10x06 - Episode 6

[bunniefuu]

BOTH LAUGH

MATURE JENNIFER: We are nothing
without others.

In their presence, we unfold.

A smile exchanged,

a confidence shared,

a joining of forces
as we make our way.

These are the things that unite us

and enable us to thrive.

Perhaps, above all else,

we are what we share...

a glance, a task,

a passion, a child...

PHONE RINGS

...our happiness, our home.

Nonnatus House. Midwife speaking.

Nurse Anderson!

There's an emergency
at Tavistock Buildings.

Sister Frances has the details.

It's a BBA... born before arrival...

so be as quick as you can.

Nurse Hopkiss can come with me.

Yes, Nurse Crane.

Well, don't just stand there
gawping, lass.

We haven't got all day.

You took your time,
if you don't mind me mentioning.

Flat ? Mrs Chawla?
Which way, please?

Oh, you want the flat upstairs.
It's a green door. Thanks.

I'm the one who phoned you.

It's the last door on the right!

DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

What are you doing nosing?

This is women's business.

Blood. So much blood.
Help her. Please. Help her.

- What's your name, precious?
- Manju.

I'm Nurse Anderson,
midwife from Nonnatus House,

and this is Sister Frances.

She's just going to take
a little look at Baby

while I have a look at you.

BABY CRIES
Thank you.

There we are. Let's clean you up.

BABY CRIES

SHE GASPS

CRIES INTENSIFY

Oh! You've got
a beautiful little girl, Manju,

with a fine pair of lungs!

Can I see? Not yet, precious.

Let me feel if your womb
is contracted.

I need to see where
the bleeding's coming from.

I'll be as gentle as I can.

Tea. No custard creams,
but there are ginger snaps.

You won't find any complaints
from me.

SHE LAUGHS

It looks like John Peel's report
on the Abortion Reform Bill

will be published
some time in December.

Gosh. They were quick
once they got started.

- What do you think they'll recommend?
- In all honesty, I don't know.

I know what I hope
they'll say, but...

It's a difficult subject
for a lot of people, I know.

Well, we'll just have to
wait and see what transpires.

- There's a piece missing.
- Manju, listen to me, precious.

I think some of your placenta,

your afterbirth,
is still in your womb,

so we have to get it out.
Do you understand?

Manju, the injection will
help your womb contract again

and get rid of it.

That's it, precious, well done.

I know it's uncomfortable.

Here it comes.

That's it, precious. That's it.

Well done. You're doing so well.

Sister Frances is going to take
a look to make sure it's all there.

There's still some more. Manju,
we have to get you to hospital now

- in case you need an operation.
- No...

No. No, no, no, no.
SHE SOBS

Can you tell her it's an emergency
and she has to go?

She needs urgent medical care.

She's lost a lot of blood
and could even die.

SHE GASPS She'll go.

She's upset because it is Sutak.

Only family should see women
after birth.

We need the flying squad.

Hello, Ethel.

PATIENTS ALL SHOUT AT ONCE
Ladies...

...please!
SHOUTING STOPS

You are in a respectable
medical establishment,

not going ten rounds
with Henry Cooper.

NURSE GIGGLES

You coming?

Hello, Mrs Watson.

Gosh, your little one's grown
since the last time I saw her.

Why do you think I'm here, Nurse?
Milk tokens.

She's drinking me out of house and home.

Well, if you join the queue,

Miss Higgins will be able to give
you some. Shouldn't take too long.

Sorry. Will you watch her?
I think I'm going to be sick.

If we'd have arrived
just a few minutes later,

Mrs Chawla could easily have d*ed.

It was just lucky
that neighbour phoned us.

It's always been hard to get
the Indian women to come to us.

Why?

Lots of reasons, I imagine.
They don't all speak English,

and they have their own way
of doing things.

Their family take care of them.

That's all very well if everything
goes to plan.

Exactly.

It's when there's complications
that the problems start.

Mrs Chawla needed a midwife
today, that's for sure.

Do you know what we've done before
to let them know about us?

As far as I know,
Nurse Crane had leaflets printed

and sent out round the district.
She even had them translated,

- but it didn't do that much good.
- Well, perhaps we need

- to think of something else.
- Perhaps you do.

Right, Mrs Watson,
pop yourself up there,

and Nurse Corrigan will
make you a nice cup of tea.

- How many sugars, Mrs Watson?
- Two. And one for luck.

I don't know why I always say that.
It never works.

Did you want a biscuit?
I can get you one.

