a doctor!

Oh!

And bang on cue,
the only electric fan we've got

has given up the ghost!

Palmers of Poplar are
picking this up for

repair. It will have
to go in the stairwell.

There's no room in here
for redundant ironmongery.

Where is Pupil Midwife Corrigan?

I left her sorting out
Mrs Smith's paperwork

for discharge.

In which case, consider me
poised to intervene.

Oh, good morning, Mrs Owen.

And Jeanette.

Just three weeks until your due
date, according to your notes!

We booked in to see the doctor.

Ah, yes. Routine tests.

Now, Jeanette doesn't
attend our Tuesday clinic.

It clashed with school.

As it's now the holidays,

perhaps you'd like to reconsider.

Baby is in a very nice position
now, Jeanette.

And the head's engaged.

Well, does that mean
I'm having it now?

Nothing seems imminent.

You probably won't go into
labour for a couple of weeks,

according to your dates.
The schools go back

the first week of September.

She's meant to be starting
sixth form. All in good time.

Would you like us
to talk to the adoption society

and keep them up-to-date?

No.

I'm happy dealing with all that.

They couldn't have
been more helpful.

Are you happy with that, Jeanette?

I'm trying not to think
about it, to be honest.

I'm mainly worried
about my O-level results.

And my A-levels after that.

Well, there's never any harm
in looking to the future.

University.

That's her future.

You'll get there.

Things seem to be
ticking over nicely.

I live in dread of the lift
breaking down,

but you can't have everything.

And the nappies dry lovely
on the balcony,

we're so high up.

You're getting nicely ahead
with preparations for Baby.

Sort of. These are really Elaine's.

One pair of surgical-grade
support stockings,

unworn, from our own supplies.

Don't they come as tights?

No, they do not.

Perhaps your mother can
lend you a suspender belt?

Or purchase a maternity girdle...

Thank you, Miss Higgins.
You've been so helpful.

Everybody's been helpful.

Another exemplary reading.

As long as you keep taking
the iron tablets,

I have no concerns at all.

You can look forward to
a home delivery.

That's nice. I had Elaine at home,

when we were still in Edmonton.
It was lovely.

Have you anyone to look after
her whilst you're in labour?

Oh, we'll just pop her in the
playpen and put the telly on for her.

She never gives me an ha'p'orth
of trouble, do you, pet?

Have you got time for a cup of tea,
Sister? I buy the bags now,

so it'll be quick!
I'd like that very much.

Tea is so cooling on a sunny day.

I'm not nervous with this one,
like I was with my first.

I've been sorting through
all of Elaine's baby clothes,

just weeding out the pink knits
in case I have a boy.

You can't really go wrong
with white or lemon.

Hello, Elaine.

Have you got a smile for me?

I reckon she needs some fresh air.

I'll put her in her pushchair and
take her to the swings later.

I didn't want to alarm
Mrs Sands, but I'm fairly sure

that little Elaine is in need of

more than a breath of fresh air.

And there's no sign
of infection or neglect?

Her mother dotes on her,

and she's beautifully clean
and well looked after.

But she should be out of
nappies, she isn't walking,

and I saw no evidence
of speech development.

At this age, she's coming up for

a whole raft of routine tests,

but I don't think
we should wait for that.

No.

Miss Higgins,
can you add Elaine Sands

to my rounds for tomorrow?
Your lists are full.

Perhaps I could call in
on my way home?

That will not be necessary.

Mrs Sands is scheduled
to attend clinic

tomorrow afternoon in order to adjust her
milk tokens and have her routine tests.

Thank heavens for Miss Higgins

and her encyclopaedic knowledge
of our patients!

Thank heavens indeed, Dr Turner!

We have an emergency on our hands.

There has been an incursion of
water into my filing cabinets,

and I strongly suspect
a leaking pipe!

It's just a split in the lead.

I'll have to slot a little bit
of copper in.

Well, it'll take more than
a little bit of copper

to save these records!

A significant percentage
of them are stained,

and they will need to be
thoroughly dried

before being inspected
for legibility,

and then inserted in
replacement Lloyd George cards!

Miss Higgins,
tell me what I can do to help.

I require a washing line,
some clothes pegs...

..and the assistance of
a competent individual.

Good morning, Doctor.

Oh, and young Timothy,

to whom I believe the warmest
congratulations are in order.

Thank you, Miss Higgins.

Edinburgh is one of
the oldest and finest

medical schools in the world.

So what brings you here today?

I'm a competent individual,

and I've brought a washing line
and clothes pegs.

