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Modern Midwives Blog
With the first signs of spring starting to emerge, some members of Nonnatus House experience personal growth of their own, especially Rosalind. On her deepening religious journey, she elects to get confirmed, a ceremony watched on by her proud colleagues and Cyril.
However, fans of Call the Midwife are well aware that such moments of respite are often short-lived in Poplar where medical emergencies, conflicts, and dilemmas are never far away.
So shed that extra layer and let’s dive into what you missed this week.
This week, Rosalind meets Mrs. Vera Kovacs, a Hungarian patient living with multiple sclerosis (MS). During her visit, Rosalind encounters two other members of the Kovacs’ household — Laszlo, Vera’s devoted husband, as well as Agata Balassa, a cousin who helps around the house.
Later, when conducting a routine assessment of Vera’s mobility, Rosalind notices an infected wound on her arm. Although Rosalind is initially alarmed, Vera eases the nurse’s worries, explaining that the injury is the result of a spilled cup of tea.
After treating Vera’s wound, Rosalind prepares to leave. However, as she heads for the door, she finds Agata scavenging for food in the trash bin. Realizing she’s been caught, Agata makes a beeline for the backyard, eager to avoid any of the midwife’s questioning.
Perplexed, Rosalind follows Agata and soon discovers that she also has a burn on her arm, one that is turning septic. Rosalind is adamant on bringing the young woman to Dr. Turner’s office for treatment, but Agata protests. With a distressed expression, she desperately tells Rosalind, “Because I do not leave this house!” before dashing back into the kitchen and slamming the door behind her.
Due to a staffing shortage at St. Cuthbert’s this week, the hospital has requested an extra pair of hands from Nonnatus House. Eager to step up to the plate is the ever-ambitious, ever-competent Joyce Highland.
During her first day at St. Cuthbert’s, Joyce meets her tenacious supervisor, Sister Marcus, who applauds Joyce for her punctuality. When Joyce expresses her aspiration to one day become a ward sister like Sister Marcus, the hospital veteran is candid. As a Black woman, she’ll, “have to work harder than everyone else, get in earlier than everyone else, and oil that machine better than anyone else,” because “they’re looking for reasons not to promote women like us.”
Joyce is up to the challenge and immediately proves why she is one of Nonnatus House’s best. When a disgruntled group of pregnant mothers voice their complaints, Joyce deftly restores order and sets things right.
Of the many mothers in the clinic, Joyce meets Eileen Hudson, a single woman with a due date three weeks out. After conducting a routine check-up, Joyce learns Eileen has experienced some light bleeding. Out of an abundance of caution, Joyce consults with Mr. Parry, who orders an X-ray. The results indicate Eileen is at a higher-risk for hemorrhage, and in turn, will need to stay in the ward and undergo a C-section procedure.
Eileen is visibly distressed by the news and worries about the future health of her baby…
After learning Agata doesn’t leave the house, Rosalind races back to Dr. Turner’s clinic. Although Miss Higgins can’t locate any records on Agata, she agrees to Rosalind’s request of temporarily registering the patient with the practice. Sensing the delicacy of the situation, however, Miss Higgins prudently reminds Rosalind to “think carefully” before doing anything rash.
Later, Rosalind returns to Kovacs’ neighborhood. Concealed behind a nearby pillar, Rosalind watches as Laszlo and Vera leave on their daily walk. As soon as they’re out of sight, Rosalind knocks on the Kovacs’ front door and greets Agata, eager to get to the bottom of things.
According to Agata, the Kovacs have imprisoned her for some time, and they’ve confiscated her papers, passport, and money. But the worst news is yet to come, and it’s even more harrowing than Rosalind could’ve imagined. Agata explains that Vera is desperate to have a baby but can’t, due to her poor health. Instead, Vera insists that Agata have one for her, so she’s been repeatedly tortured, starved, and raped by Laszlo.
Rosalind is understandably outraged and horrified — the situation is dire, that much is clear. But how can she help Agata without putting both women in even more danger?
With Eileen’s C-section procedure imminent, the mother-to-be develops a real sense of fear and trepidation. She explains to Joyce how she became an orphan at a young age and was raised by her Aunt Moira. While the two women once shared a close relationship, Moira cut ties with Eileen after learning she planned to keep her baby.
Joyce assures Eileen that it’s perfectly normal to feel such a strong string of emotions. Although Eileen is going through this experience without any familial support, Joyce and the other nurses at St. Cuthbert’s are here to help her through the journey.