- Better not. Dicky tummy.
- Sure enough. Back in a tick.

Ooh, that looks nasty.
How did that happen?

Jammed it in the door.
It looks worse than it is.

- So how long have you been feeling sick?
- Three weeks. Maybe four.

- I think we should do a urine test.
- You don't have to.

I've been through this enough times
to know what's what.

I know it must be hard,
Mrs Watson, with four of them.

I thought it would be easier
when the twins went to school,

but there's still six of us.
Top it all, Pete lost his job

- a fortnight ago.
- Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

God knows when he'll get
another one.

I don't know how I'm going to
tell him about all this.

I won't be able to hide it
for long, will I?

I was the size of a bleedin' house
with the last one.

DOOR OPENS

Oh!

This smells very good.

Go wash. Then we will eat.

I hear Mrs Chawla had her operation,

and she and her baby
are doing very well.

I'm happy for Manju.

Those midwives
saved her life, Sarita.

Go. Wash.

SISTER JULIENNE: Come in.

Leaflets are important,
Sister, of course,

but I wonder if
a more personal touch

wouldn't work better
in this instance.

Go on.

What if we offered evening classes?

We have regular classes,
Sister Frances.

Yes, but these would be different.
These would be just for

the Asian mothers. It might make it
more appealing to them,

especially if we hired a translator.
It would be for them to find out

about us, but it would also be
for us to learn about them

and their customs
and what they need from us.

That does seem like
a very sensible idea, Sister.

However, these are
testing times financially,

and your classes would incur extra
costs, money we just don't have.

That's not to say we should
dismiss it out of hand.

Why don't you plan the first one,
on the strict understanding

that you find some means
of covering all future costs?

In truth, without that,
they couldn't take place.

BOTH SHRIEK AND GIGGLE

Can't you do something to stop them
making that bloody racket?

They're only kids, Pete.
They're not doing any harm.

I can't hear meself think, Cherry.

You, think? Careful, you might
do yourself an injury.

I didn't mean it.

It was a joke.

SHRIEKING CONTINUES

I'll go see to them now.

HE SIGHS

- You not eating, pet?
- Not hungry.

Probably a good thing. You look like
you've put on a bit of weight.

You know I like you
just the way you are.

WATER SPLASHES

Mrs Turner, do you have
one of the old leaflets

we sent out, so I could see it?

Yes, I think there are some spares
in the bottom drawer there.

I think you'll find
I've moved them, Mrs Turner.

They now sit alphabetically...
where they always should have been.

I've refiled most of the records
that relate to our Asian mothers.

Most Sikh women, for example,
have Kaur as their surname,

so they should always be filed
under their given names.

How do you know so much about them?

My father was
in the Indian Civil Service.

We came back to England
when I was ten,

but he continued to instil in me
a sense of order

- that has stood me in good stead.
- It certainly has, Miss Higgins.

If you give me
the date of your first class,

I'll print new leaflets
on our Gestetner duplicator.

I could possibly translate them
into Punjabi myself

and find others
to help with Pashto and Urdu.

That should suffice,
for the time being.

That would be wonderful,
Miss Higgins. Thank you so much.

DOORBELL RINGS

Oh! Can I help you?

My name is Raj Gupta.
I have come about my wife.

I am greatly concerned about her.

Better come in, lad.

My wife Sarita and I have been
in Poplar for nearly a year.

Our family are in the East Punjab,
so we have no-one here.

I have a very good job
in a warehouse. I am a foreman.

We have very nice rooms. Sarita
takes very good care of them...

Young man, I don't wish to be rude,
but time is of the essence.

Could you tell me exactly
what's wrong with your wife?

You can be as direct as you like.

It won't be anything
I haven't heard before.

- I assume she's expecting a baby.
- I think it will come soon,

but she will not see a doctor.

I have asked her many times,
but she refuses.

Do you know why?

She is scared.

And now I am scared
of what might happen.

And your wife doesn't know
you're here, is that it?

I will just give you
our doctor's number.

He's a very kind, gentle man,
and your wife can trust him.

Also, one of the Sisters here
is holding a meeting

just for our Asian mothers.

Do you think you could persuade
your wife to come to it?

It would be better
if you invited her.

I'm sure we can sort something out.

Oh, Sister Frances! How lovely.
What can I do for you?

Well, I'm here to talk to you
in your official capacity.

Ooh! In my official capacity?
How intriguing.

You see, I'd like to discuss
how I might go about

applying for some funding
from the council.

