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(PEOPLE CLAMOURING)
(TROLLEY WHEELS SQUEALING)
(WOLF WHISTLE)
(CONVERSING INDISTINCTLY)
(STEAM WHISTLE BLOWING)
(ARGUING INDISTINCTLY)
Who do you think you are, eh? Who do you think you are?
Come on, then! Come on!
(CLAMOURING)
MATURE JENNY: I must have been mad.
I could have been an air hostess.
I could have been a model.
I could have moved to Paris or been a concert pianist.
I could have seen the world, been brave, followed my heart.
But I didn't.
I side-stepped love
and set off for the East End of London,
because I thought it would be easier.
Madness was the only explanation.
(ARGUING AND CLAMOURING CONTINUES)
I am not a ***!
Only 'cause he never paid ya!
Well, I had him weeping with gratitude!
Yeah, well, he's my husband!
I'll bloody kill him once I've finished with you!
(CROWD YELLING)
CONSTABLE: Ladies, lay off it! Pack it in.
Come on!
(YELLING CONTINUES)
WOMAN: That's it! Go on!
CONSTABLE: Come on, girls. Break it up now...
(BLOWING WHISTLE)
Right! Which one of you ladies is my patient?
Pearl Winston. Why am I not surprised?
Constable, Mrs Winston would appreciate your tunic.
And don't get any blood on it.
It's seen worse.
-Tart! -Wicked ***!
MATURE JENNY: Midwifery is the very stuff of life.
Every child is conceived in love, or ***,
and born in pain followed by joy,
or by tragedy and anguish.
Every birth is attended by a midwife.
She is in the thick of it.
She sees it all.
(BABY CRYING)
I knew nothing of poverty or appalling housing,
nothing of lice, of filth,
of families sleeping four to a bed,
and nothing of the passion that brings on baby after baby,
labour after labour.
I knew nothing of life itself.
(RINGING)
Hello. I'm Jennifer Lee.
I was told to report to the matron in charge.
Venus and Saturn are now in alignment.
It is entirely appropriate that you should appear!
Welcome to Nonnatus House.
What do you suppose that is?
One hears of visitors from realms apart from ours.
I think it's an aeroplane.
From the extreme height of your heels,
I deduce that you are not a nun.
Are you a nun?
We are the Sisters of St Raymond Nonnatus,
midwives and district nurses, present at life's commencement
and at its end.
I assume you are possessed of the appropriate credentials?
I'm a trained nurse. And I've just qualified as a midwife.
The blooms upon this table are my especial care.
Dear St Raymond Nonnatus,
happy survivor of Caesarean section.
I feel we are prompted to go in search of cake.
They think they can conceal things from me.
But they are not sharp enough.
I, you see, am attuned to feel vibrations.
Only last week, I found a Battenburg hidden inside a Rinso box.
You must have another slice.
Ooh, I'm almost full.
You are young, you can never be filled.
You have an appetite for life.
(DOOR OPENS)
Ah, hello. You must be Nurse Lee. I'm Sister Julienne.
This is Nurse Miller and Nurse Franklin,
who will be your colleagues.
-Hello. -Pleased to meet you.
Actually, "pleased" doesn't fully cover it.
We're perfectly thrilled to have some reinforcements!
I'm sorry we're late, clinic was busy.
I see you've already met Sister Monica Joan.
Yes, I have.
We'll take care of the formalities later.
I'm sure that first you'd like some tea and cake.
I think you'll find, Sister Julienne, there is no cake!
Sister Evangelina, may I introduce Nurse Lee?
There is nothing in this pot but crumbs!
But Mrs B made one this morning!
I saw her when I came in from my delivery in Mitre Street!
I know she did! And it was coconut,
which is a very insinuating ingredient,
liable to smear itself all over the consumer's face!
MONICA JOAN: Are you talking to me?
You must calm yourself, my dear.
You are turning quite scarlet.
-Our newcomer was hungry. -Oh!
Nurse Franklin, go into the kitchen.
You might seek out something else to eat.
I seem to recall a packet of Gypsy Creams.
Let's hope Mrs B has put a lock on the tin!
I bet the newcomer had one slice and you ate all the rest!
If I were a dog, she would not be satisfied
until I had slunk beneath the table with my tail between my legs.
How you all foam and fret.
I shall retire to my chamber and see you all at Compline.
Come in.
Sister Monica Joan was one of the first midwives to qualify in England.
Her family did not approve of her career choice,
nor did they support her and her entry into religious life.
