Christmas is coming, and in Poplar the midwives of Nonnatus House are busier than ever. When an abandoned baby is discovered on the steps of the convent, the whole community rallies round to provide food and clothing, and to try and trace his mother. Meanwhile, Jenny Lee finds herself drawn into the mystery surrounding elderly local woman Mrs. Jenkins, while Chummy is determined to stage an unforgettable nativity play.

An unexploded bomb is discovered in Poplar, throwing festivities into chaos.

When harsh conditions at a home for unmarried expectant mothers are exposed, Chummy and Patsy are required to take over the running of the home, and later help a young mother decide that she is not as set on giving her baby up for adoption as she had thought. Cynthia wrestles with a calling to become a nun, but an encounter with a former mental hospital inmate helps her to make up her mind and she leaves midwifery behind to become a postulant.

Festive cheer is in plentiful supply as Poplar readies itself for Christmas. An unexpected surprise for a grieving mother helps bring the Christmas magic home, while Nonnatus is rocked to the core when one of its own goes missing.

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.

Barbara treats a pregnant woman whose dockworker husband is struggling to support her as opportunities for work dry up. She is forced into a difficult decision that leaves Barbara facing the biggest test of her career. Nurse Crane meets a kindred spirit when she learns to speak Spanish, and Sister Evangelina helps a woman with breastfeeding, leading to unforeseen consequences.

A outbreak of typhoid erupts, and suspicion over who the carrier could be threatens to break apart a closely knit family. Sister Winfred faces a personal dilemma when a local teacher is revealed to be pregnant by a married man. When the woman takes matters into her own hands, Sister Winifred is forced to consider the role her own prejudices may have played. Meanwhile, Barbara inadvertently agrees to go to dinner with Tom, but is wracked with worry about how Trixie will react.

Sister Julienne is seconded to a maternity ward, and is impressed by how modern technology is being used to help the mothers - but is left with a moral dilemma after assisting on a traumatic birth. A young man from Poplar is delighted to be accepted into university, but his mother is less than happy. His dreams are jeopardised when his girlfriend gets pregnant, a development that puts pressure on the whole family.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The nuns are trying to help a tiny struggling mission hospital on the Eastern Cape. But can they save the hospital from closing down – and perform a Christmas miracle a long way from home?

Documentary in which Stephen McGann, who plays Dr Patrick Turner, explores the social and medical changes that took place in the 1950s and 60s relating to childbirth. Along the way, Stephen meets midwives, nuns and doctors who helped deliver babies during the period.

Boxing Day sees heavy snowfall covering the country and the adverse weather causes major disruption across Poplar as roads become blocked and pipes freeze meaning families have to queue outside for water from standpipes. Sister Julienne must inform a family about the death of their loved one and uncovers an uncomfortable truth, while Valerie helps an unmarried couple living in a caravan prepare for their baby, but unforeseen complications knock her confidence in her ability as a midwife. Guest starring Anita Dobson.

As Poplar prepares for Christmas, the nuns leave for the Mother House to vote in a new mother superior and to help care for a group of Chinese orphans. Meanwhile, Trixie returns to Poplar refreshed and is shocked to discover that many mothers no longer want to give birth at home.

Mother Mildred and the Nonnatus House team head to the Outer Hebrides in response to a nursing shortage.

The circus comes to Poplar, putting a magical spell on its residents. A delighted Shelagh is reacquainted with an old friend, and Trixie receives an unusual gift.

As Call the Midwife celebrates its tenth anniversary on screen, the cast and crew, past and present, take a look back at some of their favourite moments from the hit show over the past ten years. This special programme goes behind the scenes at Nonnatus House and gives viewers an insight into how the costume, design, music and make-up teams work to finesse every detail seen on screen.

Christmas promises to be a memorable one at Nonnatus House as Lucille and Cyril prepare for their upcoming winter wedding. The Nonnatus team are faced with their busiest Christmas Day ever as the Maternity Home is filled with expectant mums-to-be, each with their own challenging case. Luckily Mother Mildred is on hand to support the team.

The Turners support a family still suffering the devastating effects of thalidomide, Miss Higgins is involved in an unexpected delivery, and the community stages a talent show.

As Poplar prepares for Christmas, Sister Monica Joan fears this could be her last. Dr Turner and the midwives deal with a complicated multiple birth, and Cyril helps a war veteran.