EASTENDERS fans have slammed the soap for being ‘unrealistic’ when it comes to a dramatic pregnancy storyline.
Last week, viewers watched Nicola Mitchell give birth to a baby girl at just 31 weeks pregnant – meaning the newborn is placed in neonatal care.
The soap also showed how Nicola was kept apart from her baby in the days following her labour, with doctors saying that due to Nicola having a ‘virus’, she couldn’t meet her daughter.
Now, fans have been discussing the storyline online, dubbing it ‘unrealistic’ that the mother and baby would be so separated.
Taking to Reddit, one wrote: “Basic facts ignored in order to make a dramatic storyline.
“Unless a mother is so critically ill she is unable to move, or harbouring a highly infectious disease, she will be able to meet her preemie newborn.
“Gowns and masks can be used where appropriate but there is no way that simply a raised temperature and a “virus” would be a reason to keep mum and baby apart.
“Particularly where the baby is at 31 weeks, and is not overly vulnerable.”
Several fans joined in on the thread to agree, and share their own experiences with premature births.
“I never left the hospital for weeks after my babies either , Nicola back on the square in a couple days was ridiculous,” wrote another.
A third agreed: “Mine’s 11 years old and I have no idea what it’s like now, but they absolutely encouraged us to be there as much as we wanted,
“With the only restriction being ward round time, and we were lucky enough to get parents accommodation as well, so we were very close.”
However, one user said that Nicola’s experience “resonated” after going through the same thing during a premature labour 20 years ago.
Ahead of the premature birth storyline, EastEnders bosses sought advice from charity Bliss for the storyline.
Executive Producer, Ben Wadey, said: “This storyline follows Nicola and George as they navigate the challenges and shared concerns of neonatal care with their premature baby, and the impact it has on them and their families.”
Annelies Hopkins, Information and Support Manager at Bliss added: “As the UK’s leading charity representing babies born premature or sick, and their families, we were grateful to be consulted on this important EastEnders storyline, which shines a light on the unexpected, distressing and often traumatic experience of having a baby in neonatal care.”
EastEnders continues tonight at 7.30pm on BBC One.