It is our privilege to care for her.
I see...
It's just...
I ate at least four slices of that cake,
-and I didn't realise I was coming to a convent. -(LAUGHS)
Oh, dear! Did you get a dreadful fright?
I thought it was a small private hospital.
(CHUCKLES) Oh...
Well, I do hope you won't run away!
Do you have a faith, Nurse Lee?
Not really. I'm Church of England.
We're Anglican, too.
The way you worship is your own affair.
We wear the habit, you wear your uniform.
But we are all nurses first, and midwives foremost.
I'm just back from Mrs Driscoll.
Baby's turned, no longer breech!
-Sister Bernadette, this is Nurse Lee. -Oh, greetings!
She's only in early first-stage labour,
so I gave her chloral hydrate and left her to sleep.
-Thank you, Sister. Do try and get some rest. -I'll see to these first.
(TOOLS CLATTERING)
I can never down tools till I'm all set up and ready to go again!
Now, a maternity box is sent to the mother's home two weeks before the due date.
These are the tools you will carry yourself.
Tin box for soap and nailbrush.
Canvas case, containing scissors, dressings, forceps.
Do continue.
Gauze, sterile. Gauze, idioform.
Pinard. Enema funnel. Enema syringe.
*** tube...
Glass?
And second *** tube in case the first one breaks. Also glass.
You are charged with this now. Guard it well.
And we will make no further mention of the cake.
(CHUCKLES)
(BICYCLE BELL RINGING)
(CHILDREN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
-Are you all right, Miss? -Oh, yes!
Glorious day.
Mrs Warren?
Mrs Warren?
(DISTANT INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)
Hello?
(BABY BABBLES)
Hello?
(CHILDREN TALKING NEARBY)
(ALL SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
It's all your. Yeah.
(STAMMERING)
I'm looking for Mrs Warren.
(ALL QUIET DOWN)
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
-(SPEAKING SPANISH) -(CHILDREN RESUME CONVERSATIONS)
I'm awfully sorry, I'm afraid I don't speak Spanish, Mrs Warren.
She's saying, "Welcome to our home."
It's all right. She knows the drill.
JENNY: How many previous pregnancies have you had, Mrs Warren?
(BOTH SPEAKING SPANISH)
Twenty-two pregnancies, but she had two sets of twins.
There's 24 of us altogether.
Twenty-four?
But you've hardly got any stretch marks!
I don't know the word for that so I can't translate it.
I'll need to ask your mother some questions so we can establish dates.
When did you last have a period, Mrs Warren?
I can't ask her that, she's me mum!
(DOOR CLOSES)
(ROARING PLAYFULLY) How are you darling, all right?
MAUREEN: Dad! Is that you?
The nurse is here and she's asking really embarrassing questions!
You can come down here and see to Denise.
Ooh! Needs her drawers changing, don't you, my little dove?
(WARREN KISSES)
(BABY CRYING)
-You behave yourself. -(BABY WAILING)
Let's sort you out, shall we? I reckon she's new.
MAUREEN: Oh, yeah...
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
You're even lovelier than when you first got up this morning.
I'm afraid I need to ask your wife some questions
of a personal nature, Mr Warren.
Do you need to know about her periods?
Well... Yes. I do.
Well, she ain't had none of them in years.
She's had all the babies one after the other.
When do you reckon it's due, then?
Er, 12 or 13 weeks, I think.
WARREN: Well, don't let us hold you up, Nurse.
That's all we need to know.
This is a booking-in visit.
I'm supposed to advise the expectant mother on diet
and hygiene in the home.
I've got some leaflets.
WARREN: Don't you worry about us, Nurse.
We've had 24 babies, haven't we?
We ain't never lost one yet.
I didn't know where to turn, or how to take my leave...
They seemed completely unconcerned!
About the pregnancy, or the mess?
The pregnancy and the mess! They only had eyes for each other.
Exactly. And look where it's got them.
And how can anyone have 24 children and still look so young?
Now you've opened a lovely jar of worms.
Because she was 14 when she had her first!
She may even have been younger.
Mr Warren brought her back from the Spanish Civil War.
Most men would be happy with some enemy binoculars.
(SISTERS CHUCKLING)
She was his beaker full of the warm South.
"With beaded bubbles winking at the brim."
Ugh.
I know not why you seek to scorn me, I am merely quoting Keats.
I delivered Conchita's last little girl. And do you know,
Mr Warren never left her side?
What? A father stayed in the room?
If I was a policeman I would ask questions.
