This episode of Call the Midwife opened with the arrival of Sister Catherine, a postulant and student midwife. She comes just in time for the staff of Nonnatus House to tackle some big issues: abortion access and vaccines. It’s interesting how similar the issues of 1970s London are to today’s. Vaccine skepticism and socio-legal differences of opinion on the ethics of abortion rights are still hot-button topics in our time.
We’re also introduced to Mrs. Trottwood and her son Andrew in this episode. In contrast to last episode’s parents, the Lasleys, Mrs. Trottwood chooses to care for her child with a significant disability. It has not been easy for her. Her husband left rather than face the family’s difficulties and Mrs. Trottwood is overwhelmed and stressed and momentarily loses her patience with her son.
But for the most part, her life is one of dedication, perseverance, and advocacy for her son. According to the plotline, Andrew contracted measles at age 2, and presumably developed a complication called acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, or “ADEM.” Only about 1 in 1,000 people with measles will develop ADEM, so it is rare, but very dangerous. ADEM impacts the body’s central nervous system and carries a 10% to 20% mortality rate. Those who survive ADEM commonly have residual neurological abnormalities, such as cognitive defects or epilepsy.
The Nonnatus team wraps around this family to support Andrew’s physical and social needs, thereby supporting his mother. I love this picture of health care delivered in the context of community. Living in community with Mrs. Trottwood and Andrew enables the midwives to see the full picture of their needs and inspires them to call on others, like Mayor Buckle, to provide additional care in their areas of expertise or influence.
Finally, this episode demonstrates the power of community relationships in public health efforts when Mrs. Trottwood uses her voice to educate other mothers about the benefits of measles vaccination. Her real story did what the posters and pamphlets from the medical team could not: reach the hearts and minds of mothers in the neighborhood.
Lila Humbert, CNM, began practice as a certified nurse-midwife in 2018. Her entire midwifery career has been at Vanderbilt Birth Center.