Funding from the council? Well, you
have piqued my curiosity, Sister.

Now, you've certainly
come to the right person

but not the right place.

I prefer to conduct official council
business at my evening surgery.

Oh, of course. No, but... May I
give you some idea of where...?

Sister, I'm so sorry,
but I must stop you there.

Right now, you're addressing me
as Mrs Violet Buckle

of Buckle's Haberdashery.

However, at my evening surgery,

you will be addressing me
as Mrs Violet Buckle,

local councillor, a small
but very important difference.

So, I look forward
to seeing you there.

SHE CLEARS THROAT
Oh, er, Mrs Gupta?

I'm Nurse Crane from Nonnatus House.
May I come in?

Please put those heavy bags down.
I can bring them in for you.

I forgot something at shop.
I... I will go back.

Oh, please... Let me help you.
It'll only take five minutes.

We're holding
an evening get-together

for our local Asian mothers-to-be.
It's a chance to meet us.

Is this your first baby, Mrs Gupta?

All the more reason to come along.

I will try, but I am very busy.

It'll only be for an hour or two.

Our midwives are all very friendly.

It won't be long before
Baby's here, Mrs Gupta.

It might help you.

- I will come.
- Good. I'll tell them.

Right, well, I'll, er...
I'll let you get on.

Have you tried cleaning
with white vinegar

and just a touch of soap?

It brings everything up
beautifully...

...at half the price.

I will ask in shop.

Oh! Don't worry.
I can see myself out. Cheerio.

DOOR CLOSES

GASPING BREATHS

DOORBELL RINGS

Good afternoon. I wondered
if it might be possible

to have a word with
the Mother Superior.

I'm in the area
conducting some family business.

I'm afraid the Mother Superior
doesn't live here,

but Sister julienne
will be able to help you.

- May I tell her who's calling?
- Matthew Aylward.

Come in, Mr Aylward.
Take a seat and I'll tell her.

Thank you.

BABY CRIES

♪ Hush, little baby

♪ Don't say a word

♪ Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird

♪ And if that mocking... ♪

SHE GASPS

SHE VOMITS

- What's wrong with you?
- Something I ate.

- You must think I'm stupid.
- I don't think that.

What is it with you, Cherry?

I only have to hang my shirt up
at the bottom of the bed,

- and you're in the club!
- The pill didn't suit me, you know that,

and... you won't...

So this is all my fault, is it?

No! I didn't say that. I just...

Don't you ever blame me.

Not ever!

I've done nothing but my best
for you and the kids. Your best?

TEARFULLY: Is that what you call it?

Look at this place.

It's not fit for animals
to live in, let alone kids.

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

It's my father's company, actually.

We have property in this area,
so as we're neighbours,

I thought I'd come
and introduce myself.

I've heard a great deal about
the splendid work that you do here.

That's always so pleasing to hear.

Er, my wife d*ed recently,
not long after giving birth...

...and she was greatly helped
by one of your midwives

who was working
at the private hospital at the time.

- Nurse Franklin?
- Yes.

It became apparent then
just how important your work is.

You have my sincere
condolences, Mr Aylward.

Thank you.

Now, I've been doing
some research into this area,

and it seems that Nonnatus House

was in a somewhat
precarious position a while ago.

Eviction was threatened, was it not?

Yes, it was a worrying time,
but, thankfully,

that ship has now steadied,
though our finances

- are still somewhat precarious.
- That is why I'm here, Sister.

I'd like to make a donation
on behalf of our company.

I was thinking
somewhere in the region of £ .

Mr Aylward...

I... I don't know quite what to say.
That's extremely generous.

It's the least I can do.

My wife's final days were
greatly eased by your midwife.

Your work is hugely beneficial.

I'd best be off.

I'm deputising for my father today,
but I am a barrister,

so if there's anything else
I can do to help,

- then please don't hesitate to ask.
- Thank you.

We are grateful to you, in our turn.

MAN: Thank you, Councillor.

Next, please.

Ah! Name?

Sister Frances.

Thank you, Sister. Lovely.
And what can I do for you?

Well, I'd like to apply to the
council for some charitable funding.

And what would the purpose be?

Well, we'd like to hold
a series of evening classes

to encourage the Asian mothers-to-be

living in Poplar to come to us
more regularly, at Nonnatus.

Oh. What sort of financial contribution

were you looking for?

Oh, I haven't done
a full breakdown yet.

Well...
SHE CLEARS THROAT

...we will need that
before we can proceed.