MONICA JOAN: A policeman did ask questions.
She was of interest to us when she disembarked at Tilbury.
But the Rector wanted them married,
so every legal obstacle was simply waved away.
See? I am not deemed capable of coherent recollection.
But some things are etched upon my membrane,
they are preserved like...
Like watermarks on vellum.
(CHUCKLES)
-(PHONE RINGS) -Oh! Come on. Stir your stumps.
I'm first call and you're coming with me.
(RINGING CONTINUES)
(CONVERSING INDISTINCTLY)
There are between 80 and 100 babies born each month in Poplar.
Soon as one vacates its pram, another one takes its place!
And thus it was and ever shall be,
until such time as they invent a magic potion to put a stop to it.
WOMAN: Sister Evangelina.
Afternoon!
-(BABY COOING) -(CHILDREN SHOUTING)
Midwives!
(DOOR OPENS)
She's upstairs in bed.
The pains are every 10 minutes, and I've got the hot water on.
Cup of tea, Sister Evangelina?
We shall have one apiece,
and put some extra condensed milk in Nurse Lee's.
She's very junior and needs to keep her strength up.
That is, unless you've any cake.
Peg, go down to the shops and fetch some Devon Splits.
-Fresh cream or artificial? -(SCOFFS)
Can I have a bottle of pale ale?
-Don't you push your luck. -(WOMEN LAUGH)
Cheeky beggar!
You, me, your mother, Nurse Lee.
Anybody else coming up those stairs will have me to answer to.
Thanks.
My sister's come over, and then me friend Dot, and me Auntie Peg!
I have prepared the razor. Nurse Lee will give you a shave.
I did it myself, this morning. After I had the show.
You shaved yourself?
(CHUCKLES) I know the drill, Sister. This is my fourth!
I suppose you gave yourself an enema to boot?
I don't want an enema. It's not dignified!
If you were that keen on your dignity, you wouldn't be here now.
Blasted chimney!
High, hot and a hell of a lot!
I hope you're ready with that po.
(SOBBING)
Oh... (GURGLING)
Excuse me, Nurse. Is that the afterbirth?
No. Baby isn't here yet.
Oh. Fair enough.
Only, when you're done and dusted,
I'd like the afterbirth to take down the allotment.
-Oh. -Brings my tomatoes on lovely.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(GROANING)
And... There go the waters!
Splendid. Nurse Lee, we will change the bed.
No, you stay where you are. Nurse Lee and I will roll you.
-(GROANS) -That's it.
I'm fed up with having babies. I'm only 23!
(GROANING)
There's newspaper under here!
Well, saves on laundry and lets the mattress live another day.
(SIGHS DISGUSTEDLY)
You're not in a hospital now, with cupboards full of spotless linen.
Oh, come on. It's quicker to do it myself!
Look, get rid of that.
And sort that fire out, it's not drawing properly.
JENNY: Yes, Sister.
Nurse Lee?
-Yes? -You stick with me, love.
I'm an old hand.
(TICKING)
(STRAINING)
-(PANTING) -Well done, you. Well done.
I can see the baby's head!
-(SIGHS HAPPILY) -Now...
We're going to turn you onto your side, into the correct position for delivery,
and then I want you to listen to Nurse Lee.
That's the way.
Excellent! Right knee tucked up under the chin.
That's it. Good girl.
See how it all comes flooding back?
(STRAINING)
(MURIEL EXHALES)
Little push now, Muriel. Little push, don't push too hard.
(STRAINING)
JENNY: And that's it! The head is born.
MURIEL: Is it nearly here?
Yes, it is.
You're almost done.
(STRAINING)
JENNY: Well done.
Well done.
Well done, well done. Well done.
(MURIEL GROANING)
And that's it! (LAUGHS)
You have a little boy!
(LAUGHING)
JENNY: I'm that proud of you, I could burst!
-(SNIFFLING) -(BABY CRYING)
-(BRICKS CRUMBLING) -(ALL COUGHING)
-MURIEL: What's happening? -(COUGHING CONTINUES)
MOTHER: I'll swing for that bleedin' sweep!
(ALL COUGHING)
Is he all right? Is he all right?
Baby's in fine fettle. He's fast asleep.
(LAUGHS)
(ALL CHUCKLING AND COUGHING)
I meanwhile am lathered in soot, right down to my drawers.
Me too.
I haven't got any on! (LAUGHS)
(ALL LAUGHING)
We need to clamp and cut the cord, Nurse Lee.
Why the delay?