Would someone like to recap
the main tests carried out

after the birth and during
the first few weeks of life?

Pupil Midwife Baines?

The Apgar score,
recording weight gain and loss,

and the Phenistix urine test.

And what is that for?

Pupil Midwife Corrigan?

Phenylketonuria,
otherwise known as PKU.

Any further details?

You can't test until the baby's
about three weeks old.

And it's very, very, very rare.

So rare nobody ever really gets it.

Well, that's not entirely true,
Pupil Midwife Hopkiss,

although it is exceptionally
uncommon.

So why do we test
every baby in the country?

It seems like a bit of a waste
of resources to me.

PKU is a disease
that's best caught early.

And the test is a recent discovery.

Sometimes we test
because we can test.

No information,
however we gather it,

can ever be said to be wasted.

Now, there is no formal test for it,

but what can you tell me
about signs of tongue-tie?

You just need a nice
lightweight maternity girdle

that can be rinsed through,
Mrs Owen.

It will have clips
for the support hose

and then a hook for the towels
afterwards.

Shall I pop a packet of those
in with the order?

Oh, poor love, she does look peaky.

Let me go and put the kettle on.

I usually make a cup of tea
when ladies come in

for a layette visit.
All adds to the fun.

I think it's best not to
think of it as a layette visit.

Or fun. We're just here to
take care of the necessaries.

The decision has been made.

I will still need to make sure

that we get the right size,
Jeanette.

So just pop over to the counter

and I'll... I'll run the tape
round you.

She got up too quickly.

No, I feel really light-headed.

I was like this this morning.

That sounds like blood pressure.

I think you should telephone
the surgery.

Your blood pressure is / ,
Jeanette.

Nurse Crane was right about
those swollen ankles.

I should have had the stockings on!

Jeanette, swollen ankles
are quite common

towards the end of pregnancy.

But I think you might have
developed a condition

called pre-eclampsia.

I've read about that.

Teenage mothers are quite
prone to it, aren't they?

Yes. But it's most common
with your first pregnancy.

Will it hurt the baby?
All should be well.

But we will want to keep
a close eye on you.

You need to rest in bed
until your baby arrives.

And the best place to do that
is probably here,

in the maternity home.

I don't have to go to hospital?

Not if we can keep you
nice and stable here. Now,

I'm going to go outside
and talk to your mother

while Nurse Turner gets you settled.

Jeanette's not one of
your usual gymslip mums!

She's university material.

And I don't think it's right
for you to be making decisions

about her treatment over her head.

We didn't make any decisions
over her head.

We did make them
without involving you,

but that's because she's unwell.

And in my view, as her GP,

the best thing to do
is to admit her.

I've wanted all this
kept within bounds.

The bare minimum of carry-on,

so she can just think about

what lies beyond all this. I know.

But that doesn't mean
it isn't happening.

A week or two in here

might also help her to come to
terms with everything.

She may well adjust
more easily when...

When things get back to normal.

Hello, Mrs Ball!
All present and correct?

Not half!

Just look at the sheen
on that fondant.

I have to say,
your husband's done us proud!

Are you sure we can't reimburse you?

Nah. She's one of us now!

Go on. You do your bit,
I'll do mine.

Shining Tabernacle Church,
Pastor Robinson speaking.

Oh, Cyril, I am pleased
I caught you!

You couldn't possibly
nip over to the Institute?

I regret to say my vehicle
is playing silly beggars.

Speech! Speech!

Speech!

You talk.

No. You do it.

Thank you.

Thank you, all of you.

I came here on my own,

just like my fiance came on his own.

One thing and another
put us in each other's way,

and now we are going to
make a life together.

Cyril and I told our families
the news over the telephone,

and it will be a while

before anyone who knows me
as a little girl

can ask to see my ring.

But you did.

You all did.

And I don't think you'll ever
know how much that means.

And how much it makes me,

and the man beside me, feel as
though we have found our home.

Nothing amiss with
your urine test, Mrs Sands.

I'll just add that to your notes
and we're finished for today.

Actually, Dr Turner is about
to come and see Mrs Sands.

Could you tell him we're ready?

And perhaps see if Miss Higgins
needs any help at the desk.

Do you mean you'd like me
to leave the cubicle

so the patient can have
some privacy?

Yes.

Righty-ho.

Why's he coming?

You keep telling me
everything's spot-on.

And everything is.

With you. But Doctor wants to
talk to you about Elaine,

because I told him I have

some small concerns
about her development.

Did you bring her with you today?

I knew she wasn't doing well!

I just knew it!

I had three younger brothers.

There's kids living on the landing

born the same time as her.