Have you had any of these meetings
yet? I mean, do we know

if they will be well
attended or not?

As ever, council funds are
overstretched, unfortunately.

Well, the first meeting is on
Monday, and we're covering the cost

ourselves, in the hope
that the council will help us

- if it's successful.
- Hmm.

You will, um, need to fill out
one of these...

...in triplicate.

Thank you, Sister.

Next!

BABY CRIES

Ah, Sister Frances! The leaflets
are ready for your perusal.

I think you'll find them
to your satisfaction.

I did have a little tussle
with the ink-roller earlier,

but I appear to have conquered it.

Miss Higgins,
these are almost professional.

- Thank you.
- My only problem now is

I have to find a translator
before this evening.

I'd be happy
to step into the breach.

My Punjabi may be
a little bit rusty, but, well,

I can do it to a level that
might be almost professional.

Manju is still in Sutak, but...

...we've brought you these as a gift.

They look delicious, Mrs Chawla,

and they smell even better.
Where's yours, Sister?

I'm only messin'!

I'm Sister Frances,

this is Nurse Anderson
and Pupil Midwife Corrigan.

MISS HIGGINS TRANSLATES

Thank you for coming.
This is our first meeting.

SHE TRANSLATES

We hope it won't be our last.

We're here to answer
all your questions.

SHE TRANSLATES

Our door is always open and we're
happy to welcome you inside.

SHE TRANSLATES

Please help yourselves to
refreshments, and then we'll start.

SHE TRANSLATES

That was very impressive,
Miss Higgins. Well done.

Even more proficient next time.

If there is a next time. I still
have to convince Sister Julienne

these classes are worth doing.
I'm not sure tonight's rather small

attendance will be enough.

Does anyone know
if Mrs Gupta's here?

Oh! Er, now, I took the liberty
of asking everyone

their names and addresses.

- No. There's no Mrs Gupta listed.
- That's a shame.

TRAIN APPROACHES

TRAIN CLATTERS OVERHEAD

GASPING BREATHS

Nurse Corrigan is just here
to assist today, Mrs Watson.

It's all part of her training.

Can you just pop up there for me?

I'd like to have a little feel
of your tummy first.

Are you in pain? It's just
a bit sore. It's nothing.

I think I should take a little look,
just to be on the safe side.

Can you slip your undergarments off?

I don't need all of this rigmarole.

It's just a bit of an itch.
It's best to be safe than sorry.

Thank you.

It looks like you have
an infection, Mrs Watson.

I'd like Dr Turner to take a look.
It does look very sore.

Nurse Corrigan, can you ask him
to come in here, please?

FIZZING

SHE COUGHS

DOOR OPENS

Sarita?

There. Breathe now.

WATER RUNS

SHE GASPS AND COUGHS

Drink.

Oh, Sarita, why do you do this? Why?

I love you,
but this cannot carry on.

You're going to hurt yourself
and the baby. Think of the baby.

I cannot stop thinking...

...of the train...

...the noise...

SHE SOBS

...the dirt... the dirt...

...and the baby...

...in the dirt...

...not moving!
SHE SOBS

What happened to you on that train
was a terrible thing.

You were a child during Partition.
We all were.

We saw things
children should never see.

But we are here now,
Sarita, and we are safe.

You are safe.

Right, Mrs Watson, you can
get yourself dressed again.

You have a severe vaginal infection,

so we're going to have to treat it
with a course of antibiotics.

Now, they should do it, but
we will need to keep a close eye.

We don't want anything
passed on to Baby.

Mrs Watson, I'm afraid
I have to ask you this.

Did you do anything
to hurt yourself?

Down there?

No! What do you think I am?
What kind of a question is that?

It looks as though you've used
something that wasn't very clean.

Is this the case?

I understand how difficult
this can be,

but we need to know
so that we can treat you properly.

Treat me? For what?

Not for what's wrong. You can't
give me a decent place to live

or enough money coming in every week

so I can keep the kids I've already
got. The damage is done.

Can you tell us
what you used, Mrs Watson?

TEARFULLY: A skewer, all right?

It was all I could find.

But I couldn't even
do that properly.

May I look at your hand, Mrs Watson?

No. No!

If that gets infected too,
you could become quite ill.

Cigarette burns?

I did it.

Is there anything else
you'd like to tell us?

We can't help you
if you don't tell us.

Nothing.

Nothing!

Will I be arrested?

Abortion is against the law,
Mrs Watson.

Now, there's nothing
to be gained for anyone

from me taking this any further,
but it is very important

that you know how dangerous
that was.

