‘It can drive women to suicide in some cases’

Call the Midwife star Helen George previously opened up about the “horrific” condition she was diagnosed with while pregnant.

The actress shot to fame playing Trixie Franklin on the BBC show. Helen has also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and Shark! Infested Celebrity Waters – a repeat of which airs today (July 19).

Away from the TV shows, Helen is a proud mum to two young daughters – Wren Ivy and Lark – who she shares with her ex-partner Jack Ashton.

However, during her pregnancy with Wren Ivy, Helen was diagnosed with a “horrific illness”.

The actress opened up about the condition (Credit: BBC)

Call the Midwife star Helen George on ‘horrific’ condition

In 2017, Helen gave birth to Wren Ivy a month earlier than expected. What’s more, just two days before she gave birth, Helen found out she had a condition called ICP (intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy).

ICP is a liver condition that can have serious side effects. It can even cause stillbirth in expectant mothers.

Talking about the condition, Helen told Event Magazine: “The side effects are mainly a really strong sense of itching. I was scratching myself so much I had bruises all over my body.”

The Call the Midwife star went on: “It’s awful. It can drive women to suicide in some cases. It’s a horrific illness.”

It affected her second pregnancy, too (Credit: ITV)

Helen’s ‘pregnancy was so uncomfortable’

Helen’s condition also led to the premature birth of her second child, Lark, in 2021.

During her second pregnancy, Helen said on Instagram at the time: “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 bloody everywhere.”

She then revealed she was put on medication at around 30 weeks and said: “I have to say this pregnancy was so uncomfortable and painful. I thought the second would be easier, but it really wasn’t. Spreading the world about this sometimes fatal condition is really important to me.”