It's December 1968. The countdown to Christmas is on, as is the launch of Apollo 8's moon mission. Sister Monica Joan is convinced this could be her last yuletide and that she will not live to see man walk on the moon. Meanwhile, as Shelagh and Dr Turner navigate family life, they are unsettled when a parcel arrives from May's mother in Hong Kong. Sister Julienne makes a very generous offer to allow Colette to move into Nonnatus House for the foreseeable future. Nancy is thrilled to be able to spend every day with Colette and be more present in her upbringing.

April 1968. Racial tensions cast a shadow over Poplar, Nancy's eyes are opened when she supports a dying woman, and Nonnatus House welcomes a new sister.

Sister Julienne helps care for a first-time mother who is going through a challenging diagnosis. Lucille struggles with her own health, and Poplar celebrates the Whitsun Maypole.

Sister Veronica is shaken when a mother reveals a terrible truth about her marriage, whilst Shelagh cares for a baby with a life-threatening condition and Nancy harbours a secret.

The maternity home is thrown into chaos by an outbreak of gastroenteritis, and Nurse Crane fights to save her career. Meanwhile, Cyril encourages Reggie to seek help.

Episode 5
Call the Midwife
Series 12 Episode 5 of 8

Nancy oversees the care of Jill Mellor and her newborn baby, Mylene, a child she has had out of wedlock with Spencer Wray, a young man from the West Indies. Jill and Spencer live with his kind-hearted mother, Florence. Not long after the birth, Spencer's behaviour starts to raise concerns as it becomes increasingly erratic. Worried, Nancy calls on Dr Turner who refers Spencer for an urgent psychiatric review, but as Spencer's condition deteriorates more rapidly, things take a very unexpected and shocking turn.

Dr Turner and Sister Veronica arrange a men's health talk at the surgery to discuss male contraception and a new procedure, the vasectomy. At the same time, Dr Turner and Nurse Crane care for Annette Berkley, who has rheumatic heart disease and has gone against doctor's advice and fallen pregnant again.

Trixie supports an underage mother through a difficult time, Monica Joan welcomes an unusual guest to Nonnatus House, and Sister Veronica spearheads a new council initiative.

Everyone is looking forward to Trixie and Matthew's wedding and a bonny baby competition brings the community together. It's not all good news, however, as the team learn about a pregnant woman and her family living in a cramped caravan, while a worrying disease outbreak directly impacts the residents of Nonnatus House.

Dr Turner experiences the biggest test of his career, while Trixie's approaching nuptials cause stress levels to escalate. Sister Julienne hatches a plan to save Nonnatus House.