ObGyn Doctor Reacts: Call The Midwife | Medical Drama Review with MamaDoctorJones

I know, I know - everyone is doing a Real Doctor Reacts series. Well, we're putting and Obstetrician/Gynecologist (ObGyn) spin on this with a labor & delivery relevant medical drama reaction vido.
If you guys like this obgyn doctor reacts video leave a comment with another doctor tv show that has some relevance to women's health and I'll do another reaction video just for you. :)
So, if you love Call The Midwife on BBC - this one is for you. We're reacting to Season 2, Episode 8 of this amazing show.
Watch Call The Midwife on Amazon (affiliate): amzn.to/2TtKK3d
I really enjoy this medical tv show because they do an excellent job portraying accurate and historically interesting facts about labor, delivery, women's health, and medicine in general. Call the Midwife is such a great show - I truly cannot recommend it high enough.
In this medical drama reaction video we're learning all about pre-eclampsia, placental abruptions, and historical ObGyn information.
Thanks for all your support guys. You're truly the best. If you like this video don't forget to give it a thumbs up! Like, subscribe, comment with the next show you want us to review!

[@CaileighYoung]

The babies they use are actually super young! Moms sign up while they're still pregnant and whatever baby is born closest to their filming day they use. I think they said they don't use babies older than 8 days. One of the things I love about this show is how faithful they try to be to reality!

[@ayayla7846]

wow, really? Aren't they too young?

[@hayjwhin4508]

That's interesting, I didn't know that. I believe in California/Hollywood babies in film and television legally can't "work" if they're younger than I think 15 days because they can't get a work permit before then.

[@CaileighYoung]

@@hayjwhin4508 I definitely saw them mention it in an interview, I think the one where they talked about their on set midwife consultant. They can only work for like 20 minutes at a time I think.

[@annacairns]

They also use animatronic babies too. And recently they had story of Clift pallet and they CGI’ed over the baby’s face.

[@victoriajonesadisciplesjou477]

wasn't this show filmed in Europe? Maybe they have different rules about that. I am not totaly sure though.

[@missylee3022]

Don't worry we've all cried while watching call the midwife

[@user-du8xh5kj8i]

Missy Lee I have sobbed 😭😂

[@Mscoloraturakae]

All. The. Time.

[@destinyheath6583]

Same!

[@taradaycatalortaraifyourno8482]

When pregnant and right after he was born I cried so hard a few times my husband was scared of me I think. Lol.

[@MariaHarpe842]

There hasn't been a single episode that I have not cried during lol. Granted I'm usually pregnant or have a new baby so hormones could be a factor 😉

[@bananacreampie28]

You should watch Season 1 Episode 2, where Chummy has to deliver a baby that is breech. She walks through the steps of delivery and I heard that there are obstetrics classes that use that scene to demonstrate a breech birth. I would love to see what you think of it and how accurate it is!

[@furkins6748]

the only thing about that episode that I don't understand is why they wrap the baby in a towel when the bum is born. I was taught to never ever touch the baby before I can see the scapula. And in the breech births that I have attended, the babies more times than not did make startling movements that required a manual extraction of the arms when they were touched.

[@majaholst8003]

Fur Kins I am not at all educated in this area, but I think it has to do with the baby not starting to breath? I believe I’ve read that the baby takes its first breath when it gets cold as a reflex on being born. They of course do not want the baby to take its first breath when the head is still in the birth canal, and wraps it up to keep it warm and to prevent the baby from breathing just yet. I can however be completely wrong about this, haha!

[@furkins6748]

@@majaholst8003 nah. Babies already make breathing motions in utero. No problem with that. In a later episode I heard them say something like "to keep it nice and warm". I don't know... might have to go back and watch it again. I was only a student when I first watched that episode.

[@Frogglin]

@@furkins6748 Don't forget also that the Call the Midwife series is based on memoirs from the 1950s, ideas about medicine and birth were different then.

[@furkins6748]

@@Frogglin they probably knew more about breech birth than 21st century doctors. Reading old obstetrics textbooks is amazing. I can only imagine all the knowledge that was lost because midwives were too busy working and didn't wanna write anything down. Then when the doctors took over, poof, it was gone. Anyway. I don't know what the towel was about. Just found it to be interesting.

[@corneynel6952]

“Call the midwife,” is the most accurate depiction of midwifery care I have ever seen. Yes, we have made amazing strides in Obstetric care since then, but we unfortunately do not all practice in environments where we, or our clients, have access to Clinics, Hospitals, equipment, or even pretty basic tests. Very proud to practice as an Avanced Midwife Practicioner in rural South Africa. I know that I, and all of my fellow midwives, would have loved to have all thiese resources available for our clients, in case they should need it, but we do not, and have to make do with what we have. We strive to empower our clients as best we can, regardless of where we are. We are happy to have our OB/Gyn colleagues care for the high risk moms, we will gladly take care of rest of the 95% of those moms who do not need this high tech care. It is wonderful to have a symbiotic working relationship with other medical professionals. Happy International Midwives Day yesterday 5 May.

[@dhall75608]

Aside from this being how it was in the UK with the NHS and I am from America, so totally different system, it saddens me to see how healthcare is today vs how it was then. Idk that it was ever similar in the US the way it’s depicted with a dr who cares so much for his patients, never complains about working or being on call and the nurses and midwives give care beyond. My mom is a nurse from Canada and she was taught with the way Call the Midwife portrays. Even as an administrator in a hospital, her main focus is the patient. It is beyond irritating to her the way drs are now and nurses and to see how far caring for a patient, a person, has backslid so much, even though we made great strides in healthcare technology. I know not every dr or nurse is lacking compassion, but the ones that do have it are few a far between.

[@lellyt2372]

God bless you and your colleagues ❤ I believe that health should be seen as a RIGHT not a privilege and you live that and put your skills where your mouth is (as in the saying money where your mouth is) and that is beautiful 🙏❤

[@azigar]

I hear you!! Writing from the Caribbean, it's like that too. We use what we've got, and do without what we don't. And we still give those lovely castile soap enemas.

[@serahwilliamson7095]

I mean it is based on the diary of one of the nurses featured in the show which is why it’s so accurate. Knowing that these real peoples lives and experiences are being recreated in this show really adds to the show.

[@TheFireMonkey]

It is worth noting that Call the Midwife is based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth, who was in fact a midwife - although the specific stories are fictional, they are all based on things which really happened. [the character Jenny Lee is based on the author] and I believe Jennifer Worth was involved in creating the show, but sadly she passed away in 2011 just before the show began to air.

[@drpigglesnuudelworte5209]

Some of the stories are the same, like the first episode w the premature baby, but with some embellishments to tell a linear chronological story

[@jadedbelle4788]

A bit of background on the show for those who don't know. Call the midwife is set in 1950s post war london in one of the poorest areas. The midwives are 'district nurses' and look after the local community. They got around on push bikes (which is why chummy was trying the scooter)They are attached to an anglican convent. The nuns are also midwives. It would have been nice to hear more comparisons like then they ony had thiss but now we have this or c section were high risk in this time, that kind of thing

[@deadgrlsuperstar]

Thanks for the knowledge! This was a very informative comment.

