Call the Midwife - a step too far?

I gave birth to my second baby in 1969 and was slapped across the face by the midwife and told to be quiet and stop making all that noise
I don’t watch Call the midwife and I don’t take to feel good factors fact they are too far from real life

We loved it! I think Christmas specials of any programme always include elements of fantasy and feel good in abundance. The series is based on the original books but with an abundance of fiction. Long live uplifting fiction - especially right now. Happy Boxing Day everyone.

Alexa

Kate1949 , there should be feedback from patients so that nurse education may be improved. It should not be taken for granted by nurse educators that student nurses are all great empathisers.

If CTM does any good it is that any nurses watching may learn the patient is a person with feelings and usually feels very vulnerable.

Why would someone who can't empathize and recognize patients fears and concerns want to go into the nursing profession in the first place?

And if they do, why aren't they discouraged?

I agree about the spinsters Christmas Dinner and the bath cubes. I always bought them for my spinster great aunts . I thought they liked them!!

I thought they hit the nail right on the head with the ‘Spinsters Christmas dinner’ part, I’m sure that getting bathcubes and being sidelined was absolutely the way it was for single ladies of a certain age then.

I enjoyed it, as TV entertainment, not a documentary, although based on the books, poetic license is to be expected.

I had my 4 children late 50s, early 60s, 2 in hospital, the treatment was excellent except in hospital with the last one a grumpy midwife told me to keep still or I would kill the baby!!!! What a contrast to my 2nd child who was delivered at home by a lovely midwife who said quite calmly -“I want you to put your leg over my shoulder and keep very still as I’m going to cut the cord as it’s round the babies neck!! She was amazingly calm! That baby boy, out of 4 children is now aman of 60!!!!

Have just watched it, I thought it was lovely escapism.

With all that’s gone on in 2020 I am happy to watch anything that makes me smile. Totally fed up with news and broadcasts from No.10.

Haven’t watched it yet, and after reading the comments, not sure I will bother!

Lots of Christmas ‘Specials’ are anything but.

It was the most watched programme yesterday ( there was nothing else on) and I enjoyed it.
I only noticed the social distancing when they all trooped down the corridor and smiled into Sister Monica Joan's bedroom....no hugs!

I enjoyed it as usual. Sometimes it’s nice to have a bit of nonsense.
I do believe that there are many people who seem straight laced and drab that have a very different idea of themselves to the persona they present to the outside world.

Jane10,

"After she had her own babies she was appalled at the attitudes she and the other midwives had had previously."

Yes, and stories that are fact like Kate's, and fictions like CTM, are the best perhaps the only way way to learn vicariously.

My sister was a Midwife in the 1970s. After she had her own babies she was appalled at the attitudes she and the other midwives had had previously.
The social history aspect of this programme can be quite good at times. It would be better if the writers focused more on that.

Yes I agree Alexa

Having said all of the above, I still enjoy Call the Midwife. It's a bit of escapism.

Well, Kate, if your letters to Gransnet were used in nurse education it would be a benefit to their patients.

I feel really sorry for the young mother you were then, about to give birth. I said "feedback" and what I really mean is nurses and other medics need to be taught empathy and such human stories as yours is the best teaching method.

I had my daughter in Rochford hospital ( Essex) in 1971.
I was there for 3 weeks so I got to know the midwifes and some doctors quiet well. They were all lovely and caring.

I had my daughter in 1967 and, due to complications, was in hospital for nearly three months. The midwives were wonderful. The pupil midwife stayed on after a night shift to stay with me during labour and the birth because she had been with me for the induction and wanted to see the result.
Visiting times were limited to a couple of hours in the evening — husbands only during the week but, mothers’ parents could visit at the weekend.

As for CTM, I love it. It is good entertainment, if not taken too seriously. Why not have a bit of fantasy at Christmas?

I am often impressed by little details, having qualified as a general nurse in 1965, like correct RCN badges on the uniform. I would not have got away with Trixie’s hair, though. It was too long to wear on duty. Heavy make-up was not encouraged. I remember a colleague wearing green eyeshadow on night duty and getting caught by Sister Tutor. She was asked if she had gangrene and then sent sent to wash it off.

Alexa No one asked me for feedback in 1970! When I was sick with fear after an epidural, was told 'Well you'd better clean it up then hadn't you?'
I've never seen that on an episode of Call the Midwife. Apart from one young nurse on the ward, I don't remember anyone who wasn't sharp and aloof.

I loved the trapeze scene. I was a child again, flying with that sparkling costume on. I still go on the swings now with the grandchildren. ?

Kate1949 , there should be feedback from patients so that nurse education may be improved. It should not be taken for granted by nurse educators that student nurses are all great empathisers.

If CTM does any good it is that any nurses watching may learn the patient is a person with feelings and usually feels very vulnerable.

It was daft!

Sorry.

Should be explanation!!!

It would have made a big difference to me when I had my son in 1969 l was 19.The midwives and the medical staff in general were dreadful. I can't remember much of what l went through l think I've blanked it all out. My son was jaundiced l never had an exploration. I realize now from last nights programme it was to do with by blood group .

I like some rubbishy plays and CTM no exception. I usually like nun stories no matter whether the nuns are saints or demons.

I would go on a high trapeze in a small costume if I were paid a lot of money , or for a charity, not for pleasure.