I know what she should be
doing, and she isn't!

Have you been afraid
to ask for help?

It was more that
I was hoping she'd catch up.

That I was wrong.

Some kids are just a bit slower
than others, aren't they?

Yes, they are.

I see bed rest
is working its wonders!

Your temperature's
come down quite a bit.

My headache isn't as bad
as it was, I must say.

Ah, you'll be done with
all this in a couple of weeks.

The last month is always hard going.

I feel as if I've swallowed a house.

Or a small pony.

Wiggle your toes?

Can you still see them? Yes.

Then aren't you the lucky one!

Honest to God,
I've seen some women so big

you want to move them
round on wheels!

You know the baby's going
to be adopted, don't you?

I do.

It's in your notes.

Everybody's going to help you,
Jeanette.

Everyone's been helping me

ever since I burst
out of two girdles

and couldn't hide it any more.

You'll come out the other side.
I promise you.

Nurse, what are the rules
about people visiting in here?

I mean, who can come?

Is there someone in particular
you want to see?

The baby's father.

He's called Glen.

There's no rules against him
coming in.

Does he know you're in here?

I haven't been allowed to see him.

I wrote him a note, though,

but I haven't got an envelope.

Or a stamp.

Jot down the address for me
there. I'll find you a pen.

You might find you're
just in time for the last post.

We'll have to tread
very gently with Mrs Sands.

She was upset even at the mention

of referral to a specialist.

I've seen the wilful blindness
of a mother's love so often,

and, invariably, it results in
delayed diagnosis.

Elaine's problems could also
have developed over time.

Some syndromes and diseases

just aren't apparent
in the first year of life.

And that is when a lot of the
routine examinations happen.

Her family were under
another practice then.

I wish I could put my finger
on the problem.

I don't want to waste time

referring her to
the wrong specialist.

Nonnatus House,

midwife speaking.

It's all right.

See to your baby and calm him down.

Er, I've only just managed
to calm him down.

Er, would it be possible

to speak with Nurse Franklin,
please?

Trixie,
this one seems to be for you.

I think that baby may be teething.

Nurse Franklin speaking.

It's... it's Matthew Aylward.

I'm calling for professional advice.

How do you sack a nanny?

I'm afraid I'm a midwife,
Mr Aylward,

not an employment lawyer.

I mean, do you just tell them to go?

And then, if you do,
how do you replace them?

Before we go on to address
your second question,

might it be sensible for me

to ask you exactly
what's gone wrong?

You did see what she was like
after the christening?

I saw the extent to
which she was controlling

everything and said you ought
to have more confidence.

Well, you did say
you'd send me some books.

Oh, no, I did, didn't I?

Oh, I'm so sorry,
it completely slipped my mind!

It's fine. It's hardly
your responsibility!

It's just you spoke such good sense

and seemed to see things
with such a clear-eyed vision,

I'd humbly welcome
any advice you can give.

Mr Aylward,
where's Jonathan's nanny now?

It's her afternoon off.

Er, I come home early
to feed him his tea.

He's on solids now -
well, sort of sloppy solids -

and he just will not eat
anything from a spoon!

And what advice did Nanny give?

Er, refuse to accept the refusal.

I keep pushing the spoon
in the direction of his mouth.

All I've managed to do so far
is poke him in the eye!

Mr Aylward, I happen to be
on your side of town

tomorrow for a meeting
in the evening.

I could call in beforehand

and bring you the books I promised.

Why did she have to wait
till we was in the church?!

Could one of you go up
and put the loft ladder away?

I've been on my hands
and knees up there,

looking for that box of
your old medical school things.

No luck, I'm afraid!

Oh, sorry, Tim!

It was the skeleton
that I really wanted.

It's in the equipment list
that they sent me.

That's actually missing
one tibia, two metatarsals

and several phalanges.

I think you might have
come bottom in anatomy.

I have fond memories
of being terrorised

by that skeleton. Are you still

trying to make headway
with little Elaine Sands?

I noticed she had quite
bad eczema on her arms,

but there aren't too many clues.

I'm working on the idea
that it might be metabolic.

I'm certainly going to ask for
her lipids to be tested.

Patrick, do you know exactly
what tests Elaine had at birth?

When I was teaching
the pupil midwives,

I was really struck by
how patterns can vary

for things like PKU.

I might go down to
the surgery and check.

Now?

I'll be tossing and turning
all night if I don't.

Dad! If you mess up those files,

Miss Higgins will eat you
alive. And then eat me.

I'm coming with you.

I keep seeing diseases
on these records

that hardly exist any more.