[@LH-ro2ot]

1960s

[@jadedbelle4788]

@@LH-ro2ot the first season starts in 1957 and is 1 calandar year per season

[@evieaddy9580]

It's an ongoing story they put a new series every year. Next year's is probably going to be based on the 80s

[@lizandanorexia8827]

@@evieaddy9580 I love the show

[@daisysonnevijlle3064]

This bleeding happend to my mom I was born premature at 30 weeks. Now I have cerebral palsey. But I'm 27 years old now and I have two beautyful babyboys of my own now!

[@annmitchell4663]

That's great..glad you were able to get on with life.

[@melanietoth1376]

My brother and my cousin's son both have CP. I'm so glad you made it and you have a family of your own now. Beautiful ♡

[@strugglingcollegestudent]

I was born at 30 weeks as well! Don't have Cerebral Palsey though but I'm glad you were able to overcome!

[@doctorcorgi3134]

That's incredible there's this video by storybooth about a girl named Mandy that has Cerebral Palsy(sorry if I misspelled it). It's a really good video.

[@AnneBivalent]

That's impressive! Being a mom is hard. Being a mom w a disability is hard to the nth degree. (Speaking from experience)

[@Rachelhappyface]

If I don’t cry in an episode of Call the Midwife, I consider it a failure! LOVE this show! Really glad Americans appreciate it too! 💖

[@niviachilds-english3784]

Agreed

[@rbriseno8756]

Dito-- I have watched all seasons at least three times! Sister Monica Joan is my favorite. 🙌

[@sarahchristine4298]

It’s the only show I’ll watch knowing theres about a 110% chance I’m going to cry 😂

[@oddanderson9131]

It’s fun to watch for me because my mother who is a nurse was born in Scotland with the help of a Midwife in 1960 as a kid I thought it was so bizarre. But as an adult it’s interesting to watch stuff like this with her and have her talk about things brought up in the show

[@Jennifer-jn3qx]

I started watching Call the Midwife because of this channel (just starting season 4) and I think I've cried at least once every single episode thus far. I've full out sobbed during a few because they hit close to home. It's an amazing show, but definitely an emotional journey.

[@MJK1965]

Midwife: I just need you to take a quick tinkle in this. Mother to be: But that's a good tea cup.

[@mdensham]

As a Brit that one the most British thing I heard on TV

[@strugglingcollegestudent]

@@mdensham Lol yeah. I live in the states and when I think of British people I can only see polite (like excessively polite, pip pip Cheerio, ta ta, chop chop) people who drink tea constantly. Tea is like the only British personality trait. If your British and you don't drink tea I don't believe you.

[@janani1826]

@@strugglingcollegestudent and being polite and posh - especially on American TV 🤣 ~ A Brit

[@ginnyjollykidd]

@@strugglingcollegestudent Small culture bit: "ta-ta" was actually "goodbye" in Hindi. British picked up a lot of Indian culture while occupying India.

[@ameliacraig8789]

@@ginnyjollykidd Yeah, like 'bungalow' also.

[@jessicacarlisle9160]

As a doula who typically provides care from 32 weeks forward, I’ve gotten asked about castor oil many times. I always, ALWAYS, tell them not to use it because it will not start labor. If you do go into labor, it’s pure coincidence and not the castor oil. However I had one mom ignore me and drink an entire bottle of it. She went into labor and had explosive diarrhea with every single contraction. When it was time to push, it was a disaster.

[@teamcougars]

Funny side note when I was pregnant with my first baby my midwife suggested I use castor oil, I tried it but just a gulp in orange juice it was so disgusting I didn’t drink anymore of it and I went into labor on my own 1 day after my due date and I avoided the explosive diarrhea of castor oil 😮

[@princess7jasmine]

This story alone could prevent castor oil use.

[@trash-girl84]

😂🤣

[@L.Peacock]

I’m a high school student and until recently I had no clue what career I wanted to pursue. As a result my grades began to slip because I had no real motivation to keep them up. A while ago I discovered call the midwife and suddenly I realized that I want to be an ob/gyn. I have no clue if it’ll become a reality but I’m so grateful to have a dream for the future

[@xRainbowFroggy]

I hope it goes well for you! My mother was a midwife during the 80s and she always says she wouldn't change it for the world

[@DLeighWifey]

If there are any midwives in you area, you might contact them and ask if they would allow you to shadow any of their appointments. It really is great motivation in high school to get a glimpse of the "real world" where you will some day be out there serving people!

[@aspynlawrence6117]

Same

[@vegetablepimps]

It's never boring. Love love love all 3 Ob's who delivered my babies and the NPs

[@jamielaw4749]

May I ask what grade you're in? Most people don't know what they want to study until grade 12 (and if they already do, they usually change their mind), and likewise, most people don't pursue the careers they thought they would have when they began college/university. Just give every subject your all, and pay attention to what interests you. E.g, if you like English, that points to marketing or law (or literature); if you like math, that's engineering; bio or chemistry, that's medicine (or OB). These are all very broad, but what interests you is a helpful guideline in choosing your field of study. If you really like bio and chemistry, you'll probably like being an OB/GYN or something in the science field :)) but beside my point, it's always okay to change your mind layer on. If you want to become an OB/GYN, you'll probably be taking Life or med sci in your first year of uni anyway, and when you get there, there'll be so many more careers you've never heard about and you might change your mind again!!! Best wishes :)

[@AMVactivists]

Call the Midwife is about poverty and the NHS much more than it is about childbirth. They get the medicine right but also the social history. It's very much a love letter to the NHS.

[@SevCaswell]

it is based on the memoirs of one of the original midwives, although I think the more recent series are more fictional, but with accurate research. The thalidomide stuff horrified me.

[@MorganChaos]

@@SevCaswell i casually mentioned to my mom once that i thought my midwife show was up to 1961 now, the year she was born and she made the yikes face and asked if i'd ever heard of thalidomide (1961 is the year the connection to defects was discovered). she knew that they had to be covering it in the show, lol. the later series are fictionalized, yes, as the memoirs only covered so much, but with accurate research like you said.

[@jfs983]

@@MorganChaos Omg yeah, the thalidomide plotline had a lot of setup. I remember the episode where it was first prescribed to a mother with hyperemesis, I legitimately got shivers, knowing the real-life consequences... and then about a season or two later, we were introduced to the realization of what it had done... and how these poor families were coping with it. Masterfully written.

[@katphish30]

@@jfs983 The moment that woman was prescribed an anti emetic and the doctor said it was off label, I said "Oh god, that's right" out loud. My husband looked at me like I was nuts, but I knew it was coming.

[@annalopez-overmyer9987]

Legit it takes me on a fuckin ride every single fucking time. Sister B and Doc are 😍👌👌👌

[@tinawidmer2395]

I had a placental abruption with no external bleeding 9 months ago and my baby boy died. Storys like yours, Mama Doctor Jones, make me very happy. Because not every mom with placental abruption has to suffer this loss and this makes me grateful. All these healthy moms and babys make me so unbelievably grateful.

