“Loss to a child is often fleeting. The grief, and the missing, are erased as soon as the loved thing is returned. The void is filled so simply and the joy is so complete, that only the reunion stays imprinted on the mind. The picture is perfect once again as if the trouble never happened. But a child’s pain when they feel it is real and absolute. And we must shelter them, until their dark hours pass.” 

Episode 4 had several storylines. 

We had Pam Shields going into labor, but not wanting her husband, Kenny, present due to their recent separation. She has a beautiful birth of a baby boy named Colin; however, Kenny kidnaps him along with their daughter (Lisa). Pam and Colin both have chickenpox, and time is of the essence to get him back as he needs urgent treatment for his eyes to avert potential blindness. 

Cyril and Rosalind plan a weekend away — albeit with some miscommunication on the sleeping arrangements. Little Christopher will go back to Hong Kong due to physical and psychological exhaustion. Sister Veronica will accompany Christopher on this journey home, as he will have continued cancer treatment in Hong Kong. 

Lastly, we have Molly Robins, who works at the Poplar elementary school. Molly’s husband, Edwin, encourages her to go in for medical examination and care for her pain and urinary incontinence. Molly fears cancer. However, it is a VERY RARE situation of a lithopedion or “stone baby.” 

This was an unexpected storyline! 

I read that there have only been 300 cases documented in the last 400 years of medical literature. Some people will have heard of an abdominal pregnancy; however, a lithopedion is when this goes undiagnosed, and then the deceased fetus calcifies. In our storyline, this went undiagnosed for three decades. 

As a modern-day midwife, I would like to blog about one word that was used in the episode that just crushed Molly — it was when the residents and doctors entered the room to see the “stone baby” and said they wanted to see the “MONSTER.” These words cut to her core and also shocked me. 

Our words really do matter. Words and what they convey can be uplifting, positive, comforting, and can help an individual soar to unbelievable heights. As well, our words can cut to our very core and tear someone down with hurtful and destructive messages.

In our episode, Joyce tried to tell Molly that this was an outdated term. But the damage had been done, and that could not be erased. 

This scene reminded me of when I was still a student nurse and our instructors emphasized the need for patient/client privacy and respectful care. Usually, every year, you must renew your education regarding client privacy with readings and case-based scenarios. 

I started to look for best practices for client interactions for myself and also things that I can share with my students. I came across a fabulous site with resources regarding language and communication. The site is called Mindframe, and I put the link below for those interested in exploring their suggestions. 

This site has research-informed communication guidelines to help minimize stigma, promote inclusivity, and to ensure respectful language use, which aims to do no harm. The site has specific links to help researchers, healthcare providers, media, and communicators. 

In healthcare, we also have HIPPAA regulations (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). HIPPAA is a U.S. federal law that aims to protect patient health information (especially information that is sensitive) from being shared or disclosed without consent. This HIPPAA regulation became law in 1996. The law mandates privacy, security, and breach notification rules for health information. 

Once again, Call the Midwife really got how to interact, support, and allow time for healing with this episode. Joyce was sensitive by trying to reframe the situation, but also explored what Molly and Edwin needed to move forward.

This episode reminds us that our words and how we protect others can make all the difference.

“Often after loss, there is no full return of joy. Reunions can be bittersweet, haunted by the thought of what there was, or might have been. And yet, there will be light. We will find other places for our love to go and settle. Like a bird alighting on a branch. We are not entrusted with everything forever. Sometimes, all the love we have is not enough. Yet surrender can be another way of giving. Not merely loss, but a letting go — and setting something free. The separation hurts us, even as it heals them. But what can we do? We can do this. We can open our hands, watch them fly from our protection spread their wings, and become a tiny speck against the sky. We cannot cry. Nor do we need to. Because we bear their fragile footprints on our hearts. Even children learn this, in the end.”

RESOURCES:
Mindframe (2026). Our words matter: Guidelines for language use.
https://mindframe.org.au/quick-reference-guides