You could have injured yourself
very badly.

You could even have d*ed.

I... I love my kids...

...so much. This...this is not
because I don't...

We know that, Mrs Watson.

We know.

That burn and the bruise
on her face... her husband, I assume?

I would think so, yes,
though she won't ever say.

There are so many women
like Cherry Watson...

...at their wits' end.

In my opinion, this new bill
can't come quickly enough.

Hmm. If it goes through, Dr Turner.
There's a long way to go yet.

And, sadly, women like Mrs Watson
don't have the time

to wait for men in the Lords
to decide what's best for them.

So, ladies, yesterday's clinic.
Does anyone have anything

interesting to say about
the cases you observed?

This is your chance. Speak now
or forever hold your peace.

If I never see another
sample jar, it won't be too soon.

Sorry to disappoint.

I'd like to talk about
something that happened.

Go on.

Mrs Watson tried
to get rid of her own baby,

which is a criminal act,
but Dr Turner was sympathetic.

Yes, he was.
As were you, Nurse Franklin.

- Yes, I was.
- But that's not our job.

We have to be professional.
She broke the law.

We WERE being professional,
Nurse Corrigan.

We diagnosed her infection,
gave her the appropriate medication

and stressed how dangerous
her action was.

But we were also here
to listen and to understand.

Mrs Watson lives
in shocking poverty.

She's already got four children.
Her husband has no job

and beats her regularly. This is
a woman at the end of her tether.

Then why isn't she on the pill?

It's single women
that can't get the pill.

- There's no excuse if you're married.
- She was. It didn't suit her.

She might be Catholic.

There are other types of contraception.

Her husband hits her, Nurse Hopkiss.

He's the last person she can rely on.

I'd up and leave anyone
that treated me like that.

Well, perhaps,
but you're not in her situation.

We've all seen attempted abortions,

and we'll all see them
many times again

- unless there's a change in the law.
- But the law is the law now,

and we all have to follow it!
Or everything falls apart.

NANCY SIGHS

What's wrong, Sarita?

The baby...

...too quiet.

Come. We must go see a doctor.

Sarita, please.

The baby's fine, Mrs Gupta.
The heartbeat's strong.

Probably just having a little rest,
getting ready for its big day.

- Thank you. We were so worried.
- I'm sure.

Mrs Gupta, these chemicals can be
very dangerous when you mix them.

I would advise caution from now on.

Raj...

...I have to clean.

Floor will be filthy.
I must get rid of...

Rid of what, Mrs Gupta?

The blood.

Tell them, Sarita.
Tell them about the train.

What train?

The train from West Punjab
to East Punjab.

It was Partition, and Hindus
like us were put on trains

and forced to flee.

Train...

Filthy, dirty train.

Guards were shouting.

Shouting.

b*ating us.

Kicking us.

Hurting my mother.

Four of them.

Again and again and again.

Till she was quiet.

Then they...

Urinated on her mother.

Like animals.

Then they threw her from the train.

My aunt's baby...

...born on the train...

...on the dirty floor.

She screamed...

...but no-one came.

Baby...

...dead.

How old were you, Mrs Gupta?

Five.

We call what happened to you
a trauma.

You didn't cause it
or make it happen.

You were the victim of it.
Do you understand what that means?

It's not your fault.

And we will do everything we can
to help you and your baby.

And why did they have to flee?

The British had just announced
the Partition of India

into two parts... India and Pakistan.

Britain pulled out of India too fast

and utterly failed to see
the chaos that was coming

or the human cost of
their stupidity and arrogance.

- The poor woman is still paying for that.
- She was five.

Just a little younger
than Angela and May.

Doesn't bear thinking about.

Her obsessive cleaning
has obviously got worse

- since she became pregnant.
- You can understand why.

We're going to have to refer her
to a psychiatrist...

...but it's going to take time.
She's almost at term.

Sister Frances, I know that you've
been working with the Asian women,

so it might be appropriate

if you were involved
with her case from now on.

Of course, Dr Turner.
I'll do everything I can.

Morning! You're up and about early,
Nurse Franklin.

I'm after a copy of the Times.
I didn't want it to sell out.

Oh, no danger of that.
Most people have it on order.

Excellent.

Looking for anything in particular?

Possibly.

Well! Good for her!

For who?

- Nurse Franklin.
- Trixie?

She's written a letter to the Times

in support of the Abortion Reform Bill.

Oh, my goodness.

- Why did she do that?
- Because it's what she believes.