[@marycollins1024]

😢

[@victorianeal9369]

I’m so sorry for your loss 💔 Prayers for Jesus’ peace and comfort over you and may your sweet boy be with Jesus in Heaven 💕 I cannot imagine your pain, but, prayers for your rainbow baby (if you ever choose to have another baby)

[@debbystragier2154]

I’m so sorry for your loss 💔 I hope you’re doing okay.

[@alex_enbee]

I’m so sorry for your loss. My grandma had a placental abruption and while thankfully, my aunt didn’t die her description of it really open my eyes to help brutal it is. I’m glad that you’re still here.

[@tigerlily3574]

I’m very sorry for the loss of your little one.💕

[@gailrodgers3079]

That was a terrific show and I would have been happy to have you as my doctor. Call the Midwife, for the most part was one of the best, realistic medical shows I have seen over the years. I believe I read somewhere that they hired newborns for the minute or two of filming that was needed and they had a midwife on staff to keep things real. A newborn looks so different a week later and I hate shows where the 'newborn' is a lovely 1-3 month old! I have seen some 'medical' shows where they credit a doctor who apparently had nothing else to do as he wouldn't have had any patients as the medical stuff on the show was such a bunch of hooey!

[@my8precious]

You are right, they did have a midwife as a co writer of the show. I used to work with her husband (doctor)

[@RogueStitches]

I can attest to the "Don't do the castor oil thing." With my third, I was so miserable and just ready to deliver that my grandmother advised me to do it. I was SO sick! Not only did I have terrible diarrhea, but I was also vomiting and cramping like crazy. I did NOT go into labor. I wouldn't wish that for anyone.

[@SheWhoWalksSilently]

LadyCrafts Isn’t Castor oil toxic/poison to digest?

[@RogueStitches]

@@SheWhoWalksSilently It can be in large quantities I believe. It's a vegetable oil made from the castor bean, but the manufacturing process produces ricin (ricinoleic acid) which is really bad for you. It is mostly used in the productions of soaps, lubricants, paints, and other products, including beauty products. The USDA has castor oil listed as "generally recognized as safe and effective" for over the counter use as a laxative.

[@briggyb]

It's an older generation thing for sure. My mom did it with my brother. Not a good idea!

[@NeighborofKT]

A relative’s mother took castor oil, and ended up dying. I don’t know if it was actually castor oil that caused her death, but the family seemed to think it contributed to the death. My relative grew up motherless 😢

[@briggyb]

@@NeighborofKT awful.

[@classicsredone]

I suffered a placental abruption at home last November. I stood up after a nap and there was a huge gush of fluid, and then lost a lot of blood. I was aware enough to yell for, my husband, to call for an ambulance but flushed and didn't think the firefighters would need to see the blood. I have first responder training, but I was terrified. I knew the risks. I knew what was happening and what it meant. Thankfully, I was rushed downtown in record speed for a crash c-section and at 32.2 weeks, my little guy was born. I had "a very large number of very large clots" behind the placenta. I needed a transfusion and healing was rough, but I cannot complain. Bubs spent just under a month in the NICU and is doing well at six months.

[@kazbaz8645]

Glad all ok in the end. My story is listed here.

[@AD-wz6nd]

I’m so, so sorry you had to experience that but so happy everything ended up being okay! Congrats on your baby!

[@HallowqueenCrafting]

one of my best friends had a placental abruption. Fortunately, even though she was not in labour, she just happened to be at the hospital for some prenatal testing., so she was, as she described it, thrown onto a gurney and wheeled into an OR with barely enough time for them to briefly explain that the baby was in danger and needed to come out NOW before they gave her the general. Mom and baby were both fine, even if mom developed a bit of a haunted look for a while. Scared the bejesus out of her.

[@candabrel62]

Wow! Your baby is now officially a badass survivor, and so are you.

[@MorganChaos]

i'm so glad you're both okay!

[@zeusathena26]

15 years ago a friend of mine went into labor with her 2nd child. Unfortunately this happened, & she went into a coma. She woke up when her 2nd daughter was over a year old! 14 & a half months. I can't imagine going through that! I'm greatful her family didn't give up on her waking up.

[@wunderseltsame2]

Jennifer Worth's books (which the series is based on) are a great read. This skill of these midwives was amazing.

[@karastub1278]

Keep in mind it is what they did in that area of London in the 60s. it was a smaller area that didn’t evolve as fast as the rest of England. And I believe that this stuff was taken directly from Jennifer’s journal.

[@BattyBigSister]

Season Two was actually still set in the 50s and yes, Poplar was a well known impoverished (slum) area of London at the time (hence the lack of attention to health and safety on that scooter. Particularly here as it was the best pregnancy 'upgrade' from their standard bicycles that was available and they could afford. She was lucky they were short-staffed enough to let Chummy continue working after marriage and pregnancy. That was certainly not standard practice.) What we see here are the real early days of NHS interventions for public health care - and yes, as you say, at that point of the show it was still taken from the autobiography of a real midwife from that time. The more resent series (everything post Jenny leaving, I think) are not, as the contents of the book ran out, though they do still tie in very closely with events in that area at that time.

[@taradaycatalortaraifyourno8482]

40s and 50s actually.

[@taradaycatalortaraifyourno8482]

@@BattyBigSister after she left I think she wrote a little but more a quick how all ended up. The rest is a mix of a few other diaries and books of the time and history facts.

[@nicoladavies3391]

Didn’t evolve as fast as the rest of England? I’d say they saw the changes to our society sooner than most. They did have very bad housing though especially after WW2 bombing.

[@gee1537]

just putting it out there; the stories were adapted and characters were created for the show and books. most is out of her diary but some is added based on other midwives in those times from places similar in Liverpool and Birmingham

[@Cantrell1990]

Was an RN for an OBGYN for almost 10 years. Abruption is scary. I’ve seen it twice, out of the two, we lost one. A patient came in for bleeding and pain. She was laying at the door before the office opened. We carried her in and did a sono and Doppler...No heart beat. Rushed her to the OR, but it was too late. She did end up having a healthy baby a few years later. OB is a rewarding, but taxing profession.

[@thenormallife1138]

Dang that's sad man

[@suneblommie4549]

I would actually really like it if you reacted to some "I didn't know I was pregnant" episodes 🤔

[@gothgirlatheart3545]

Mama Doctor Jones I think that show is a load of shit! Am I wrong???

[@suneblommie4549]

@@gothgirlatheart3545 I think so too, that's why I'd like to see her reacting to it and teaching us more

[@raymondwilkinson426]

Women on that show are women who experienced a cryptic pregnancy. Which is when your body recognizes that your pregnant but doesn’t give off those tell tale signs which almost always include a growing belly. This usually happens in times when the mother is under a lot of stress, because in cryptic pregnancies the pregnancy is so relatively easy and symptomless compared to a normal pregnancy that you don’t even recognize that your pregnant.

[@FiddlebirdBlue]

Yesss

[@chelseaaltuna4175]

Especially the L&D nurse episode. You guessed it... she didn’t know she was pregnant.