They aren't even that old.

Diphtheria,

smallpox...

..polio.

We know about polio, don't we?

Yes, but it's not just
about vaccines.

It's the antibiotics.

You've witnessed things as a doctor

that I'm never going to see.
Or smell.

You'll never know the stench
of a septic ward, thank God.

And you will see things
I never dreamed could happen.

What do you dream of, Dad?

Better pre-natal diagnostic testing.

X-rays are too primitive,
too dangerous.

Although, right now,

I'd settle for improved
record-keeping.

Waterproof would be a start!

Ah, here we go.

Elaine Sands was delivered
by council midwives.

Birth normal.

Standard vaccinations.

No record of a PKU test.

Phenylketonuria.

It's been a bit of a ragged
roll-out in terms of screening.

Elaine might have been
missed out altogether.

This one's from my Auntie Priss!

I feel as though I shouldn't be

opening engagement presents
without Cyril.

Seize the moment, Lucille!

You're still your own woman.

It's dinner mats.

I think she crocheted them herself.

Well, she's extremely
inventive with her needle.

And they're nice, lively colours.

She has chosen them with love.

Put them in your bottom drawer

and get them out
if she ever comes to visit.

What are you up to with that rubber?

Eradicating all the notes

I made in the margins
of my childcare books.

If Matthew Aylward is
going to learn from them,

he needs to read them from scratch

and make up his own mind.

Does that poor man
not have family around him

to advise? His mother

and his own childhood nanny,

who appears to be his mother's
right-hand woman.

I'm the nearest thing

to an impartial adviser
that he's got.

Why are you doing all this?

I thought she was going to
be seen at the hospital.

Doctor simply wants to be sure

that he's referring her
to the right specialist.

Is the nappy ready?

It's the one I took off her
just before you arrived.

It's not been in the rinse bucket.

Good thing about this test is
the results are immediate.

If it's positive, the stick
changes colour to green,

apparently.

I've never seen it happen yet.

That looks green to me.

Yes, it does. I think we may be
looking at a positive result.

That's a good thing...

..if it's positive, isn't it?

I'm afraid not.
I'll talk to Dr Turner.

He'll come and visit
and explain the next steps.

Excuse me.

I'm looking for the maternity ward.

Glen? Timothy Turner?

What, are you a doctor now,
or something?

It seems like about three years
ago we were in the Scouts.

It has been about three years
since we were in Scouts!

A little longer since Cubs.
Are you doing all right?

I've just got into university
to do medicine. At Edinburgh.

Oh! I'm going to train
as an accountant.

I've been taken on
by an office where I can do

day release at college.
That's fantastic!

Glen, why do you need directions

to the maternity ward?

Sister! Sister!
There's something the matter

with Elaine! I think she's fitting!

Oh, no!

She's choking! She's choking!

She won't choke.

I'm holding her tongue in position.

And the convulsion's over.

Shall I call an ambulance? No.

But we must call the doctor.

Oliver Twist?

Nothing like a starving orphan
to cheer you up

when life turns to the bad.

And it all starts with
a fallen woman!

I'd think my mum
was trying to make a point,

but she just grabbed it

along with my nighties
and sponge bag.

She's never read any Dickens.

Oh, I don't mind a bit of him.

I did David Copperfield
when I was back at school.

I ended up fancying
David Copperfield.

And he isn't even real.

Is this where Jeanette is?

I don't have to ask who you are.

I do need to tell you, though,

it isn't actually visiting hours.
Please let him stay.

Please!

minutes. Then I'll
show you out the back way.

I brought you some Rolos.

I think they've melted a bit.

I've got no room for Rolos.

I've got so much baby in me now.

It's got so much bigger.

Remember when we just kept
hoping it would go away?

It just got more and more real.

And now it's...

..really...

..real.

They're going to take it away, Glen!

I know.

Your mum told my mum.

Will you let 'em? I said they could.

I said it could be adopted
when everyone found out

and I was panicking!
Is it what you want?

It's what everybody wants!

I don't.

And what's he doing here?

I'm not having it.

I want him removed.

The hospital will have to confirm it

but, sadly, I think the seizure
was caused by phenylketonuria.

The condition showed up

in her urine test.
How serious is it?

Elaine was born
unable to rid her body

of a chemical in her diet
called phenylalanine.

This chemical built up
in her bloodstream

and has had a harmful
effect on her brain.

Her brain?

Will they have to operate?

Or give her medicine?

That would be better, wouldn't it?

Better than cutting her
head open or something.