- Frankly, I applaud her.
- Well, you might, but I'm not sure

others will feel the same.
Read it out. What does it say?

"Dear Sir. I have been a midwife
for many years

"and I am writing this
in a personal capacity.

"These views are mine
and mine alone."

"I have seen first-hand
the terrible consequences

"of illegal terminations,
both for women and their families.

"Women in despair
about their circumstances,

"often through no fault
of their own,

"resort to desperate measures."

Oh, dear.

"These dangerous procedures,
carried out in unsafe environments,

"can lead to permanent damage
and often death."

FRED SIGHS

She's only saying
what she's seen, Fred.

What they've all seen.

The point is, should she be
saying it in a national paper?

She's for it now.

And so she should be.
It's not professional.

She's the one
meant to be teaching us.

- I hope you're not gossiping, ladies.
- No, Nurse Franklin.

And just to warn you, Limpet Street
is blocked with roadworks.

I know what you're all thinking,
but somebody had to say it,

and I stand by every word I said.

I made it very clear

I was speaking for myself
and not all of you.

That's as may be, lass,
but you work here, with the Sisters.

Yes, Mother Mildred,
I'm afraid I have seen it.

I believe she wrote it a week ago.

Trixie!

Lucille! Lucille...

- Caught you!
- Can't talk for long.

I have a list of calls
as long as my arm.

HE CHUCKLES
Did you see the Times?

Yes, I did. We've all seen it.

It made me think. About what?

The things you've seen

and how hard it must be
to make sense of them.

Sometimes, yes. But all I can do
is be guided by my own conscience.

- And that's what Trixie's doing now.
- Hmm.

Your blood pressure's
completely normal, Mrs Gupta.

That's a very good sign.

And it looks like
Baby's getting itself ready.

They're very clever
when it comes to being born.

If we listen to Baby,
it'll tell us what to do.

Have you thought about
where you'd like to give birth?

You could have Baby here.
It would be perfectly safe,

and Dr Turner and I will
stay with you the whole time.

Or we could arrange for you
to come into our maternity home.

We'll do whatever
feels safest to you.

Maternity home.

Is there enough water
in the kettle for another cup?

Sorry. You'll have to fill it up.

Nancy, I can't help feeling
you're angry about my letter.

I'm not angry about the letter.

But you are angry?

Can I help in any way?

No.

Thank you, but... no.

SHE SIGHS

BABY CRIES

MRS WATSON: Hush now! Stop crying,
that's a good girl.

Oh, I've got to answer the door.

Good morning, Mrs Watson.
I've come to check you over and

to make sure the antibiotics
are doing the trick.

I'm sorry about all the mess.

Oh, don't worry about it.
I'm hardly Miss Tidy!

You should see my dressing table.

I know I should be waiting for
your evening surgery, Mrs Buckle,

but this is rather urgent,

and I wanted you to have it
as soon as possible.

Well, I suppose I can
make an exception this once,

but don't make a habit
of it, Sister.

BOTH LAUGH

Apologies. That just slipped out.

It's looking much better,
but keep taking the antibiotics.

You have to finish the course.

Would it help if I had a word
with social services?

Why?

Well, you're not going to
tell them, are you? You can't.

They'll take my kids away.

I know that sounds stupid...

...considering what I tried
to do, but...

Mrs Watson, there is no doubt in
my mind that you love your children.

- Do you mean that?
- I do. What I'm saying is

I could talk to social services
about your housing situation.

There could be an argument
for having you rehoused.

It might ease
some of your difficulties.

Would you do that?

Yes, though I can't promise
it will have an effect.

What I can't do is change
the other things in your life.

He's not a bad man.

He's just...

...lost.

And he does love me...

...in his way.

Why do you think
I keep falling pregnant?

You could go back on the pill
when the baby comes.

- Couldn't get on with it.
- There are other types. We could

- try you on a different one.
- Why are you doing this for me?

It's my job, Mrs Watson.

- Do you have midwives like us?
- Not in uniform, like yours,

but there are women in our villages

who are called dais, who bring
our babies into the world.

We want to learn more
about your traditions.

There are many different ones, all
over India. In the Punjab, the cord

is cut with a special Kn*fe
then rubbed with melted ghee.

Er...

Do not worry, er, he not stay.

I am.

Thank you for coming, Mrs Gupta.

MUSIC: I'll Be There
be Gerry and the Pacemakers

♪ Don't you,
don't you worry, darling

♪ Don't you know I'll be there?

