Ep 2. Episode 2

In the second episode of season 1 of Call the Midwife, the focus is on a local family and their struggles. The family consists of Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, who have five children and a sixth on the way. With Mr. Jenkins working long hours at the docks and Mrs. Jenkins pregnant, the family is struggling to make ends meet. The midwives are called in to help Mrs. Jenkins with the birth of her sixth child.

As the midwives arrive, they find the Jenkins family in a cramped and dirty flat. Mrs. Jenkins is in active labor, but the baby is breech, which poses a danger to both the mother and the baby. The midwives quickly assess the situation and make the decision to transport Mrs. Jenkins to the hospital for a safe delivery.

At the hospital, Mrs. Jenkins is taken into surgery for a cesarean section, where the baby is safely delivered. However, due to complications during the delivery, Mrs. Jenkins is left unable to have any more children. The midwives help the family deal with this news and offer support as they adjust to this new reality.

Meanwhile, Nurse Jenny is also dealing with her own personal struggles. She has been receiving letters from her ex-boyfriend, Graham, who has been serving in the army overseas. Jenny must decide whether to open and read the letters or to continue to ignore them.

In addition to the Jenkins family, the midwives also encounter other expectant mothers in the neighborhood. They assist a young woman who is trying to hide her pregnancy from her strict Catholic family and another woman who is struggling with the decision to put her baby up for adoption.

As always, Call the Midwife does an excellent job of providing an accurate portrayal of birth and postpartum experiences. The show also explores the struggles of families during the 1950s in London, offering a glimpse into the challenges faced by everyday people at that time. Overall, episode 2 of season 1 is an emotional and touching exploration of birth and family.