From what I've been
able to find out,

she will be placed on
a very specialised

low-protein diet...
Will that cure her?

It should stop her condition
from getting any worse.

And we can bring in occupational

and physiotherapists

and possibly a speech therapist

to help her regain some ground...

Is that going to make her normal?

Over time, it should help
her development.

You mean she's still
going to be backward?

That's a very general term.

I think we should try to wait
until Elaine has been seen

by a specialist.
I'm going to arrange

for an ambulance now. Dr Turner?

What about the new baby?

Could it have the same thing?

Yes.

I'm sorry.

It could.

This maternity home has rules

and routines for a reason,
Nurse Corrigan.

It just seemed so cold-hearted
not to let him in.

Feelings can run very high
in this sort of situation,

and taking a cool, calm approach

is better for the mother's
state of mind

and therefore health.

You mean in an adoption situation?

Yes.

But you're going to see

all sorts of emotional
complications in district work.

It's not like hospital, where
medical procedure dominates.

That's why I want to do... to do it.

I want to care.

If you didn't care,
you wouldn't be a midwife.

But everyone will benefit
if you observe the rules.

Might I ask if there was
a particular flash point?

Housework, perhaps?

I'd started calling the baby Jonty.

"Jon-a-than" seems like
an awful lot of syllables

for such a little chap.

And Nanny kept telling me to stop.

She doesn't approve
of abbreviations.

Or nicknames.

Well, I'm sure I can think
of a nickname for her.

Oh, look at you, Master Jonty!

Is that chocolate pudding
all over you,

or are you trying out
a new type of face mask?

Well, I-I-I think
he might need freshening up.

I do believe he does.

That doctor keeps shaking his head.

He keeps shaking his head
and writing things down.

He isn't hurting her,
and she isn't crying.

That doesn't mean she's happy.

She's doing what I used to call
her Dilly Daydream look.

Seeing straight past him.

Dr Selleck will see you now.

I've changed nappies
since that woman walked out

and every single one of them
has leaked.

Oh, dear.

I've found wee in his ears
on a few occasions.

How does a baby get wee in its ears?

Before you fasten the nappy,

do you always take care
to point his penis downwards?

No.

Although from a personal...

..well, er, at least,
anatomical point of view,

that does make sense.

It's a perfectly simple skill

once you've mastered
the basic rules.

I was thinking about buying
disposable ones.

Well, they do save a lot of laundry.

But they aren't very absorbent,
and you might find yourself

battling nappy rash.

I can remember Fiona
saying that to me...

..when we were planning
how to bring him up.

You mustn't be afraid

to go back over conversations
you had with her.

Benjamin Spock
says it all the time -

you know more than you think.

And you know more than you think

because once upon a time
you had a...

..a lovely, intelligent
partner by your side.

She always wanted me
to be involved with the baby.

Perhaps not as involved
as this, but...

She trusted you.

And now it's time for you
to trust yourself.

I have to find another nanny,

or I'm not going to be able
to go back to work.

Then you must trust yourself
to find the right one.

Dr Selleck says these diet sheets

are for preliminary reading.

I don't even know what
preliminary means!

Vee!

Yesterday we didn't even know
what phenylketonuria means.

We'll learn.

It's all my fault, George.

Well, if it runs in families,
then it's my fault too.

You heard the specialist
trying to explain it.

No.

That couldn't be helped.

You and me and how we made Elaine.

She is what she is.

But I'm the mother
who couldn't see it!

And I made it worse.

I'm awfully sorry to have
kept you for so long.

I hope I didn't make you
miss your meeting?

Oh, it's more a sort of study group.

There'll be another one next week.

Thank you for speaking
with the nanny agency.

A nurse's authority trumps
a nanny's every time.

And I've made things
extremely clear -

you will be directing
Jonathan's care,

and Nanny will answer
to nobody else.

You will help me sift through
the applications?

I'm not bowing out until I know

you and Jonathan are in safe hands.

And the agency have assured me

I'll have a number
of candidates to look at

by tomorrow.

Might I enquire as to
where you're going, Miss Owen?

I'm discharging myself.
I'm entitled!

You are also nine months pregnant

and suffering from pre-eclampsia.

If you go home now, your mother will
bring you straight back here.

I would hope for nothing less
from her.

I'm not going home.
I'm going to my boyfriend's!

And what will happen then, pray?

Miss Owen!

Miss Owen, you must come back!

Miss Owen!

Jeanette!

Have you joined another
marriage bureau?

No.

I cashed in my membership of the last
one and spent the money at the sales.

I would have done the same.
If I were you.

But I'm married to my work.