♪ I'll be there

♪ When all your dreams are broken

♪ Answer your unspoken prayer

♪ I'll be there. ♪

"Ah," said Willy,
rubbing his hands together

before he gently taps on the door.

"Who is tapping at my door?"
said Granny.

"It is Red Riding Hood with cakes
and wine. Please let me in..."

HE SIGHS

DOOR CLOSES
...in a sugary voice

he thought resembled
Red Riding Hood.

BICYCLE BELL RINGS

Oh! How was it?

- Good, I think.
- It was very good, Phyllis.

Sister Frances is far too modest
to take any credit.

Well, we did learn about some of
their customs tonight.

They told us that Punjabi mothers
dip their finger in black powder

just after Baby's born

and put a little black dot
behind its ear, for protection.

As customs go,
that's a very nice one.

- Did Mrs Gupta come?
- She did.

Good. Baby steps, eh?

The baby...

...is coming.

We've got the room
all ready for you, Mrs Gupta.

Dr Turner's coming, too.

We'll take good care
of you and Baby, I promise.

Oh, Mr Gupta, you'll have to wait
out here for now, I'm afraid.

I will not move. Not one inch.

You must move. And you must eat.

Right. Ready?

You are doing so well, Sarita.

That's it. Breathe. Just breathe.

Well done.

Now let's get you back up on the bed
so I can examine you.

The sheet...

It's just fluid from
when your waters broke.

It's nothing to worry about.

But we'll change it
and put a clean one on.

I'll do it now.

Thank you.

Sarita, you're eight centimeters
dilated. That's very good.

This baby's so keen to meet
its mother now. Not long to go.

DOOR CLOSES

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

It's going well, Mr Gupta.
Your wife is coping much better

than any of us could have expected.
You should be very proud of her.

Sarita, I can see that Baby's head
is nearly here.

So on the next contraction,
I need you to give me a big push

and Baby will be here.
Just one more push.

You can be as loud as you want.
Let it all out. Nearly there.

That's it, Sarita,
big push! Big push!

Just one more.

One more.

BABY CRIES

You've got a little boy,
Sarita, a perfect little boy.

You did it, Sarita. You did it.

It's a boy, Mr Gupta.
Would you like to see him?

He's beautiful.

Like his mother.

Powder, Raj.

- He is safe now.
- He is.

Sister Monica Joan took a message
for you today. It was by the phone.

From the BBC?
Surely she's got that wrong.

She's written down the name.
I think she's got it very right.

It must be something to do
with your letter.

Oh, my goodness.
What am I going to do?

SHE SIGHS

- Phyllis...
- Mm-hm?

Can I ask your
advice about something?

Of course. Always happy
to give advice,

wanted or otherwise.

I've been invited
onto a BBC radio programme

to discuss David Steel's
Abortion Reform Bill.

I see!

I've been invited as myself,
not as a midwife from Nonnatus,

so I'd be representing
myself entirely.

The letter caused
enough consternation,

so I'm well aware this might be
the straw, so to speak.

Do you want to do it, lass?

Yes, I do.

- You'll need Sister Julienne's blessing.
- I know.

And I'm well aware
she might not give it.

I would very much like to do it.

Of course, if you'd prefer
that I didn't,

I would abide by your wishes.

I'd hate to do anything
to bring the Order into disrepute.

The decision is not mine
but Mother Mildred's.

As you know, she was extremely
concerned about your letter.

I assume you would be participating

in this radio programme
as an individual

and not as a midwife
from Nonnatus House.

Absolutely.

Sometimes I envy
young women like you,

young women who may not have a deep
faith but have strong convictions,

convictions they're free to follow.
I have made a choice, however,

to live both in the service
of God and my patients.

Most of the time,
there's little conflict.

But on occasion, they pull
in different directions,

and that pull can be very strong.

In the end,
in matters of conscience...

...my faith will always come first.

I understand, Sister.

I will speak to Mother Mildred
on your behalf.

Thank you.

Would you like a lift
to the studio, lass?

- Phyllis, I...
- I'm going that way anyway.

You're not putting me out.
Not one bit.

Then I would like it very much.

RADIO CRACKLES

RADIO: ...our listeners
a thought-provoking debate

on a topic that has divided the nation

and, indeed, members
of the same household,

the Abortion Reform Bill.

In the studio today,
we have a live...

RADIO CRACKLES

I'm nervous, Vi, so I don't know
how she must be feeling.

Well, speaking as someone who's
very experienced in public speaking,

Fred, once she gets going,
she'll be fine.