Not long after, Mr. Parry, Joyce, and other St. Cuthbert’s nurses perform Eileen’s C-section and welcome a healthy baby girl into the world!
Meanwhile, time capsules are the talk of the town in every corner of Poplar this week. From the Buckle and Turner homes to Nonnatus House and the Cubs meeting, children and adults alike are inspired by the idea after watching a recent Blue Peter episode highlighting the burial of a time capsule.
Which items, artifacts, and memorabilia will best serve as a historical record of 1971? And what will they mean to those who open them in the year 2000?
Meanwhile, Rosalind decides to take matters into her own hands and consults Cyril about Agata’s situation. While he tries to calm her down, Rosalind remains undeterred to take immediate action.
Later that night, Rosalind sneaks back to the Kovacs’ home and slips Agata a sheet of paper with details for a nearby women’s hostel. It’s now or never for Agata, who overhears Vera and Laszlo discussing their frustration that Agata still shows no signs of pregnancy. Realizing that Laszlo will try to force himself on her again that very evening, Agata escapes into the night.
Although the women’s hostel is at full capacity, the volunteers offer Agata a pillow, blankets, and some space to lie down. They also place a call to Nonnatus House. With Rosalind not on standby, Trixie heads to the hostel to inquire about Agata’s circumstances.
Later, Trixie relays her findings to Rosalind — Agata is three months pregnant. While Trixie commends Rosalind for taking initiative in Agata’s case, she cautions her to consult a senior midwife beforehand in the future. Considering that the Kovacs will try to locate Agata, the entire case has a whole new element of danger.
The next day, Trixie and Rosalind bring Agata to Dr. Turner’s clinic. With a plan now in place for treating her and her expected baby, Dr. Turner raises the issue of reporting the Kovacs to the authorities. However, the police show no interest in involving themselves with a “he said, she said” situation.
For now, Agata can only find comfort in knowing the midwives will do anything to protect her, including retrieving her personal belongings.
Following Eileen’s C-section birth, Joyce checks in on the exhausted mother, who seems woozy and confused. As they talk, Eileen grows increasingly distressed and expresses her clear wishes to see her baby. Joyce promises to bring her daughter to her room after conducting Eileen’s routine check-up.
But when Joyce brings the newborn in, she finds Eileen suffering from a major postpartum hemorrhage.
Joyce dashes out of the room, shouting for urgent assistance. Fortunately, the medical staff manages to stabilize Eileen, but her significant blood loss remains a growing concern. Because Eileen’s blood type is AB negative — one of the rarest and of lowest supply at the hospital — they quickly run out before she’s fully restored.
However, Joyce remembers her previous conversation with Eileen regarding her Aunt Moira. Considering the likelihood of family members sharing similar blood types, Joyce realizes Moira could be the solution to Eileen’s situation. All Joyce has to do is find Moira and convince her.
With Agata now safe and sound at Dr. Turner’s clinic, the young mother finally has a chance to catch her breath. But the calm is short-lived when the Kovacs arrive unannounced.
As suspected, the couple is not willing to let Agata go without a fight. Things become significantly more perilous when they realize she’s hiding in a nearby room — and pregnant.
Emboldened, Laszlo shoves Trixie aside and heads straight to Agata. Fortunately, Miss Higgins swiftly calls the police and soon after, the Kovacs are arrested on suspicion of forced imprisonment.
The nightmare for Agata at long last seems to be over. She can finally start living her life on her own terms.
With Eileen’s condition continuing to deteriorate, Joyce seeks Moira out. True to Eileen’s account, Moira indicates zero interest in speaking to her niece, explaining how she wanted a “respectable” life for her niece. Joyce, however, explains that Moira doesn’t need to make amends with Eileen; all she needs from her is a possible blood transfusion if their blood types match.
Moira agrees to Joyce’s term, and as Joyce guessed, her blood type is also type AB negative. Eileen’s state soon improves. But, more importantly, she and Moira reconcile.
As for Joyce, Sister Marcus praises the young midwife for her stellar contributions from the week. And as a result, Mr. Parry offers to let her stay on at the hospital for a few more weeks!
What will the future look like for the people of Poplar? Indeed, what exactly will the world have in store for the year 2000?
No one can be quite sure, but for now, the Poplar community embraces having one another.
Forgot how we got here? Catch up on “Call the Midwife” with the Season 15, Episode 2 GIF Recap.
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