Helen George has spoken candidly about the birth of her baby daughter Wren, stating that her experience working on Call The Midwife prompted her to elect for a caesarean section. The actress has revealed that during filming of the hit BBC One show, she heard so many "horror stories" she was put off having a natural birth. "I haven't spoken about this before, but I chose to have a C-section," the 33-year-old star told the Radio Times. "It coincided with the fact that I had to deliver her early but, even without that, I would have gone for an elective caesarean because of what I'd learnt on Call The Midwife. Working on Call the Midwife means that lots of people tell you their horror stories about birth."
© Photo: BBCHelen George stars as Trixie Franklin in Call The Midwife
STORY: Call the Midwife star Helen George shares cute photo of baby Wren
She continued: "I'm not against natural birth. I'm pro whatever you feel is right for you. It's not because I'm 'too posh to push', it's about what I think my body is capable of. I'm not good with pain. I faint when I stub my toe. Not that a C-section is the easy way out. It's a major operation… If men went through labour, I think the majority would choose the pain-free way, but there is a feeling that women should have to feel pain."
Helen revealed that a lot of people had tried to convince her not to have a caesarean section, and said there is "a lot of shame" attached to choosing surgery. "I think there needs to be a national conversation about how C-sections are all right and they don't just have to be for emergencies," she said.
STORY: Call The Midwife's Helen George praises partner Jack Ashton for being a 'hands-on' dad
Helen and Jack's daughter Wren was born six weeks early
STORY: Call The Midwife new mum Helen George opens up about 'horrific' pregnancy complications
Helen welcomed her baby daughter Wren with her co-star Jack Ashton in September. The actress, best known for playing Trixie Franklin in the show about midwives working in the 1950s and 60s, gave birth at Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital in London; Wren had to be delivered early because Helen was suffering from intrahepatic cholestasis, a liver disorder that develops during pregnancy and which can be life-threatening for the unborn child.