-I'm sorry. -Come along.
Sometimes we need to deal with what the Lord has sent us.
Oh, bravo! All pink and white again.
Still, they always say soot is good, clean dirt.
The soot was the least of my worries.
I've never seen conditions like it.
Quite! The first time I saw an East End bathroom, I actually shook.
Bathroom? You were lucky!
Hmm! Little did I know!
I mean, tap on the tenement landing, some of them.
But Sister Evangelina never turns a hair.
She grew up very poor.
-Somewhere near Reading. -(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
-MAN: Are you decent? -We're all in our unmentionables,
the sight will make your day.
This is Fred, our handyman.
You won't be able to resist his charm. Good day off yesterday?
Well, I've had better.
Um...
Do you like toffee apples?
(CHUCKLING SOFTLY)
Not really.
I'm thinking of going into toffee apples.
Fred has a wide range of sidelines, some of which are actually legal.
You can keep your aspersions to yourself, young madam.
I'm not complaining. We thoroughly enjoyed your alcoholic ginger beer.
It was just a shame you sold some to those children. (CHUCKLING)
There's no point in discussing it, for you cannot understand.
Brewing is a science. There was error of exactitude.
(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING)
(BOTH SCREAM)
I can still smell cabbage from the pensioners' luncheon club.
And one week, we were weighing babies
and there was still an old man in the corner finishing off his mince.
Not to mention Madame Enid's dancing class comes in at half past five.
It's twins!
Sorry.
(KNOCKS ON DOOR)
Have you come to see Mum? We're about to have our tea.
(CONCHITA SPEAKING SPANISH)
She says, "Eat up. Eat up." Do as you're told.
There are no plates.
We never use them. Tuck in, Nurse!
(ALL SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
Cor, that don't half pen and ink, nurse.
I don't know why you're bothering.
Conchita's ankles are swollen.
When that happens we have to check for a condition called pre-eclampsia,
by looking for signs of protein in the urine.
Pre-eclampsia? Is that the same as toxaemia?
Yes. It is.
Well, then you ain't got to bother with the test, Nurse.
Sister Bernadette always says you can't get toxaemia except with your first and second.
We're on our 25th.
Conchita's ankles are swollen.
Well, Sister Bernadette used to say that
it was 'cause she was on her feet.
Perhaps you could persuade Conchita to lie down for an hour or so each day,
with her legs slightly elevated.
I'll tell Maureen to tell her.
I take my hat off to the kids. I mean, even the nippers can do it.
I was never much good with the foreign lingo.
You don't speak Spanish?
No, there's never no need, no.
Conchita and me, we understand each other.
(BABIES CRYING)
Hello, Muriel.
Hello, Pearl. Long time no see.
I've just come in for my check-up. He's my fourth.
That's a lovely hat, you can pass it my way once his head gets too big.
Your youngest's just weed on the floor.
Yeah, I know. We're toilet-training him
but it's all right, he ain't got no pants to wet.
Mrs Winston.
Keep an eye on them for me, will you?
(SCOFFS)
Ah, first lie down I've had all day. (SIGHS)
I see you're 32 weeks pregnant.
I shall need you to do a urine sample for me.
Oh, can't you just examine me first?
I've only just got comfy.
I keep having twinges, on and off.
Well, let's take a look at you, shall we?
I've got some shocking discharge.
Heels to bottom, knees nice and wide apart.
Are you aware of this?
Little lump in my downbelows?
Yeah, it's been there a while.
I can't really reach it now.
Your face!
You reckon I've got a dose, don't you?
I'll have to check with someone more senior.
(SCRUBBING)
I'm afraid the lump in her *** appears to be a syphilitic chancre.
Other symptoms support the diagnosis.
And of course the foetus is at risk.
Dr Turner is already on his way.
I imagine he will prescribe a course of penicillin.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
Nurse?
You won't catch anything.
How could she not have known?
How could she have felt that thing and never cared?
Pearl Winston isn't accustomed to caring.
Or, indeed, being cared about.
How can you be so calm?
When I was new to district practice,
I often found it hard to conquer my revulsion.
I'm sorry.
I didn't know people lived like this.
But they do.
And it's why we're here.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
There is frost fingering its way beneath the door into the hall.
You must take these into bed with you.
You are young, you see, and your vibrations will stimulate the corms.
They were mistaken into thinking spring had come.
I am very much afraid that they will die.
And the demise of something barely born goes against
the sacred nature of our calling.
Sister Monica Joan?
What about the bowl?
But it would be missed.
