Jenny Lee starts her career as a midwife at Nonnatus House in London. She is surprised to find that it is a nursing convent and not a hospital. Her first case is a woman existing her 25th child!
A new girl arrives Nonnatus House and finds it hard to earn the respect of Sister Evangelina. Jenny sees an unfamiliar darker side of life following an encounter with a runaway.
Jenny does some district nursing to extend her community practice experience and befriends an old soldier with awful leg ulcers. Trixie and Cynthia enrol Winnie Lawson as a new patient.
A baby girl is snatched from her pram and the local community unites for the search. Cynthia sees another sort of loss as she tends to soon-to-be parents David and Margaret.
When Peggy’s brother is diagnosed with cancer, Jenny and the nuns are called upon to care for him. Jenny gets to know the siblings better. The Nonnatus House residents get involved in Fred’s latest money-making scheme which involves a pig called Evie.
When Chummy's imperious mother visits and disapproves of Peter Noakes, Chummy defies her mother and has her wedding on her own terms. Senile Sister Monica Joan is arrested for shoplifting.
Jenny celebrates her birthday with Chummy and the girls, but soon after finds herself taking care of a patient in an abusive marriage.
Chummy makes an important decision, Jenny reconnects with Jimmy, and Cynthia's conduct is called into question after the death of a baby she delivered.
Jenny is seconded to a short-staffed hospital in London, but grows increasingly reluctant to carry out her duties when she finds out she is working under intimidating surgeon Mr Tracey. Back in Poplar, the midwives are introduced to newcomer Jane and outspoken twins Meg and Mave Carter. The sisters are identical in every way, except one of them is now pregnant - forcing them to come to terms with the impact a baby will have on them.
A friend of Chummy's, Reverend Applebee-Thornton, comes to stay at Nonnatus House and soon gets on everyone's nerves. Meanwhile, Jenny and Sister Evangelina deliver a baby with spina bifida, and Sister Bernadette plays matchmaker.
Nonnatus House prepares for the annual summer fête, but when a baby show is announced, the girls must find a host for the proceedings. Meanwhile, a patient of Jenny's puts her life at risk, and Sister Bernadette remains troubled.
Doctor Turner is concerned by the spread of tuberculosis in the community, Jenny tries to repair a father and daughter's fractured relationship, and Sister Bernadette receives devastating news.
Cynthia has to administer daily insulin injections to diabetic John Lacey, a bully who consistently belittles his wife Annie. When Annie’s beloved son Bob pays a visit, Annie gains the confidence to start to turn her life around. Jenny looks after a black mother to be, Monique, who is subjected to racial prejudice from her neighbours.
The convent comes under threat of demolition. Fred's pregnant daughter and her young son come and stay with him. Jenny is wooed by a new love interest. Chummy and PC Noakes prepare for the arrival of their baby.