[@susanmcpeak7267]

I arrived in the ER just after Christmas with horrible back. I could sit,stand & lay down. There was no comfortable position that didn't bring tears to my eyes The triage nurse took my blood pressure & looked confused. Told me the machine is acting up. Took my blood pressure again. It was the same 203/110. I told her that my doctor had been watching for pre-eclampsia. That poor nurse turned white & was in shock. I was sent straight up to L&D. Doc told me that me that I was in danger of shock. The treatment was delivering the baby. I was only 30 weeks. She was born 1lb 11oz. Today she is 26 & and is perfectly healthy.

[@toxigenic]

I loved this series! It was so fun seeing Miranda, who is a comedian, do such a great serious role. Plus she got a sweet romance storyline in this as well. I'm all sniffly too.

[@i0like0trains0kid]

I was born after a placental abruption. Pulled me out with forceps covered in blood. My parents had already planned on calling me Mary, but it was fitting.

[@boldanabrasevic3020]

I feel bad for laughing at this.

[@lakotahfrye6642]

@@boldanabrasevic3020 I did too.

[@laurenminton6133]

Omg I actually just choked reading this haaaaaaaaaaaa

[@Ajehy]

Took me a minute to get!

[@Hortonheardahoe]

I don’t get it. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@violetkestrel6942]

My husband was ready to stop watching the show if Chummy had died. Seriously though, such a good show, and I so appreciate their accuracy.

[@sharroon7574]

I stopped watching Downton Abby for a year when Matthew died.

[@violetkestrel6942]

​@@sharroon7574 we stopped watching it entirely

[@jbdancers]

Violet Philine I love that your husband is a fan of CTM. My husband is also a HUGE fan of the show, even more so than I am! He gets teary eyed too. :-)

[@lisanickerson4788]

@@sharroon7574 I stopped watching it completely after that. I just couldn't continue.

[@lisalanham7516]

I LOVE that your husband watches with you!!💕

[@emapple8298]

The first time I saw this episode I was freaking out and crying lol chummy is everyone's favorite

[@kaylaa8092]

She was the best on that show I think. Hated when she left

[@laneybaker6995]

+sister Monica Joan

[@Queen_Springsteen]

I miss Chummy on the show😢

[@catherinebent5101]

I love this program. They get the history and the medicine right. It emphasizes the importance of district midwives and nurses at the time and indeed today. I still remember our district nurse, Nurse Ramsay and going to the clinic to have check ups as a child.

[@JoaoPessoa86]

My twin and I caused our mom such bad preeclampsia that the doctor literally told my dad that had we been born a decade earlier he would have had to choose to save either us or our mom

[@kathygoodman6159]

The babies they use for the newborns are less than 10 days old. I was so impressed with this show for its realism. Watch the episodes about the Thalidium babies, they're excellent. This is my favorite show.

[@elinor1968]

I was born bum first. Mom was kind of annoyed by it because every doc and nurse who had time to spare would come observe because they hadn't seen it before.

[@teamcougars]

Sappho I was born frank breech in 1969. I guess they didn’t do automatic C~section for a breech back then ?🤷🏼‍♀️

[@Ana-ef4io]

@@teamcougars C section shouldn't even be automatic for a breech. Its pushed too much and frankly its disgusting.

[@camo770]

I was born first first. Superwoman right here 😂

[@Al3saMarie]

If you're mom didn't want all those people in there they were in the wrong. That's a HIPPA (and common decency) violation. I personally have never minded when students or other professionals wanted to watch during a procedure or something (I've never given birth), but if they came in without asking I would have been PISSED.

[@elinor1968]

@@Al3saMarie she was a bit busy at the moment. Not sure how HIPPA would apply since I'm in Sweden and this was back in 95.

[@alishajennings2013]

My friends baby boy just turned a year old. He was delivered at 29 weeks due to severe preeclampsia. He was in the NICU for almost 3 months but he's absolutely gorgeous and doing great

[@HelloLoveC]

Call The Midwife is one of the most heartwarming programmes ever made. It's just lovely.

[@laner.845]

Okay, you need to do the entire series as your Reacts magnum opus. I'd love to get a modern perspective on almost everything I ever saw on that show. I adore the show and it's fascinating to see oldschool medical practices, and then see them through a modern lens.

[@conlon4332]

I would love to see this too! Sadly she seems to have stopped reacting to this show.

[@laner.845]

@@conlon4332 yeah, it doesn't help that BBC makes it hard to watch in the US. I don't know what her ability to watch is like in New Zealand.

[@michelleirudis4078]

It’s one of my favourite things about call the midwife- disproportionately good outcomes

[@kyliejeanfrakes8224]

You should definitely do more Call The Midwife ones. Really interesting with it being another time period! Thanks! Learned a lot!

[@Han-vh8ql]

I’m a nurse and when I was pregnant with my son, I worked second shift on my due date, got home and went into labor two hours later!

[@HiatusMobs]

Commitment right there!

[@daisymay6505]

You totally deserve a promotion 👍

[@laneybaker6995]

My mom is a nurse and around my due date she got a ton of work of before

[@Ruthavecflute]

Wow. I'm glad you didn't go into labor during your shifts.

[@Han-vh8ql]

@@Ruthavecflute this was a slight concern haha however I had my hospital bag packed in my car and was within minutes of a labor and delivery unit if it really came down to it!

[@tommyross3298]

I was a medical transcriptionist for years, so I learned how to spell and occasionally decode medical terms but not any real understanding of them. Thank you for explaining the terms "fundus" and "extravasation." I never knew what they actually meant.

[@SolaScriptura-n-cats]

I “died” on the table with my first baby back in 1991 d/t hemorrhage. This was hard to watch even 30 years later, I remember it all. My girl was huge and perfect, btw. 🥰 And I’m obvi still here. 😁

[@kayleigh1132]

I’m a student midwife from the UK, I find it interesting to hear about how maternity care differs in different countries so massively! Like in the US, it’s obstetric led, yet in the UK its midwife led! It would be interesting if you were to watch an episode of one born every minute to perhaps see how UK care differs! (Personally one born every minute doesn’t perceive what maternity care is really like, but it’s still got the foundations there!) :)

[@heathercontois4501]

The reason US maternity care is obstetric run is because medicine is run my insurance rather than the government taking responsibility for the wellfare of its people. I know that system is not perfect either, but it is better than ours.

[@missylee3022]

In the U.S. it's crap. Don't be like us lol

[@honestytoafault]

love the show ONE BORN EVERY MINUTE!!!!

