Ep 6. Midwife Crisis

In Doc Martin season 4 episode 6, titled "Midwife Crisis", the village of Portwenn is facing a shortage of midwives, forcing Louisa to take on the role of a local maternity nurse. Meanwhile, Dr. Martin Ellingham is preoccupied with the arrival of his abrasive and overbearing mother, Margaret, who has come to visit him after her husband's death.

As Louisa struggles to juggle her duties as a midwife and her own pregnancy, tensions rise when a home birth goes wrong and the baby's life is put in danger. Dr. Ellingham is forced to step in and try to save the baby, even as he butts heads with the baby's mother, who refuses to follow his instructions.

As the situation becomes more dire, Dr. Ellingham and Louisa both find themselves questioning their ability to deal with the pressures of their respective roles. When Margaret offers to help out with the midwifery crisis, Dr. Ellingham is skeptical but ultimately allows her to take charge.

However, Margaret's unconventional methods and abrasive personality quickly clash with the other midwives, and tensions escalate when a second home birth takes a dangerous turn. With the baby's life on the line, Dr. Ellingham and Louisa must work together to save the day, even as they struggle to contain their own personal dramas.

As the episode draws to a close, the residents of Portwenn must come to terms with the fallout from the crisis, including the resignation of one of the midwives. Dr. Ellingham is forced to confront his difficult relationship with his mother, even as he tries to come to terms with his own shortcomings as a doctor.

Overall, "Midwife Crisis" is a gripping and emotionally charged episode of Doc Martin, exploring the complexities of pregnancy and childbirth in a small rural village. With strong performances from the cast and plenty of drama and tension, it's a must-watch for anyone who loves medical dramas or character-driven storytelling.