The introduction of the contraceptive pill is welcomed by Dr Turner, but some of his colleagues are less keen on the idea. Patsy tries to help a bargee who wants to give birth among her own community rather than in a maternity ward. Nurse Crane deals with an emergency during a storm, and a familiar face returns to Nonnatus House - but has been changed by her time away.

An explosion at the docks brings heartache to the people of Poplar, whilst Sister Ursula continues to ruffle feathers with her unpopular decisions.

When a baby is born with severe deformities of the kind later identified as caused by the drug thalidomide, the midwives find it difficult to handle the situation, and the baby's father rejects her completely, to his wife's dismay. Trixie's new sideline as a keep fit instructor brings her into conflict with Sister Julienne, and she also becomes suspicious of the relationship between Barbara and Tom. Rather than return to Wales as her mother wishes, Delia moves into Nonnatus House.

Jenny celebrates her birthday with Chummy and the girls, but soon after finds herself taking care of a patient in an abusive marriage.

Jenny has an eventful few days, starting with a patient who as well as having herself to worry about, is also struggling to cope with her mother, an agoraphobic who hasn't been outside for at least 12 years. On top of that, Alec asks the midwife to accompany him to Brighton for the weekend, leaving her wondering if his intentions are strictly honourable. However, things soon take a tragic turn. Meanwhile, Shelagh joins the local choir to take her mind off her problems.

Turner and Shelagh are at the forefront of the advances in medical technology, and begin a campaign to ensure better respiratory health for their patients. However, Timothy fears their own lifestyle is not good for them and tries to encourage his parents to give up smoking. Violet injures her back and is forced to leave the shop in Fred's hands, a decision that strengthens their relationship but which proves to have other, unforeseen consequences. A new mother's past comes to light, with devastating repercussions for her family. Nurse Crane draws on her own experiences to help her.

Dr Turner is horrified to realise he may be partly to blame as the cause of the recent rise in birth deformities comes to light, and tries to prevent further cases. Sister Evangelina returns to work, but has clearly been affected badly by her stroke, and her health continues to deteriorate. A pregnant bride goes into labour during her wedding reception, while her mother is forced to come to terms with her grandchild being conceived out of wedlock.

Nonnatus House welcomes two new nuns. Valerie deals with a shocking case that arrives unexpectedly, and the other midwives must handle a complicated multiple birth.

Dr Turner helps the Mullucks cope with the stresses of caring for a disabled child as the terrible legacy of thalidomide becomes apparent and Nurse Crane faces an unexpected crisis.

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.

Valerie Dyer cares for a pregnant Somali woman and is shocked by aspects of this unfamiliar culture. The nuns and midwives try to provide the best care for Sister Mary Cynthia.

Lucille must win the trust of a mother who is terrified of giving birth. Nurse Crane and Dr Turner are anxious to find a possible smallpox sufferer.

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.

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 welcomes a new recruit, Nurse Valerie Dyer. A vulnerable young man captures Fred and Violet's hearts, whilst the whereabouts of Sister Mary Cynthia is a concern.

An unexpected turn of events leads to a wedding being hastily arranged. Shelagh finally goes into labour. The arrival of the pill leads to unforeseen consequences.

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 pair of school friends are unexpectedly reunited in the delivery room, and a mix up results in complications for both. Meanwhile, Barbara helps a couple in need of assistance, and Patsy's secret relationship with Delia pains them both.

Poplar is rocked by a series of violent attacks on women, and a prostitute is too ashamed to report what she knows - but her actions lead to a dangerous man roaming the streets, with devastating consequences for the residents of Nonnatus House. A mother tries to keep her daughter's pregnancy a secret to avoid gossip, putting her life in danger. The Turners go on a long overdue holiday, but the weather ruins their plans.

An expectant mother with financial struggles enters into a painful arrangement with her cousin. As Tom provides pastoral care, he reveals why this case touched him more than most.

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.

Barbara faces her most challenging case to date when she treats first-time mother Abigail Bissette and the birth does not go according to plan. As Sister Julienne struggles with the increasing financial pressure on Nonnatus House, a mystery benefactor comes to the rescue. Elsewhere Sister Evangelina is unimpressed by newly arrived nurse Phyllis Crane.

Phyllis deals with a diabetic teenager who has fallen pregnant, Sister Mary Cynthia comes into contact with a group of Irish Travellers, and Patsy organizes a square dance to raise money for the Cubs' trip to Norfolk.

Trixie and Sister Mary Cynthia help a deaf-and-dumb woman, and Barbara has a baffling case. Meanwhile, Fred's daughter arrives from Birmingham and interferes with his and Violet's engagement, and Delia has a proposal for Patsy.

Sister Julienne is drawn into the heart of a different culture when she is called upon to help a Pakistani family. Having come to terms with her own childlessness, Mumtaz Gani is heartbroken when her husband Saddiq brings home a second wife who is eight months pregnant. Sister Julienne must help Mumtaz come to terms with this new addition to her family.