And Jesus.

I sometimes think the work we do

is better than any spouse
could ever be.

It brings out the best in us,
and it's always there?

Mm.

Yes.

Exactly that.

You're lucky
you didn't fracture that wrist.

As it is, it broke your fall and
probably saved you from further injury.

I could have hurt the baby,
couldn't I?

There's no harm done.

I could have really, really hurt it!

And that's the last thing
in the world I meant to do!

I know. You're to rest now.

Rest and stay well until it's
time for Baby to be born.

I need to look after it.

This is the only care
it's ever going to get from me.

And that makes it very powerful.

But this is not
the only love you'll feel.

And that's important too.

When you look at the lists

and then you look at the labels,

I mean, even when
you look at the food...

I don't know how
we're going to do it.

They said the dietician
would help us.

The dietician isn't
going to move in here and

cook three meals a day for
Elaine, is she?

No. She isn't.

And it's just like,
everything is protein.

Ham's a protein.

Eggs are protein.

I think even sausages and cheese,

and Angel Delight,
because you make it with milk.

How much protein's in milk, Vee?

I don't know, George!

I don't know!

Time for another urine sample,
I'm afraid.

Are the tests still
coming back all right?

There's not been a great deal
to concern us

since you were admitted,
but that shows

these precautions
are doing the trick.

How do you know?

Know what?

What it feels like
to give a baby away?

With one thing and another,

I've given it
a great deal of thought.

Did it happen to you?

Did you have to give a baby up?

No. I took two babies in -

my adopted daughter,
Angela, as a newborn,

and our foster child, May.

She's a little older, but
she has a mother still alive.

I think of their birth mothers
so very often.

Do you despise them
for giving their babies up?

No.

I revere them for their bravery.

And I think of them with love,
because I chose their babies,

and they had no choice at all.

Do you think
they did the right thing?

Every day, with every breath I take,

I make sure they did
the right thing.

They are the children I prayed for.

I pray for their mothers now.

I hope my baby
goes to someone like you.

The adoption society had
a bit of good news for us

this morning. Did they?

There's room in their nursery
for the baby straight away.

It means you won't have to go
to the mother and baby home

while they set the wheels in motion.

Can't we just stick to the
arrangements we already made?

I went to look at it this morning.

Oh, it's lovely.

The nurses wear pale yellow,

and, when the prospective
parents are coming

to see a baby,

they pin a sunflower to the cot.

It's a happy sort of place.

Are you in pain?

I think I might be in labour. Nurse!

Nurse, we think she's starting!

Don't worry, Jeanette.

Let me take a look at you
and we'll soon know

- where we're at.
- I'm scared!

There's nothing to be scared of!

I'm not leaving you.
I can stay, can't I?

If that's what Jeanette wants.

It isn't what I want.

If you'd like to stay
in reception, Mrs Owen,

we'll come out and let you know
how things are going.

She's only !

And she's a bright girl

who knows her own mind.

I want to move Jeanette in here
straight away.

She's four centimetres dilated,

but she hasn't been
to any ante-natal classes

and she isn't coping
well with the pain.

Is it any wonder?

That mother of hers has been
running the whole show.

Chasing the boyfriend off,
getting the baby adopted.

Now it's finally got to a point
where she can't take over

and actually give birth,

Jeanette's gone into a panic!

Pupil Midwife Corrigan,
that is uncalled for.

I don't think honesty
is ever uncalled for.

That poor girl has been
bullied to the point

where she's breaking her heart
and frozen stiff!

Nobody's listened to a word
she has to say.

I'm listening to every word
Jeanette has to say.

Which is why her mother

is sitting in reception
and will stay there.

Waiting to take that baby and
hand it over to God knows who!

And why I am going to
take the lead in this delivery.

Midwifery isn't just about
the number of births you can

tick off and put in your records.

Sometimes, it's about
reading a situation

with as much sensitivity

and common sense as you can muster

and putting your own emotions
to one side.

You can't get the best result
for the mother

if you're putting what you feel
centre stage.

I thought nursing was
all about compassion.

It is.

But what I am seeing now is passion,

and that is not the same at all.

That's excellent work, Jeanette!

Excellent work.

It is work, though, isn't it?

It's not easy.

But you're doing it like an expert.

I can see Baby's head.

Hello, Glen.

Thank you for ringing.

My mum says thank you, too.

I'm not a monster.

I'm just...

..her mother.

Oh!

Good girl. Good girl.

This is the burning sensation
we told you about.

Just short pushes now.

Short pushes.

That's it, the head's out...

Just the head?!

