Farewell to the East End summary

The Midwife's Journey

In Farewell to the East End, Jennifer Worth takes us back to the East End of London in the 1950s, where she worked as a midwife. The book begins with a poignant account of her first delivery, a breech birth, which was both challenging and rewarding. Jennifer introduces us to the nuns and midwives she worked with, sharing the triumphs and tragedies they faced as they helped the women of the East End through their pregnancies and births.

She takes us on a journey through the streets of Poplar, where women gave birth in squalid conditions, to the convent where the midwives lived, and to the homes of the women they cared for. Jennifer's compassionate narrative introduces us to the women of the East End, their resilience, and their unique ways of dealing with life's challenges.

Life in the East End

As the story unfolds, we learn about the lives of the women Jennifer cared for. She describes the poverty, overcrowding, and the struggles of families to make ends meet. However, amidst the hardship, she also finds joy and humor. We meet Mrs. Jenkins, who was on her 25th pregnancy and was still as excited as if it was her first, and Mrs. Conchita Warren, who was a gypsy and had her own way of doing things.

Jennifer also shares her experiences with the immigrant community in the East End. She recounts the story of a young Irish woman, Mary, who was forced to give up her baby for adoption and the struggles of a Maltese woman, Mrs. Begum, who was ostracized by her community for marrying a British soldier.

Challenges and Triumphs

Throughout Farewell to the East End, Jennifer Worth doesn't shy away from the difficult aspects of midwifery. She describes the challenges of delivering babies in cramped, unhygienic conditions and the heartache of stillbirths and infant mortality. She also shares her experiences with women who suffered from severe post-natal depression and the lack of support they received.

Amidst these challenges, Jennifer also shares the triumphs and joys of midwifery. She celebrates the new lives brought into the world, the strong bonds formed with the women she cared for, and the invaluable lessons she learned from the experience. She also introduces us to the advancements in midwifery during this time, such as the introduction of gas and air for pain relief during labor.

Leaving the East End

In the final part of the book, Jennifer Worth reflects on her time in the East End. She shares her thoughts on the changing role of midwives and the impact of modern medicine on childbirth. She also discusses her decision to leave midwifery and train as a nurse, marking the end of her time in the East End.

As we bid farewell to the East End with Jennifer, we are left with a deep appreciation for the women she cared for, the midwives and nuns she worked with, and the unique world of the East End in the 1950s. Farewell to the East End is a moving and insightful portrayal of a time and place that has since disappeared, but whose spirit lives on in Jennifer Worth's heartfelt narrative.