Drama following the lives of a group of midwives working in the poverty-stricken East End of London during the 1950s, based on the best-selling memoirs of Jennifer Worth.
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Nonnatus House struggles to come to terms with Nancy’s revelation. With Sister Julienne taking her annual leave at the Mother House, Sister Hilda relishes the chance to cover and impress with her leadership. While attending an expectant mother, Sister Frances and Trixie are appalled to learn that Poplar’s housing crisis is worsening, leaving the Nonnatus team vowing to fight for change. It’s a poignant time for the Turner family as Timothy readies to leave for medical school in Edinburgh and Cyril receives news from home, prompting him and Lucille to consider their own future. Meanwhile, a very special baby is born, who causes a rift in a close-knit family and leads many people to count their blessings.
The episode was rated 8.31 from 105 votes.
Dr Turner is horrified to realise he may be partly to blame as the cause of the recent rise in birth deformities comes to light, and tries to prevent further cases. Sister Evangelina returns to work, but has clearly been affected badly by her stroke, and her health continues to deteriorate. A pregnant bride goes into labour during her wedding reception, while her mother is forced to come to terms with her grandchild being conceived out of wedlock.
The episode was rated 8.28 from 288 votes.
An unexpected turn of events leads to a wedding being hastily arranged. Shelagh finally goes into labour. The arrival of the pill leads to unforeseen consequences.
The episode was rated 8.21 from 435 votes.
At the Turners, Shelagh receives a phone call from the Hong Kong adoption agency, which has the alarming news that someone from May's past has arrived in the UK and wants to see the little girl.
The episode was rated 8.20 from 146 votes.
Nonnatus House welcomes two new nuns. Valerie deals with a shocking case that arrives unexpectedly, and the other midwives must handle a complicated multiple birth.
The episode was rated 8.19 from 216 votes.
Jenny is assigned to first-time mother Jeanette, who requires frequent visits during a protracted labour, and when she meets her patient's cousin, Philip, a new friendship begins to grow for the midwife. Meanwhile, Chummy worries about her mother's illness when she discovers Lady Browne has discharged herself from hospital.
The episode was rated 8.15 from 182 votes.
The winds of change are blowing through Poplar, as a new government paper calls for the eradication of small hospitals in favour of large general hospitals. Dr Turner and Shelagh are informed that an inspection of the maternity home will decide its fate.
The episode was rated 8.13 from 437 votes.
Sister Julienne decides it is time to take matters in hand when a letter arrives from the council saying that it will cut funding to Nonnatus House and no longer pay for the accommodation, and goes to see Violet at one of her open sessions as a local councillor.
The episode was rated 8.13 from 165 votes.
Dr Turner gets involved with a troubled young man, and Lucille makes new friends. Meanwhile, Barbara lies ill in hospital.
The episode was rated 8.10 from 245 votes.
The convent comes under threat of demolition. Fred's pregnant daughter and her young son come and stay with him. Jenny is wooed by a new love interest. Chummy and PC Noakes prepare for the arrival of their baby.
The episode was rated 8.10 from 207 votes.
The team must rally to prepare for Sister Monica Joan's birthday. Meanwhile, the closing of a nearby maternity home brings an influx of expectant mothers to the Nonnatus midwives.
The episode was rated 8.09 from 241 votes.
It’s September 1966, and at clinic Trixie is tasked with examining a desperate woman who is pregnant with her fifth child. Trixie learns that her patient’s personal life is far from stable, compelling her to speak out publicly. However, the results garner mixed reactions from Nonnatus House and the community. Dr Turner and Sister Frances are entrusted to help a mother-to-be who refuses medical care through her final weeks of pregnancy, and Nancy Corrigan reveals a secret about her background that could threaten her relationship with Sister Julienne and Nonnatus House.
The episode was rated 8.08 from 108 votes.
Nonnatus House welcomes a new recruit, Nurse Valerie Dyer. A vulnerable young man captures Fred and Violet's hearts, whilst the whereabouts of Sister Mary Cynthia is a concern.
The episode was rated 8.08 from 423 votes.
An explosion at the docks brings heartache to the people of Poplar, whilst Sister Ursula continues to ruffle feathers with her unpopular decisions.
The episode was rated 8.06 from 385 votes.
An expectant mother with financial struggles enters into a painful arrangement with her cousin. As Tom provides pastoral care, he reveals why this case touched him more than most.
The episode was rated 8.05 from 425 votes.
Sister Julienne and Dr Turner clash over whether to provide a private care service, and a distressing birth raises fears of another Thalidomide case.
The episode was rated 8.04 from 112 votes.
Barbara treats a pregnant woman whose dockworker husband is struggling to support her as opportunities for work dry up. She is forced into a difficult decision that leaves Barbara facing the biggest test of her career. Nurse Crane meets a kindred spirit when she learns to speak Spanish, and Sister Evangelina helps a woman with breastfeeding, leading to unforeseen consequences.
The episode was rated 8.03 from 259 votes.
Poplar is rocked by a series of violent attacks on women, and a prostitute is too ashamed to report what she knows - but her actions lead to a dangerous man roaming the streets, with devastating consequences for the residents of Nonnatus House. A mother tries to keep her daughter's pregnancy a secret to avoid gossip, putting her life in danger. The Turners go on a long overdue holiday, but the weather ruins their plans.
The episode was rated 8.03 from 283 votes.
The team reunite but all is not well when a change of management shakes up Nonnatus House.
The episode was rated 8.03 from 434 votes.
Doctor Turner is concerned by the spread of tuberculosis in the community, Jenny tries to repair a father and daughter's fractured relationship, and Sister Bernadette receives devastating news.
The episode was rated 8.02 from 191 votes.
Last updated: feb 10, 2023