RADIO: ...controversial views on...

Speaking as a lawyer,
I see no reason whatsoever

to reform the current abortion law.

It functions perfectly well
as it is.

Precisely. If this bill is approved,

then doctors will feel pressure
to use it. The floodgates will open.

I think you'll find...
My concern goes further.

The champions of this bill say it is
to allow for women in situations of

social or mental distress
to be considered for termination.

But does this not give doctors
the right to dictate

which women may or may not
be suitable to have children?

- They're not letting her speak!
- This is a power beyond, surely.

Yes. What happens if society doesn't

approve of a certain type
of women, of how they live?

Then will doctors be encouraged
to terminate these pregnancies?

No, of course not!

No doctor would subject a patient
to a medical procedure

that carries risks unless they felt
it was necessary.

No doctor would consider
termination lightly.

It's very often the last resort.
These changes are being proposed

to allow doctors to use
their professional discretion

when faced with women
in desperate straits

and to stop them from being
castigated as criminals.

Most babies are loved and wanted,

but there are women
who find themselves in situations

that are harmful to their health
and to their sanity.

They simply cannot cope.
They are living

in dreadful social conditions
with no hope and no money.

How can that be beneficial
to any child?

Then change the conditions.
Give them better housing, more jobs.

Allow them to bring
their children up in safety.

Why can't we do both? I'm not here
to speak for all midwives,

just for myself, and all I know
is what I've seen,

women bleeding to death
in dirty rooms,

up back alleys, women desperate
to avoid the stigma of

an unplanned baby.
And there IS still stigma!

I know that this is
a question of conscience,

and my conscience tells me
that this bill should pass!

Oh... Well, did you hear it?

We did.

CYRIL: She spoke well.

She was very brave.

Yes, she was.

But those men!

How dare they? They haven't
got a clue what it's like

when you have to make the hardest
decision of your whole life.

But I have.

Why, what happened?

I didn't have an abortion.

I didn't even know
what an abortion was.

I had a baby.

Don't look at me like that.

Nurse Corrigan...

...come with me, please.

When did this happen?

In Cork...

...when I was .

At the orphanage?

- Yeah.
- I see.

It wasn't a prison!
We could get out sometimes.

I was one of the nuns'
success stories until then.

They presented you to us
as one of their success stories.

They couldn't be seen to fail.

Besides, the Catholic Church
is good at managing misfortunes.

Or covering them up.

What happened to the baby?

She was sent to a London orphanage
run by the Order

called Fatima Lodge.

A couple of the Sisters in Cork
who were on my side,

they arranged that
instead of adoption.

And when I got the chance
to train as a nurse over here...

...I couldn't get on the boat
fast enough.

Nurse Corrigan...

...did the Sisters
who brought you here,

who asked us to give you lodging
and look after you,

did... did they know this?

Course they knew!
But nobody knows everything.

Colette thinks I'm her sister.

- Colette being your daughter?
- Yes.

How often do you see her?

I'm allowed to visit once a month,
but only on Saturday afternoons.

So if I have ever had
a Saturday afternoon off,

I've been to see her then.

And where did you tell us
you were going?

To see the nuns.

- It was only a bit of a lie.
- Lies are lies, Nurse Corrigan.

All I've ever wanted is to make
a respectable life for myself...

...because if I can do that...

...then I can make a life
for my daughter, too.

Those Sisters falsified
your character references

and your professional references.

I don't know of a single hospital
in London

who would knowingly employ
an unmarried mother

or, indeed, admit her
to a training course.

Can you not use your discretion?

Nurse Corrigan...

...there is my discretion
and there are principles,

and, as yet, I do not know
how they can be reconciled.

You may go
while I consider the matter.

MATURE JENNIFER:
Secrets can maim us.

Shame can close us off.

What we bury drags us down,

and there can be no flight from it.

Speak. Speak up.

Speak out.

Find the words to express
the facts that matter.

Bring them out into the light,
into the air.

Hiding heals nothing.

Silence saves no-one.

When we are heard,
we can be acknowledged.

When we are known, we can belong.

Bound together, we are stronger
and braver than we know.

Alone, we are fragile,

at the mercy of the storm.

Lisbon Buildings has always been
a byword for filth.

And I can still have my sister
with me for the birth?

She's the one who'll be
adopting the baby.

- Nancy!
- What are you up to?

If you're thinking of kissing me
here in the street, Cyril Robinson,

I advise you against it.

Every single item goes to the
council fumigator to be stoved.