[@Echodolly6]

@@ZitaM242 midwives in the uk are trained differently than US midwives. In the US, they're trained to assist births but the doctor always leads, whereas in the uk they are highly trained to be THE experts when it comes to childbirth and lead births. It's mainly down to funding. It's a lot cheaper to pay a midwife than a doctor so it's better for the NHS's finances to train the midwives to a higher standard and let them work in place of a doctor. Here in the UK, the only time a doctor would lead a birth is when there was a complication/risk in a pregnancy. I know I got better care from my midwives than any OB I saw during pregnancy. In fact, my OB was very rude and wanted to induce me at 37 weeks for no reason other than me being fat. He said "fat women always have huge babies, so I want to induce you now because your baby will be 11lbs by 40 weeks". He had never met me before or scanned me or anything. My midwife, who had been through my entire pregnancy with me told me to stand my ground as there was zero medical reason to induce me. My daughter was born at 41 weeks weighing 6lb 7oz. So much for fat women only having huge babies. I know I personally would never trust a doctor with my pregnancies over a midwife but that's down to the way things are in the uk. We tend to train our midwives to a doctor's level and also our doctors do not follow our pregnancies like they do in the US. In the US you see the same doctor throughout. In the uk, you see whichever doctor is working when you go into labour.

[@eternallyhiz]

Actually midwives (at least in the northeast) are very much the same as in the UK, OBs are only really involved in a birth/pregnancy if they are high risk or there are complications. I had fantastic midwifery care here in the US! I do know it can vary by region here though.

[@renatasutherland9843]

They made me do an enema in South Korea when I had my first son. And during my second pregnancy a crazy doula that I was about to contract told me that I should have 2 enemas every day for 2 weeks before my baby was born. Of course that after that I didn't get her services. My mom is a midwife in Brazil and she was very scared when I told her how the Korean do their job. They have all the best technology in world but they don't touch you during the entire prenatal. Everything is checked through ultrasound. I had 10 or 12 ultrasounds during my first pregnancy and 7 during my second because I refused to do one ultrasound every single appointment.

[@UskInaTE]

“Pregnant women should bicycle or ride scooters” Hah! You should come to the Netherlands and see all the pregnant ladies on bikes here. With toddlers. 😂

[@binknbaby]

Yeah, I think a better statement would have been "don't try to learn something that requires a great deal of balance while you're in your third trimester". It makes sense with it being a new skill, but less sense just having a full kibosh on all of it.

[@milaalaniva775]

After living 12 years in Copenhagen I was laughing so hard. Yep!

[@xjayniewhittaker3782]

During the filming they used real midwifes from the 50’s to instruct the actors how they should be performing the births and they brought in their own equipment for the tv show to use to make it as realistic as possible 🙂

[@lisahamilton1759]

Ok pregnancy scares the bejesus out of me but I cannot stop watching your channel. It's so interesting although I still dnt want a baby haha

[@elizabethgrazier8334]

Same I love this channel even though I plan on getting my tubes tied

[@yarnpower]

Yes, babysit for friends and family to know if you want to be a mom. Pregnancy is not the hardest part, it is having patience, not minding having little free time for the first 3 years and enjoying being around babies and children. I have raised 3 kids and loved most of it. There is nothing wrong with not choosing to be a parent. You can still have a lot of fun being a great aunt or befriending a child of a friend to give a mom a needed break.

[@linzzeyc6652]

yarnpower thats a great idea. i dont want children but my brother does and i cannot wait to be a cool aunt. hahaha

[@kimp7160]

Pregnancy was scary for me with complications but the kids are worth it. It's why the horror show that was my pregnancy with my son didn't stop us from trying for daughter. It isn't for the faint of heart though, when you are facing issues like complications, infertility and miscarriages. We did stop after 2 for a reason though.

[@SeahorseTrash]

Lisa Hamilton deadass I already don’t want kids and this just cements that lmao

[@VixenVilleInge]

You should watch the Downton Abbey episode where Lady Sybil gives birth (S3E05 I believe). I found it pretty interesting given opposing medical opinions shown and the result. It's a pretty intense episode but I think it'd be a good one for you to shed some light on :)

[@rudafruu]

CTM also deals with a preeclampsia/full-blown eclampsia case, in Season 1, Episode 4. The Downton Abbey case was also very interesting. My grandmother died from it when my mother was 3 days old. It was shocking, both shows, and really gave me my first bits of understanding and imagining what my grandmother really went through.

[@heidijones7361]

Yes. Do that one! That episode made me so mad.

[@Pratchettgaiman]

You should know, having just watched that episode recently, if you were tearing up at the episode of Call the Midwife, the episode of Downton Abbey is going to be rough

[@katieanne6137]

As soon as pre-eclampsia was mentioned I thought of downtown abbey.

[@cassylow9418]

I think someone has... I remember watching a video of that a few weeks ago... She'd never seen downton before n found it really emotional...

[@abaddonnnnn]

Call the Midwife genuinely makes me cry on a regular basis and the finale of last season had me sobbing

[@mandylester9360]

What season did they stop at? I was watching via Netflix and it stopped shortly after the wedding.

[@abaddonnnnn]

@@mandylester9360 Series 8 just finished airing in the UK so I think they'll add series 7 soon onto netflix. The finale of series 7 had to do with Septicemia and Meningitis but I wouldn't watch it as a stand alone episode, I'd definitely watch the whole of the season before hand.

[@mandylester9360]

@@abaddonnnnn I think I stopped at season 5 😬 it was the wedding of the pastor that trixie dated and whats her face lol they were called off. Thats the last thing I remember.

[@hannahl1092]

My grandmother lived in UK during the timeframe this show is set. She said the only requirement back then to have home birth was to have a sink in your bedroom 😆 She had my mother during this time. Certainly gave me perspective on how things were for grandma compared to me now with my boys in AU. (My family is American, we just both ended up marrying abroad).

[@saskialavey1994]

There’s not a single episode of Call the Midwife that doesn’t make me cry. 13/10 show. And a few months ago never even thought of Midwives the way I do now! Absolute angels! 💕

[@carolannetitmus8878]

I do think it is impossible to compare with today's US OBGYN to post WW2 in a low-income area of bomb-torn London. Midwives and District nurses served their communities travelling in all weathers and at all times of the night and day by bicycle all over The UK. British TV is far more realistic and far less glamorous than in The USA.

[@LB-ou8wt]

@@MamaDoctorJones Also I think comparing is still worthwhile. A lot of people may have seen these shows and may be interested in what is the same/similar/different from this type of setting to modern day.

[@miasimonehunt]

you also have to remember they’re different countries and have different ways of conducting business, in the 1950’s in america i’m sure things were different then 1950’s england. as proven in one of the episodes of call the midwife when a high-maintenance american fiancé came to england with a english man.

[@virginiaoflaherty2983]

Better all around in my opinion.

[@mags8212]

I don’t think anyone is comparing. It’s just a fun video of her reacting to the episode

[@jadedbelle4788]

I think the very first ep is a good one to look at. It really shows the conditions that families were living in in that time period and the extreme conditions the midwives were working in.

[@13Amazons]

I hope you read the books. They are a fascinating look at London in the 1950s. Jennifer Worth's memoirs are also a good look at how systematic poverty can destroy the health of a commumity

[@SR-zp4je]

I’ve only read one but they are fascinating! I actually also know a lady IRL who was an East End midwife in the 50s and 60s, she says it was a lot like it is portrayed on the show.

[@xdanx01]

I love call the midwife!! Really enjoyed your review of the show. I’ve also cried through a lot of call the midwife episodes, this show really pulls on the heart strings. Please review another episode of this show, obstetrics is pretty fascinating.

