Helen George has been flooded with support from Call The Midwife fans after opening up on a painful health secret she'd kept hidden until after the series finale.
Helen plays much loved character Trixie Franklin in the hit BBC drama and, while her on screen alias wasn't at the heart of the dramas as a train crash left lives hanging in the balance, she took to Instagram on Monday to share why the previous night's episode hit home with her, lifting the lid on her battle with Cholestasis and praising the show for tackling the issue in a storyline.
The former Strictly star wrote: "After last night’s final episode of Call the Midwife, it seemed the right time to talk about my experience with Cholestasis in Pregnancy.
"In 2017 when I gave birth to our daughter Wren, I was diagnosed with this condition. I knew there was a high chance that I would suffer again with my second pregnancy, but I was under the most incredible specialists/doctors/midwives/health worker at Guys and St Thomas’s. So I felt safe.
READ MORE: Call The Midwife's future confirmed as viewers left emotional
"I started getting the itch a lot earlier with this pregnancy and it was infuriating. I tried everything, creams, baths all of it and nothing would work. I would scratch all day and all night, normally on my hands, shoulders, feet but that quickly increased to just bloody everywhere. I was put onto medication (Urso) at around 30 wks."
The 39-year-old said she often 'scratched herself raw' as the itching became unbearable, telling fans: "I have to say this pregnancy was so uncomfortable and painful. I thought the second would be easier but it really wasn’t."
"Pre term birth is always a possibility with this condition but I was so hoping it wouldn’t come to that. However, for me it did.
"I started having contractions whilst away but managed to race back to London and my obstetrician. He decided to perform an emergency C section that day, but I had to cross my legs whilst Jack raced to the hospital…"
Helen did reveal that her experience did have a happy ending as Lark came into the world, writing: "Lark was born on the 16th November to our chosen music, The Lark Ascending.
"The relief when we heard her first cry was overwhelming, a release of months of anxiety and the fear that this moment may not play out quite so successfully. Lark was born early but healthy and is doing so well.
"I was lucky, but more so, well looked after. ICP support were there every step of the way to help me with whatever questions I had. Please, if you are worried you may have Cholestasis in Pregnancy or have been diagnosed and need any advice, do reach out to them."
Helen's many followers swiftly reacted to her candid post, with one writing: "You coped tremendously in a very difficult circumstance," and a second commenting: "I was a paediatric nurse for at least 20 years of my nursing career and came across a lot of the subjects mentioned on the show the gastroschises was particularly poignant as a nursed a few of those in my career.
"Thank you for sharing your obstetric journey it doesn't just happen on CTM. Hurry back Trixie (Helen ) you were so missed."
For the latest What's On news, announcements and reviews direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
