Title: Dealing with the Past
Fandom: Call The Midwife
Rating: G
Length: 338 words
Summary: Childhood events still have an effect on Sarita Gupta
Spoilers for Series 10 Episode 6

"Thank you, both of you, so very much, for all you’ve done for us,” Raj Gupta said.  “For delivering my beautiful baby boy, and most of all for making Sarita feel safe.”

“We just did what we could,” Dr Turner said.  “Sarita did the hard work.”

“But she trusted you, and that made it easier for her.  She told me that you changed the sheet partway through.  A small thing, but it meant the world to her.  It meant that you understood her.”

“I can’t imagine what she went through,” Sister Frances said.  “And how it’s had such an effect on her.”

“But that isn’t necessary.  You believed her.  You didn’t tell her just to stop cleaning, knowing why she was doing it, but warned her about the use of chemicals.  And much more than that you gave her the choice, so she could choose where she felt safest having our baby.  I still remember, after you had left that day, Sister Frances, how Sarita turned to me with a smile and said, ‘She asked me what I wanted.’”

“We like all our mothers to have that choice,” Sister Frances said.

“I’m sure you do.  But for Sarita, it added to her sense of safety.  Her memories are of being forced into something she didn’t want to do, and of women having no say in what happened to them.  She had that say, and it all helped.”

“Do you think Sarita will accept counselling?” Dr Turner asked.

“I think she will, but perhaps not just yet.  The baby is taking up all her time at the moment.”

“Of course he is.”  Dr Turner smiled.  “It wouldn’t be for some months yet.  We can talk about it when the time comes.”

“And in the meantime, we look forward to seeing Sarita at baby clinic,” Sister Frances said.  “I hope she will come.”

“She will certainly be coming.  She has already told me at least three times the day and time.”

Sister Frances laughed.  “I’m so pleased to hear it.”