[@jaspersmommy1347]

@@MamaDoctorJones There is an episode in the first season (season 1, episode 2) where Chummy delivers her first breech.

[@lindseyblythe944]

As someone who is a huge fan of call the midwife, I love this video!! Partly because it shows that the show is actually trying to be accurate, even if they dont get it right 100% of the time. It just shows how good the show really is! I also learned a lot. Thank you Mama Doctor Jones!!

[@anneliesjoss]

I love “Call the midwife”. This tv series is actually very educational, where most American medical tv shows ( Grey’s Anatomy, and the many others) are all about drama. I grew up in Belgium, I was born in 1963, and the scenery reminds me so much of growing up in Belgium, in the 60’s. I remember going to baby health checkups in a place very similar to where those happen in this tv show. My mom had three kids in three years, starting with her first one when she was 40 years old ( not very common back then), and she would take us to weekly checkups in the very large pram. The youngest, my brother, was laying down inside the pram, I ( the middle child) sat in a little seat clamped over the bassinet part of the pram, and my sister, the older child, tagging along, walking a few kilometers. I’m always amazed how their newborns actually are newborns, or very close to that, and the actors do an amazing job at making this look so realistic. In American tv shows or movies, the newborns are always 2 month old babies, smiling and everything, and often you see the mother delivering, sitting straight up in bed. How can anyone deliver a baby while sitting down on your bed or a chair? My daughter delivered her second baby 3 weeks ago, at 37 weeks, because she was diagnosed with preeclampsia( she had a few high blood pressure readings, although she also had normal readings in between, but they did find protein in her urine. She had no swelling or other symptoms). Her first pregnancy was a normal full term delivery.

[@aoi6]

My OB actually gave birth a month early- I was her last delivery that morning and her water broke later that day. She actually called me the next morning to let me know she wouldn't be able to see me for mt postpartum visit 😂

[@marshaway9984]

This doctor is so sweet! Don't worry about crying in your react videos; it just makes you look human with a caring heart!!!!!!

[@midnite1233]

My sister had an abruption with my nephew at 30 weeks and I was the only one there at the time for her emergency c section (so I actually got to watch them pull him out and put him on the ventilator), it was a mix of the scariest and coolest emotions all at once!! I am in pre nursing school and this experience showed me that I’m going into the right career field for me, and has definitely strengthened my bond with my sister and nephew!

[@picklecat4819]

I love this show, I've watched all seasons at least 4 times. I'm still utterly amazed at how the nurses and midwives of the time managed in such appalling conditions and brought so many babies safely into the world. Along with how well the deal with subjects like underage mothers, domestic violence, etc.

[@hannahdyson7129]

If you read the books the mother and baby mortality was very high . They cared for women who had illegal abortions , women who would die if they had another pregnancy , women who almost killed themselves trying to end the pregnancy themselves . One of the Nuns still alive who it was based on in real life said that Birth control was a blessing in a way because women didn't have to go through agony . It was a very sad time to be a women to be honest .

[@Rachel-xg7hs]

I got halfway through the video before I realized that “Chummy” is this character’s name and not a nickname like “pal.”

[@bubblegum8467]

It is a nickname, her name is Camilla but she is just commonly known as Chummy. Her name is actually quite long, or was before she got married.

[@nancymontgomery8897]

@@bubblegum8467 I was intrigued by how she called her mother "Mater". Never heard anyone else do that. I made me think of the pickup truck in the movie Cars.

[@bubblegum8467]

@@nancymontgomery8897Mater is greek or it might be latin for mother, might just be an upper class thing because if I'm remembering correctly, Chummy's mother was quite posh.

[@nancymontgomery8897]

@@bubblegum8467 She was indeed. Always had a snobby air about her.

[@philippak7726]

@@nancymontgomery8897 oh yes, Chummy comes from money, which is also why it's amazing to watch her do some things. She is very aware that her upbringing and manner puts her in opposition to many of her patients given the poverty of the area, but watching her strive to make honest connections and show just because she does come from a different background that she won't get fussy about mucking in with a pretty dress... that she just wants that honest happiness and best care for everyone. I love Chummy so much. she's a woman who knows what she wants in life.

[@algonzorithm]

If you ever get the chance, it would be great to see you react to the iconic ER episode 'Love's Labor Lost'. It's from the 90s but ER's still one of the best medical dramas IMO.

[@Kallielcastelao]

Every time I watch this goddam show I dehydrate from crying. Simply love it

[@debbief7276]

I LOVE "Call the Midwife" and this idea of Doctor Reacts is excellent. I love your humor, honesty, and explanations to what is happening. I was born in the early 1950s by emergency C-section after my mom suffered a placental abruption. They tried to induce labor (what??), but were unsuccessful. I was born at 38 weeks with no complications. The doctor who delivered me was the son of the doc who delivered my dad. The senior doc told my dad, "Congratulations, you have a daughter. Both she and your wife are alive." My mom had 3 other children.

[@willasyn3136]

I love how Lucille calls everyone precious ❤

[@DrRedRose8]

Basically every episode of CTM is a goldmine for gynecological information, but only season 5 episode 6 really traumatized me (many episodes of this show have made me cry but only that one has made me scream in terror).

[@thunder_heads]

What one was that

[@westernpink]

@@thunder_heads "A secret pregnancy threatens the life of a young girl after her mother takes matters into her own hands." What the mother did was horrifying.

[@stayc615]

@@westernpink oh. The mom plays midwife one, right?

[@johnopalko5223]

"Call the Midwife" was one of my favorite shows. I was always impressed by how accurate they tried to make it. Don't apologize; I was in tears, too.

[@AngieRay1981]

I read in an article that they use 60-70 newborns, up to 8 weeks old, PER episode, and that they work 15 minutes on/15 minutes off, with the set kept quiet and comfortable for the little ones to help prevent any stress. I am a binge watcher of shows, and i just recently watched this in a matter of only a few weeks, because of how great it is. I'm no physician, but I'm a caregiver/CNA and found this to be one of THE most accurate portrayals of real medicine by any show I've ever seen. Based on what we know to be factual in regards to not only the history of midwifery and general medicine, but as well as the povish society, stigmas, and social constructs of the times...... It was spot on. I love how they took Jennifer Worth's memoirs as the catalyst for the show, and how the writers approached the adding of different elements and story lines, which were not part of her memoirs, for seasons 4-11. Fun fact, though....much of the info that was used in said seasons that was in fact based on her memoirs, were from letters between she and the others. Truly accurate depiction of what poverty was like back then in general, specifically poverty with little to no Healthcare. It's interesting to watch the story of the NHS unfold, as well. We get an idea of what it was like at its infancy, and get to see how it progresses throughout the seasons, and the many different controversial issues regarding women's health, along with the political issues and Healthcare crisis that swept the nation. Perfect combination of medical, cultural, political, societal, and historical accuracy. Can't wait for seasons 12 & 13.

