Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Call the Midwife includes many scenes of pregnant women with large exposed bellies plus breasts and pelvises covered by clothing or sheets. The women are sometimes in labor, and panting or screaming with pain. The viewer sees many scenes of babies emerging from a mother, though the mother's body is shielded by camera angles. There is some blood and gore, as when one mother hemorrhages after giving birth and we see the blood on a nurse's hand. There are also shots of a stillborn baby, and concepts such as prostitution, incest, rape and adultery are discussed frankly. Expect mild cursing and rough language such as "ass" or "whore." One central character dies, and infants and mothers are frequently in mortal jeopardy. Teens who watch may gain a deeper understanding of what their mothers and healthcare providers went through to bring them into the world, and may have more sympathy for moms and grandmothers.
Sexual
Content
No nudity is shown; patients wear shirts that are pulled up to expose their bellies, and though we see babies sliding out of their mothers' bodies, private parts are covered by sheets or artfully posed legs. Couples both married and unmarried flirt and kiss; the viewer often sees couples going into or returning from private rooms or alleyways with the implication that sex is just about to or has taken place. Incest, prostitution, adultery, and rape are all referred to, sometimes directly, sometimes obliquely.
Violence
Call the Midwife centers around childbirth, so there are numerous scenes of women lying in bed, moaning and/or screaming in pain. There is some blood, during hemorrhaging when a midwife's hand is shown dripping with blood. A few very disturbing shots of gray, supposedly dead infants, and an abortion is discussed rather graphically. In one episode, two women fight in the street, slapping and calling each other names. Babies and mothers are frequently in jeopardy.
Language
Occasional "ass," "whore."
Social
Behavior
Call the Midwife is centered around a (somewhat unconventional) workplace, so we get to see caring and hard-working professionals doing their jobs compassionately. There is an underlying recognition of the value of service, helping the poor, seeing dignity in everyone, and the beauty of life.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
There are many references to liquor and drinking; characters drink onscreen (but not while on duty), and sometimes act a bit silly. Pregnant women frequently smoke cigarettes onscreen, particularly in the waiting room of the convent's patient facilities.
