“Which flavor lives on longest in the memory? Is it the bitter or the sweet? The sour surprise of a thing we did not ask for, or the warmth of expectations met? The pattern of the years embraces both … the honeyed, and the harsh. In the dark days before the spring begins, we can’t foretell what will distinguish the Summer when it comes. Or who we’ll be when the snows return. For now we cling to ritual. This is where we once were. This is where we are now. This is where, if the Fates are willing we will be again.”

Welcome back Call the Midwife Season 15, Episode 1. I have missed you and loved seeing the midwives, nurses, and nuns of Nonnatus House back in my living room.  

Spoiler alert — This episode, we had Sister Catherine as a newly qualified midwife with a challenging case, taking care of Thelma. Thelma experienced hyperemesis and then a preterm 28-week birth. 

Rosalind attended a postpartum mum and walked into a women’s liberation meeting. The room was filled with strong, educated “ladies” energized as they sought to be seen and heard in their pursuit of equal rights, equal status, and equal pay. 

We witnessed the team working with the Kingsley family. Yes, sometimes it takes a village. The family lived in a horrendous living environment with a complicated diabetic situation and Edna, experiencing her sixth pregnancy and birth. But, most notably, there was danger underfoot for the children. There was poverty, neglect, and abuse. 

Trixie represented Nonnatus House as they heard that by 1974, all medical service provision would be taken out of Council hands and given directly to the National Health. Trixie argued that the Nonnatus House Order had worked hand in glove with the National Health since its inception. They countered that the council has been the “go-between,” and they have new rules. One rule is that the nuns can no longer wear the habit, as they need to dress as National Health employees.

Sister Julienne will reflect on this news and give her response on her own timeline, specifically The Feast Day of St. Raymond Nonnatus (not the budget year-end, as the Council had directed). Her decision sends a strong message. 

Finally, one storyline I look forward to as it unfolds: Sister Veronica (Beryl) confided to Geoffrey that she wanted her own child. 

As a modern-day midwife, the episode made me think of things that have progressed, things that are stagnant, and things that have felt like steps backwards or regression. We have witnessed medical progression, such as in our neonatal care. Women’s and human rights have taken a beating in the USA. However, one thing that felt resilient was the consistent camaraderie/support to each other. I watched their midwifery leadership and mentoring in action. 

As the midwives traversed their clinical work, we saw that it could be intense with personal pain that ricocheted through to their core. Examples were Sister Catherine feeling traumatized after the preterm birth and running down the street with the infant wrapped in a blanket. 

We saw varied characters as they worked with the Kingsley family. They experienced shock and anger, but they also displayed compassion with their care. We saw a team effort. Their roles alternated from taking the helm and then at times, stepping back and asking for a different team member who felt like a better fit to step forward at that point. 

They worked collegially with others, such as Dr. Turner or Cyril, as a strong and cohesive multidisciplinary unit. At times, they had to take a deep breath, stand in their pain, then look up to see the landscape to move forward and travel the path. They had to lean on each other, and they did not travel that path alone. 

There will always be leaders at the helm or at the front of the pack. But we have to sometimes hand off the baton to replenish ourselves, which can actually strengthen the team. It is like being in a circle — you can stand alone side by side and divisible, or you can be stronger (and possibly unbreakable) when you grasp hands. 

We witnessed individuals who were willing to share their personal experiences to help enlighten or buoy hope to the next person. For example, Sister Monica Joan as she gave solace to Sister Catherine, or the mother (Bernice) who shared her 14-month neonatal journey with her preterm baby with Thelma. 

As a modern-day midwife and educator, I can say wholeheartedly we all need to grasp hands to help build bridges to help strengthen everyone on their journey. From students and colleagues who are beginning their journey to seasoned practitioners — we all need support. 

Well, I will try my pancakes with lemon and sugar. As well, I will take “The Female Eunuch” by Germaine Greer out from the library to read. And I will grasp hands with my students and really try to guide and mentor them as they engage in their scholarly and clinical journeys. I will walk hand in hand with my colleagues and try to mentor newer colleagues as they embrace their roles. I look forward to watching this season and the midwives’ leadership and mentoring styles in order to enhance my own skills.

This season, our Nonnatus House midwives and nuns will need to navigate many obstacles and challenges, and I look forward to watching and reflecting on them through a modern-day midwifery lens. 

“There will always things that we cannot change. Even when there is the will and the belief that we should try. Change chooses its own seeds, sows them in its own selected soil. Our task is to water them and not trample green shoots underfoot. In the Spring of 1971, there was so much that was altered. There were endings and there were beginnings. There was uncertainty and there was confidence. There was rage and there was love. And so we marched together; into all the things we did not know. Hoping and also fearing things would never be the same.”