Helen George gave birth to her first child, Wren Ivy in September and while the couple were overjoyed with their daughter's arrival, she was born premature.
Now the Call The Midwife star has revealed the reason why, explaining that she suffered from ICP during her pregnancy.
ICP - intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy - is a liver condition that occurs when acid builds up in the body and can be catastrophic, causing still born and premature births.
Helen explained, "The bile acids can actually pass into the baby through the placenta and have devastating effects.
"There's a higher risk of stillbirth and it can lead to a very dangerous childbirth for the mother." "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 symptoms are also distressing for many women and Helen goes on, "The side effects are mainly a really strong sense of itching. I was scratching myself so much I had bruises all over my body.
"It's awful. It can drive women to suicide in some cases. It's a horrific illness."
But after seeking help from ICP support and taking blood tests, the doctors ordered Helen to have her baby right away and induced her.
Helen is now the patron of ICP support and she has praised them for helping her get through the pregnancy.
The actress plays Trixie in the aptly named BBC show Call The Midwife and welcomed her daughter Wren Ivy with her co-star and boyfriend Jack Ashton this year.
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