A poignant look at a headstrong group of women dedicated to serving the poor of East London by delivering babies in the 50s and 60s.

Call the Midwife is a British drama about nurses and nuns who are also midwives. They travel on bikes to expecting mothers' homes to deliver their babies. The show, narrated by Vanessa Redgrave, takes place in a poverty-stricken 1950s neighborhood of East London called Poplar. Even though these women live in a period where you don't expect women to be outspoken and assertive, they roundly disprove that stereotype. Viewers watch as the midwives navigate different social issues and the reality of childbirth during that time, while balancing their work with their relationships outside the show. The show highlights the bliss and bitterness of their professional and personal lives.

This show was recommended to me by a co-worker, and at first, I didn't think a show about nuns delivering babies would hold my interest. After watching the first episode though, I was compelled to keep pressing “next episode!” What surprised me most about the show is that it takes place 65 years ago and some of the social issues these women face in their lives are the same social issues I face in my life.

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Outside of the social commentary, it’s still a great watch. The midwives all have their unique personalities that sometimes clash with each other, but at the end of the day, these women care for each other and the community they serve greatly. Each episode has a dynamic storyline that will stay with you long after you've finished watching it, both because of the babies and their romantic lives. It's fun watching the women gossip about their significant others while sipping their cup of tea. The show is charming and fun, but it will also pull at your heartstrings and make you cry. Trust me, it's worth the watch.