It's all right, Jeanette.
That's the hard part done.

It's a boy.

Would you like to
hold the baby now, Jeanette?

Or after we've bathed
and dressed him?

Now, please.

Of course.

A receiver for the placenta,
please, Pupil Midwife Corrigan.

Yes, Mrs Turner.

Roll of drums! You're a grandma.

And you're a father.

It's a boy.

Are you going to toss a coin
to see who comes in first?

Would you like to sit down
and hold Baby, Mrs Owen?

No, thank you.
I've got a bit of a cold.

We can fetch you a mask.

No, thank you.
Er, I'll wait outside,

so I won't get in the nurse's way.

Can I hold him?

Of course you can.

Let's see how he shapes up.

The most important thing to remember

is to support Baby's head.

It should nestle nicely
in the crook of your arm.

He feels so warm, don't he?

And so heavy.

I didn't think he'd look
so finished.

So like a complete person.

And look at that face.

I can't stop looking at his face.

It's a like a little dish
of promises.

Am I talking rubbish?

When I look at him,

all I can see is his future.

Can I make you a cup of tea,
Mrs Owen?

It's an awful hard decision...

..to give a baby up.

The decision has been made.

And Jesus answering saith unto them,

have faith in God.

For verily I say unto you

that whosoever shall
say unto this mountain,

be thou removed
and be thou cast into the sea,

and shall not doubt in his heart

but shall believe that
these things which he saith

shall come to pass...

..he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Therefore I say unto you...

..what things so ever
ye desire, when ye pray,

believe that ye shall receive them,

and you shall have them.

Nonnatus House, midwife speaking.

Good morning. Sister.

Oh.

I'm glad it's you.

Good morning.

I'm not allowed to be here, am I?

My young assistant, Mr Turner,
advised me of your presence,

which I consider to be
irregular, but will overlook.

I bring glad tidings!

I have found a place

for you and the little one
at St Morwenna's

- Mother and Baby Home.
- For how long?

The usual stay is four to six weeks,

and they will liaise with
the adoption society.

Now, I'm to submit the forms today,

if you will grant me
your assistance.

Do we have a name for Baby?

Is this the same as
the birth certificate?

No. You will see to that at the
registry office in due course.

Once Baby is adopted,

a new certificate will be
issued with his new name,

but the original
will remain on record,

with your own names

and the name you originally
chose for your little boy.

I've had all sorts of names
going through my head.

I didn't settle on one
cos I didn't think it mattered.

Now I know it does.
What about Oliver?

After this book you've been reading?

I've never heard of anyone
called Oliver in real life!

It's as though it never
caught on or came into fashion.

I have a soft spot
for literary appellations.

My own middle name is Trilby.

After the novel
by George du Maurier.

Millicent Trilby Higgins.

I like it.

Oliver it is.

Oliver Roberts.

Same surname as his father.

Right.

I keep thinking about Elaine.

She's being very,
very well looked after.

Better than
she was looked after by me.

Oh, you mustn't think
like that, Vera.

And I'm certainly not going
to let you talk like that.

What if there's something wrong
with this one?

And I don't see it, I won't see it.

We'll be testing the new baby
within a few days of birth

and supporting you
every step of the way.

I can't cope on my own!

You won't have to.

I got the flannel and the water.

Thank you. We're going to
see if we can help you

to feel more comfortable.

I actually think, young man,

that you and I
are going to be all right.

That is my considered view.

And I trust myself.

Right.

One romper suit,

one bowl of Farex,

and then we are going to
express our gratitude.

Miss Higgins, I went round to
the shops at feeding time

and bought something for Jeanette.

Look.

It's a baby book!

How nice! She likes books,

and there's spaces
to write down everything -

birth weight, colour of eyes,
when he smiles his first smile.

I think that might happen
in the mother and baby home.

So she can write that in.

I think that's
absolutely delightful.

Allow me to lend you my own pen.

Such important details should
be recorded in ink, in my view.

Is it all right to go
through to Jeanette?

It is officially visiting time.

We can go straight in.

This is Miss Norton
from the adoption society.

We have the head now!
We have the head.

Just rest and catch your breath.

I don't want it...

Vera, I know that's not true.

And you know how hard you've worked

to get to exactly this moment.

I'm scared.

Scared it won't be all right,
scared I can't cope with it.

And the bravest thing you can
possibly do is to say that.

Do you hear me?
You are as strong now

as you will ever have to be.
You will not fail.

You've got me, Vee.

And we've all got each other.

Push, Vera! Push! Use all
the power you have. Use it!

See what you have done?