By Sister Evangelina!
I am sure we do not wish to unleash the beast.
Aagh!
Dr Turner wanted you to start the injections straightaway.
He'll need to see your husband, too,
and arrange the same treatments for him.
Where are you going to put the needle? Leg or ***?
In your bottom, I'm afraid.
(GRUNTS)
I should have been a stripper!
I mean, at least I'd have met a better class of man.
Ooh!
(BABY CRIES)
(CALLS OUT SOFTLY)
(CALLING OUT)
(CRYING GETS LOUDER)
(GRUNTS)
Mum? Mama? Mama?
Mum!
Mum!
(CRYING)
Help! Mum!
Help!
(DOOR OPENS)
Room service!
Strictly entre nous, I could *** a Dubonnet.
But we're both on call, so Horlicks is our lot.
Did you find it hard, when you first came here?
I thought I deserved all manner of medals!
Up all night. Cycling for miles.
A wall of wimples at every single meal time.
And then one day I realised.
I didn't deserve any medals at all.
The mothers are the brave ones.
Baby after baby, in abominable conditions, and they keep on going.
They're the heroines.
I'm just here to help.
You will find your feet.
You ought to come out with Cynthia and I.
They have these tremendous dances, down at the church hall.
Unless, of course, you already have a chap.
No.
I thought you might be pining after some beastly absentee boyfriend.
No.
Are you sure?
There's a look about you, that's all.
A look that only the lovelorn have.
I've loved someone since I was 17.
But I can't have him.
And I can't give him up.
So until I can do that,
no one else will stand a chance.
(PHONE RINGS)
Nonnatus House. Nurse Lee speaking.
Conchita took a tumble in the yard.
We think she's got concussion.
Mr Warren, you should call the doctor, not a midwife!
No, we keep calling but we can't get any answer.
Can you get her to a hospital?
No, you can't see hand in front of your face out here.
It's you we need now, not him.
She's in labour.
Waters are still intact. The pains are about every five minutes.
Mr Warren must know labour when he sees it.
The birth won't be remarkable, but such a premature baby is unlikely to survive,
even if the ambulance arrives on time.
But has it been sent for?
The whole obstetrics flying squad are on their way.
Dr Turner will meet you at the house.
Have you delivered a stillborn baby before?
In training.
Under supervision.
I should go with her.
No. I have a complex case to go to,
and who knows what else the night might bring?
CONSTABLE: Worst fog in five years.
Hurry up, it's a bit of a step.
Come on, Nurse.
You'll be all right.
God be with you.
Good luck.
CONSTABLE: You still there, Nurse?
JENNY: Just about.
CONSTABLE: Not far now.
(CONCHITA SCREAMING)
She never screams like this! She always keeps her head!
-Has the doctor not arrived? -No.
We ain't never lost one before, Nurse.
Sometimes we have to deal with what the Lord has sent us.
(CONCHITA BREATHING HEAVILY)
All right.
(GROANING)
I think the concussion is preventing her
from recognising the pains as labour.
She doesn't know what's happening, she's too scared to co-operate.
All right, my love. We'll soon be done. I promise you.
I don't think it will be long now.
The urge to push will overtake her body,
whether she knows what's happening or not.
You need to be prepared.
How easily will it come away?
(SCREAMS LOUDER)
(FOOTSTEPS ON STAIRS)
I wish the ambulance would come!
If you come with me, Maureen, help get your mum onto her side.
(SCREAMING HYSTERICALLY)
(SCREAMS SUBSIDE)
(SOBBING)
(SOFTLY) Get me the bowl, please, Maureen.
I've got you, my darling. I've got you. I've got you.
You can go downstairs for me now, Maureen, boil me some water, please.
Don't ask me if she's all right
because I don't know.
Well, she's gone limp.
She's going into shock.
We need to keep her warm.
We don't know when help will arrive, and she's still losing blood.
You're doing perfect, my darling. You are doing perfect.
It's even weaker.
(QUESTIONS IN SPANISH)
No baby. Not this time, my beautiful.
(BABY CRIES WEAKLY)
It's alive, Nurse!
I didn't wrap him up! He'll be so cold.
Wrap him now!
It's a little boy. Come on, little one, come on.
(SNEEZING)
Come on, little one, come on.
Come on.
What's happened?
You've got another brother.
He's smaller than a doll.
How's he still alive?
I don't know.
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
MAUREEN: She's saying "My baby. Where's my baby?"
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
I said he's here. I said you were just drying him.