[@sarahrendel9940]

Wow. As soon as they lifted the blanket and looked horrified, I knew the placenta had broken. I was born as a result of a placental abruption, so it was really interesting to see the process in the show, and to hear you explain it and Milo's birth story. I'm glad you and Milo are healthy. My mom and I are healthy a well, so I'm grateful that we live in a time that can treat this quickly.

[@eli3568]

Ok I seriously don't know how I got onto your channel but it's very interesting and informative so I've watch multiple videos. Informed man=real man.

[@bridgeottos4434]

Can we just appreciate for a moment how beautiful your hair is?!

[@jessicad1914]

Can you do one of the delivery episodes of the Handmaids Tale??

[@Cinta-T-Carter]

Jessica D YESSSSSSSSS PLEASE OH MY YESSSS.

[@hayleymsiebert7526]

Yessss

[@CyclingM1867]

Gotta love Chummy!! She was such a trooper and a truly caring, encouraging person.

[@ChlorineBee]

We need more Call the Midwife reaction videos 🙌 You have thought me so much about my body, I pass on the baton everyday (making people subscribe!) ❤❤❤

[@lillianward2810]

Call the Midwife always has very close to newborn babies for birth scenes. I love that show so much. Every episode makes me sob.

[@tiffanyi5645]

Thank you KZbin for suggesting this channel!!! Between Mama Doctor Jones and Dr. Mike, I've made 2 awesome youtube discoveries!!!!

[@britney_2savage21]

Call the midwife Best show on the telly

[@pearlleones7334]

lol

[@pearlleones7334]

liki...

[@Jane-yg3vz]

The earlier season were great but as the series went on, it became very PC which would have never been the case back then.

[@britney_2savage21]

@@Jane-yg3vz Still miss Jenny Lee,Chummie Grown to love all the newcomers. but the original holds a special place

[@cathybernard3325]

Best show it’s far better then all the reality shows that’s on 📺

[@symplypeechie6496]

Call the Midwife is my favorite medical show. I have always wanted to be a midwife or delivery nurse but couldn’t fulfill that dream. This show helps me thru that missed calling.

[@terrid8880]

I had a partial abruption at 32 weeks with my third child. I was rushed to the hospital where I stayed on bed rest till 36 weeks. They induced labor after amnio to determine that the lungs were mature. I delivered vaginally with no issues but bled a lot after. My baby just turned 22. Thankful that it all turned out ok. 🙏🏻

[@Clarkscondensed]

I loved this and all your reactions. Call the Midwife is my favorite show - can never get through it without crying. I swear half the endings aren’t happy though. Placental abruptions are so scary. I was bleeding a lot with my last baby, and they kept saying “it’s more than we like, but we will keep going,” and I had my son pretty quickly. Afterward they said it was partially abrupted, and I’m grateful nothing worse happened. Anyways. Loved seeing your real emotion! Love your channel and Instagram ❤️

[@charliequartz2085]

i love call the midwife! i actually feel like i learned a lot about baby things from this show! i'd love to see you react to the episode of it's always sunny in philadelphia called "dee gives birth"! it's hilarious and the whole thing is set during the birth of dee's baby.

[@simplystreeptacular]

I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS EXISTS AND YOU ARE REACTING TO MY FAVORITE EPISODE OF ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE TV SHOWS

[@junerussell6972]

While I wish it wasn't necessary, I'm so glad that you are talking about this. Call the Midwife has had several arcs about the dangers of not having safe abortions available. The sad thing is that many of them occurred long before this year when we started to regress in our ability to safely care for people who can get pregnant. I still remember when I was in pediatric residency and had a teen who was trying to avoid a second pregnancy. She had epilepsy and her first baby had fetal hydantoin syndrome. (The FP service transferred her to peds after her baby was born because she was a "recalcitrant" patient. I suspect they didn't listen to her. During her first pregnancy, she kept going off her meds because she was afraid of what they'd do to her baby. She had seizures, of course. Rather than trying to help her understand that the seizures were as bad as the Dilantin, they kept berating her for not taking the meds.) She and I had long talks where she explained how she didn't have a choice to "not have sex." We tried to use BCPs but in those days we were limited in what was available. (We were also limited in what anti-epileptics were available. Phenobarb had not stopped her seizures. Valproate was new at that time, but again, it didn't stop her seizures, and would probably have caused a fetal valproate syndrome anyway. Only Dilantin worked for her.) She couldn't tolerate the BCPs (as she got clot problems.) We tried to get an OB to give her an IUD, but he refused because she was only 16. (She was 14 1/2 when she got pregnant with her first baby.) And he categorically refused to sterilize her. (This was in North Carolina, so another OB wouldn't have been any more helpful.) Then she got pregnant again. As you can imagine, she was devastated. Fortunately, NC at that time allowed Medicaid to pay for abortions, but they limited the number that they would pay for each year. If a patient was presenting during the time of year when they were running close to the quota, it might be denied so that they could save the "spot" for someone who "needed it more." She didn't need a referral from me but was able to convince them that she did "need it more." I finished my residency not long after that, so I don't know how she fared. But I think of her often. She is a constant reminder that not everyone has the choices that some members of our society have.

[@kayliesimpson8900]

My first pregnancy was perfect. My second one is when I had preeclampsia and had to have him about 36 weeks or 37 weeks. He was 5lbs 9 oz. I was terrified but now he's gonna be 5 and super happy.

[@grannylyn757]

Call the midwife is one of my favorites! I've shed more than my share of tears on that series! Another show, from Australia, is a tad spoofy, about an OB hospital, called Offspring.

[@JLO72]

This is a really old episode episode as Chummy no longer in show. Babies in show are typically under 3 weeks as face changes. The reason so accurate is because the show is based on detailed diaries of a real midwife, as well as there are doctors and midwives on set to help with accuracy. Can you do New Amsterdam series finale.

[@reyon2673]

Everybody IS doing a Real Doctor Reacts series, but yours is the only one I wanna watch :)

[@kylienychole7678]

This is crazy. I looked on your channel to see if you had talked about a placental abruption and I didn't see anything so I randomly clicked this one. This happened to me. 36 weeks. It happened at work with just a bit of blood in my underwear. I tried to drive myself to the hospital but my coworkers wouldn't let me. I was 30 mins from the hospital. I thought my water was breaking bc I felt it through my winter coat. I prayed for him to move and felt a slight kick. When we got to the hospital I got out of my coworker's car and her tan leather seats were covered in blood. I lost over 2 liters of blood. I bled the entire 2 hours. It was my firstborn and was absolutely terrifying. It took them almost 2 hours to take me for an emergency c-section. We both survived 🙌 He's a healthy 7 year old on the Autism Spectrum. * Wow you had one as well!? What are the chances?

[@MrJoeyBionic]

I'm sure you've seen "ER", the tv series. I'd love to see your reaction to one of it's strongest episodes, "Love's Labor Lost"

[@Polopony20.]

when i saw your face when the woman`s water broke i actually started to cry cause i knew it was something was wrong. This is my first video from you and i really enjoyed it because your funny and your expressions make it helpful for someone like me who listens while working and glances up occasionally, totally subscribing

[@kristenharris7386]

I loved this! I wondered how realistic call the midwife is... glad to see they put an effort into authenticity. You should do an Ob/Gyn reactes to Downton Abby season 3 episode 5. The episode deals with eclampsia in pregnancy, but in the 1920s 😱

[@adelaidepineau3856]

I'm not On and I was so pissed of... I shout to my TV !!!