A beautiful, beautiful little boy.

You can't take him! You can't!

It's his feeding time!
He needs his bottle!

He's going to the adoption
society nursery.

- They can feed him there.
- We're supposed to be going

to the mother and baby home!
Miss Higgins said we were!

- This is what was arranged.
- You can't take him!

- He's our baby!
- If you will excuse me.

That's his name bracelet!

His name is Oliver!

Oliver!

What's happened?

Baby Oliver's been taken to
the adoption nursery.

This is your baby's
identity bracelet, Glen.

It states his date of birth

and the name you chose for him
with his mother.

You may keep it, always,
as his parents.

Can I go to her?

Can I show her?

Jeanette is going to be given
a sedative

and then she will sleep.

Would you like some tea?

I shall see to it forthwith.

And Timothy will find you
an envelope for the bracelet.

If it's the church adoption
nursery, it's a lovely place.

It's sunny,
and the nurses all wear yellow.

My baby sister came from there.

I remember going to get her.

I wish we were back in Cubs.

So do I.

When his eyes are shut,

it's like looking at Elaine
when she was a newborn.

I remember that.

All I could feel was love.

No fear at all.

You heard what Sister Julienne said.

Wait till we get the tests done.

- Delivery for Miss Franklin.
- Are you sure?

It says so on the order.

I shouldn't have read that card.

I've fallen into sin

and keep wondering who Jonty is.

Jonty's definitely a man's name.

I'm just wondering
if it sounds a bit theatrical.

I'm also wondering
what sort of a man

sends a woman
a Swiss cheese plant.

The question is,
not what sort of a man,

but why this precise
botanical specimen?

Every bloom has a meaning
when presented thus.

The almanac has a full lexicon

of the language of flowers.

That's a very old book.
Has it got Swiss cheese plants?

It has japonica,
which this resembles.

Loveliness.

It's got a look
of a rhododendron about it.

Rhododendron.
"Beware. I am dangerous!"

What's all this?

The evidence suggests
you've got an admirer.

And his intentions are ambiguous.

Jonty is short for Jonathan.

And he's a six-month-old baby!

I spoke to the hospital
this morning.

They said Elaine's already
responding to the diet.

And when I go in, in a few days,

I might notice that her eczema
has improved.

I'm going in this afternoon.
The nurse is going to show me

how to measure her food portions.

Is that going to hurt him?

It's a tiny prick
rather than an injection.

The urine stick
doesn't hurt at all, of course,

but this blood test
can be done sooner,

and we want to put your mind
at rest as soon as possible.

It is extremely kind of you,
Mr Aylward,

but not at all necessary.

What's it like? The plant?

It's quite large.

And it hasn't got any flowers on it

or anything like that, has it?

No. It's just leaves.

Good.

Only, I said to the florist
it was a thank you,

and a profound one,

but in a strictly business
and professional context,

not in an emotional
or personal sense.

Because anything like that
would be inappropriate.

No.

There are no flowers
on this plant, Mr Aylward.

I promise you.

Open it!

It's your O-level results.

It won't make any difference now.

I'm starting sixth form

and I'm going to university,

and I'll be learning,
learning all the time.

But the one thing
that I'll never know

is what happened to my baby.

It's a fresh start.

You've got a clean slate. And
it's what you said you wanted

when you agreed to all of this.

The only fresh start
I want is with Glen,

and you're going to have to
let me have that.

Jeanette, love...

The decision's already been made.

We're going to help you dry up
your milk supply, Jeanette.

Pupil Midwife Corrigan hasn't
observed breast binding before.

Do you mind if she helps us?

Come on, sweetie. Let's get
you out of that nightdress.

He definitely hasn't got PKU, then?

He won't be as sick as Elaine?

The blood test is negative
for phenylketonuria.

It's a perfectly normal result.

It certainly seems safe to say so.

He was always going
to be perfect to us.

Just like Elaine is. Perfect.

In a different way, and...

..just as special.

Sometimes we wait not for change,

but for the grace
to accept the status quo.

We must embrace the way things are,

and let life frame
the love we have to share.

We wait for meaning
to be made apparent.

We wait for the things
we are promised...

..or will choose.

We wait as things unfold
and take the shape they will,

not knowing what the future holds,

or quite where we are flying,

or what we have begun.

Mrs Gupta, these chemicals

can be very dangerous
when you mix them.

There's a piece missing.

Manju, I think some of your
placenta is still in your womb.

No doctor would subject a
patient to a medical procedure

that carries risks unless
they felt it was necessary.

If this is your best,
I'd hate to see your bloody worst.