You must tell her that it's very small and fragile.
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
She says, "All babies are fragile."
Oh, no, no. No.
What's that? Tell me what to do.
-She needs ergometrin. -What's that?
MAN 1: Straight upstairs.
MAN 2: Mind out the road, kids.
MAN 1: The children are to stay out of the way.
0.5 ccs of ergometrin. Second dose. What happens now, Nurse?
We need the rest of the afterbirth to come away, or the bleeding won't stop
and she might need surgery.
She ain't never been to hospital, she's had all 25 of them at home!
Twenty-five?
If you value her life, you will let us do what's best.
The name's Turner, patient's GP.
Sorry, I was delayed.
Three bronchitis patients, one after the other.
We, meanwhile, have a haemorrhaging mother. And a viable neonate.
This young midwife's been very capable.
Well done. Can I help?
Take over on the oxygen.
Call Great Ormond Street, tell them to prepare for a 30-weeker. Yes, sir.
And you can bring the ventilator from the ambulance.
Ventilator? Great Ormond Street?
He needs help. He might need to be tube fed.
That's it, it's out!
Check it. Match it to the rest.
Lips pinking up. And the baby's still breathing.
Oh, thank God.
I'm all for giving medals to the gentleman upstairs, sir,
but in this case credit should go to the National Health.
Ten years ago we would have had none of this.
No obstetric flying squad,
no ambulance and no chance.
-Placenta's complete, sir! -Stabilising.
She'll need a further transfusion, but we can do that here.
Right, let's take this little chap, get him sorted out.
No.
Maureen, tell her! He's got to go to hospital!
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
No!
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
I said he'll die. He'll die.
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
She says, "He stays with me."
Tell her she needs blood and penicillin and rest at home,
the baby will be treated in the finest children's hospital in England.
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
(RESPONDS ANGRILY IN SPANISH)
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
She says, "He stays with me.
"I'm his hospital. He's my blood."
(SPEAKING SPANISH)
(BABY WHIMPERS)
No.
(REPEATS IN SPANISH)
(FAINT CHORAL SINGING)
(SINGING CONTINUES)
# Anoint and cheer our soiled face
# With the abundance of thy grace
# Keep far our foes, give peace at home
# When thou art kind, no ill can come
# Teach us to know the Father, Son,
# and thee, of both, to be but One,
# And through the ages all along
# This may be our endless song #
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
May we come in?
Yeah, you're just in time to see him take his milk.
You wait till you see his little tongue come out.
Ain't no bigger than a daisy petal.
(BABY CRIES)
What is that?
Oh, that's something Maureen uses in Domestic Science.
She says it's an icing rod.
How often has he been fed?
Every half an hour since 7:00 this morning.
Six or eight drops, he has. Just sort of licks them down.
Then she tucks him back in her nightie.
We have no experience of caring for such babies.
In the olden days, they did not live.
And now, they're nursed in a hospital.
Not this one.
We won't send the baby to hospital, will we, Sister?
No.
We'll visit three times a day for the first six weeks
and then every day for as long as is required.
Only time will tell whether Conchita will succeed.
We must see what love can do.
It frightens me, seeing him without his little nightie on.
His ribs is that delicate, they look like kipper bones.
(BABY CRIES)
I seen an incubator baby in a newsreel once.
Looked like a landed fish, it did.
Laying on its back, glass all around it.
It looked lonely to its marrow.
He's put on two ounces, Mr and Mrs Warren! We're on our way.
WOMAN ON RADIO: Teach yourself to be a good home laundress.
Washing and ironing most things in the home...
Midwife.
Follow her message and you'll find your weekly wash...
Did you hear I lost it?
Yes. I did. I'm so sorry.
Can't win them all, eh?
No.
I'd like my milk dried up.
I know. I brought you some Epsom salts.
I'll make you a cuppa.
-Let me do it, Pearl. -No. Got to keep going.
My grandma left me this.
Mind you don't sit on that chair! (LAUGHS)
The little fella weed on it.
Bet you think we're all slatterns round here, don't you?
As a matter of fact, I think you're all heroines.
WOMAN ON RADIO: That concludes our household tips for the day.
Now, to our afternoon music programme.
(UPLIFTING MUSIC PLAYING)
(TURNING UP VOLUME)
MATURE JENNY: I had begun to see what love could do.
Love brought life into the world and women to their knees.
Love had the power to break hearts and to save.
Love was, like midwifery, the very stuff of life
and I was learning how to fly with it.
Through all the streets, like the river to the sea.