[@lindamcdonald4399]

I had preeclampsia with my only child. Watching an earlier episode of Call the Midwife (the pre-eclampsia killed the mum) made me curious about the condition and treatment. I was very shocked to find out that successful "treatment" (most women with prenatal care didn't die) happened in the late 70s! I always knew I would have died on the Oregon Trail, but had no idea that people were regularly dying from it up to the 70s. Thanks for bringing your heart to this episode.

[@colleenmarie8772]

I love Call The Midwife.It’s very well done. I love your commentaries.Keep up the good work and I’d love to see more of these episodes.Thanks Mama Doctor!!

[@Polisciandfries]

I love Call the Midwife 💜 I cry every episode 😭

[@Famegonna9999]

Me too. Even happy episodes

[@cathybernard3325]

I know right

[@Xnedrashallan]

I don’t know if you have seen Hart of Dixie, but the first/pilot episode has young lady who has melasma on her face, and ends up having an unexpected home delivery at a doctors house, with an emergency symphysiotomy. The show follows a newly graduated doctor who becomes a small town general practice doctor and her interactions with the residing older small town general practice doctor. It would be interesting to see your thoughts on this episode! Loved this review btw!

[@emmapark8530]

The thing is that your reacting to a show of the 1950s in a poor at the time part of London so things like safety on a motorbike for a pregnant women wasn't really an issue as such and later on in the tv series says about thalidomide with in the 1960s was a wonder drug and of course it was not.my mum was given faster oil when she was pregnant with me in 1982.the series has several real life midwives who have study up or trained in the 1950s and 1960s so for me it's very much a true to the past tv series done very very well

[@ellekaye83]

My thoughts exactly! And also things are different midwife led to obstetric led. They may not show it in the tv show as it would be boring/repetitive but they did (and still do) urine/BP/HR/Fundal Height and auscultate the fetal heart at each midwife appt! In an Obstetric led clinic this stuff is still done (usually by the midwife...) before the doctor reviews them.

[@Annie_Annie__]

Having had fairly severe hyperemesis, I can see why people were so quick to jump on thalidomide as a “wonder drug”. Even today with our technology and meds my son and I both could have died, and he was born very, very thin with complications related to that. At certain points in the pregnancy even putting a single drop of water on my tongue would cause me to throw up. I needed help just going to the bathroom or washing my hands and brushing my teeth because I was so weak. I couldn’t even watch tv because seeing food on the tv would make me sick again. There were times when I’d vomit every 15 minutes for days on end. It was like having food poisoning for 8 months straight. It was absolute hell. If a doctor had handed me a prescription and said “this is a wonder drug that cures hyperemesis”, I would have taken it as fast as I could. I can see why doctors would have pounced on it too. Like I said, having hyperemesis is hell, so of course doctors and sufferers were eager to stop it. It’s really sad that it wasn’t safety tested like it should have been and that it wasn’t taken off the market as soon as it was clear that it wasn’t safe.

[@Jane-yg3vz]

@@Annie_Annie__ It is a wonder drug. It's still used to treat leprosy and cancer and some babies are still born with deformities but I guess the benefit outweighs the risk.

[@Annie_Annie__]

Nay Nay I wouldn’t describe it as a “wonder drug” now. Not like it was when it first came out. Doctors were told that it had no negative side effects at all and was safe for any stage of pregnancy. Because of this, it wasn’t just given for hyperemesis, but also for simple, mild morning sickness. The way it was touted as being risk free is almost without equal. Now we are much more likely to talk about risks vs benefits, especially when it comes to any medication or treatment during pregnancy. Thalidomide is largely why we are so cautious about meds in pregnancy these days.

[@brandyb2931]

My mother rode dirt bikes when she was pregnant with me. My dad used to race and my family rode alot when I was young. My dad was also a firefighter and he was injured during a fire, the floor gave way beneath him and he injured his back so that ended his racing and firefighting days. My dad was the only certified smoke diver that our county in Florida has ever had. They don't even offer the certification anymore because of the rate of dropouts.

[@szwolinski4587]

The pre-eclampsia scenes really hit close to home for me. I got a call to pick my wife up from work and take her to see her OB/Gyn. The doc walked in, took a brief look at her, turned to me and asked if I was willing to drive her directly to hospital or should he call an ambulance. The hospital was just over a mile away, but there was a nurse with a wheelchair at the emergency room door when we arrived. By the time I parked and got to her room, she was in bed hooked up to all kinds of gadgets including a fetal heart monitor. There was a discussion about inducing or delaying labor since she was in the beginning of her eighth month. They recommended that it was safer to deliver the baby as soon as possible. At 2:20 PM on October 6, 1995, 6 pound 2 ounce Rhiannon Alyssa joined our family. It was only after further research that I realized just how close I came to losing my wife, child, or both. It is hard to believe that my little Rhee is currently finishing her PhD in microbiology - viral DNA/RNA mitigation.

[@Darwinsmom]

Two women I have known have suffered abruptions. The babies in both cases did not fare well. In the first case, we almost lost Mom, and baby did not survive. In the second, the Mom very nearly did not survive due to blood loss and her baby suffered prfound brain damage. The second baby was so badly affected that she only had brain stem function and could not even maintain her body temperature. She passed away at the age of four but had been blind, deaf and terribly impacted by her birth injury. Both of these cases were devastating for the fmilies and for those who loved them. This episode of Call the Midwife really struck me and brought me back to the occasions when my friends were broken by abruptions. Beautifully told stories in this series!

[@niftynic115]

Every episode of call the midwife is this emotional. Love that show!

[@SavannahLogsdonBreakstone]

Would love some stuff on sexuality during pregnancy and in the post partum period. Seems to be a little taboo- a lot of sex Ed channels seem to shy from this period in life and a lot of pregnancy channels are pretty vague. I know unless there’s certain complications sex during pregnancy is safe etc but I’d love more info at the sort of level of knowledge you might be able to share. Thanks! I hope you also continue this series, as contrary to my mothers experience I have been finding dramatic and/or traumatic pregnancy focused media soothing (I’m about 34 weeks.) I’m not about to seek out rosemary’s baby intentionally or anything but...

[@Cemommster]

Postpartum depends on how the delivery goes.

[@deaconsmom2000]

I've watched this episode at least five times and here I am, crying all over. I love Chummy and I love this series. They don't all have happy endings, not even for the midwives or the sisters. I think there would have been rioting if anything happened to the Chummy character or to baby Freddie.

[@miriamshv]

I had my first child in Russia 19 years ago and they still did enema before admitting to hospital and shaved you too. I'm sure they still do it even now.

[@rosesweetcharlotte]

Is the shaving really necessary?

[@dottiestalski9022]

It does not matter how many times I watch this episode, I cry every time! So emotional and such great, touching acting