It’s 1970 and the times they are a-changing. Joan is devastated to discover an infection has left her almost certainly infertile while delinquent teen Maggie is determined to discover the identity of her birth mother.

Shirley fights to keep her job as Maggie learns the truth of their relationship, Joan uncovers McNaughton's part in Greg Mathieson's death, and Viv loses her twins all over again.

Whilst being blackmailed by McNaughton's estranged wife, Joan rescues Maggie and other abused girls from Tarramar by agreeing to help Matron reopen her 'baby factory', Stanton House.

As Joan struggles to admit her infertility to Jim, Annie faces the death of her father, but not before he encourages her to go to Vietnam as an entertainer.

In Vietnam, Viv finds herself holding her newly orphaned baby nephew. Joan confirms Eva is pregnant as Patty and Jim give in to their lust.

While Viv is forced to leave her orphaned nephew behind in Vietnam, Joan is devastated when Jim does a runner to avoid jail - taking baby James with him.

Annie risks losing her unborn child when she is injured at an anti-war protest. Joan's career as a doctor hangs in the balance following her role in Eva's pregnancy. Shirley makes a life-changing decision to help Maggie keep her baby.

Dr McNaughton is prepared to sacrifice his career to help Joan and Jim escape criminal charges. But is he too late? A drunken bucks night ruins Patty's plans for Martha and Bowditch's wedding. Viv faces a tough choice when Pete proposes to her.

As wedding bells chime, new love blossoms as old loves are lost forever, and amidst betrayal and secrecy, Joan must face the hardest decision of her life.