EastEnders SPOILER: Pregnant Whitney makes a huge decision after her baby receives diagnosis

EastEnders SPOILER: Devastated Whitney makes a huge decision after learning her unborn baby has been diagnosed with Edwards’ Syndrome

Whitney Dean will make a heartbreaking decision about her unborn baby on next week’s EastEnders, after learning it has been diagnosed with Edwards’ Syndrome.

In upcoming scenes, Whitney is devastated to learn that her child has been diagnosed with the birth defect, and must decide whether to go ahead with her pregnancy.

Zack struggles to cope with his baby’s prognosis, and originally he is unable to support Whitney while she makes her decision.

It takes some words of support from Sharon Watts for him to come to his senses, and he heads to the hospital to support Whitney.

Desperate to comfort her, Zack tries to reassure Whitney that her baby’s diagnosis is not her fault, but she remains in the dark over his HIV diagnosis…

SPOILER: Whitney Dean will make a heartbreaking decision about her unborn baby on next week’s EastEnders, after learning it has been diagnosed with Edwards’ Syndrome

FIRST LOOK: Zack struggles to cope with his baby's prognosis, and he originally, he is unable to support Whitney while she makes her decision

FIRST LOOK: Zack struggles to cope with his baby’s prognosis, and he originally, he is unable to support Whitney while she makes her decision

In upcoming episodes, Zack (James Farrar) tries to remain hopeful as he and Whitney (Shona McGarty) head to the hospital to find out the results of their CVS test.

Their world collapses when their baby is diagnosed with Edwards’ Syndrome, leaving Whitney utterly distraught.

As the pair attempt to decide how they will move forward, Zack struggles to deal with his baby’s prognosis and can’t face joining Whitney at the hospital.

After some words of encouragement from Sharon (Letitia Dean), Zack heads to the hospital to support Whitney.

Later, a devastated Whitney pushes her loved ones away as she struggles to come to terms with her baby’s diagnosis.

After a heart-to-heart with Eve (Heather Peace), Zack knows he needs to be there for Whitney, and he rushes to comfort her and insist her baby’s defect is not her fault.

Will Whitney and Zack be able to move forward following the heartbreaking news?

EastEnders bosses previously confirmed that Whitney and Zack would learn that their unborn baby had been diagnosed with Edwards’ Syndrome.

Coming soon: In the upcoming scenes, Whitney makes a huge decision about her baby as her world collapses following the shock diagnosis

Coming soon: In the upcoming scenes, Whitney makes a huge decision about her baby as her world collapses following the shock diagnosis

At last! It takes some words of support from Sharon Watts for Zack to come to his senses, and he heads to the hospital to support Whitney

At last! It takes some words of support from Sharon Watts for Zack to come to his senses, and he heads to the hospital to support Whitney

Moving: Will Whitney and Zack be able to move forward following the heartbreaking news?

Moving: Will Whitney and Zack be able to move forward following the heartbreaking news?

Whitney’s heartache around her baby’s diagnosis comes as Zack continues to keep his positive HIV status a secret from her, despite insistence from his family that he needs to tell the truth. 

EastEnders is working closely with Antenatal Results and Choices and SOFT UK to accurately reflect and raise awareness of Edwards’ Syndrome whilst sensitively portraying the tough decisions that prospective parents are faced with following a diagnosis.

Edwards’ Syndrome is a rare but serious genetic condition, and 95 per cent of babies with the disorder die before they are born, while those delivered tend to pass away within minutes.

If a baby survives, symptoms can include low birth weight, cleft lip or palate, heart and kidney problems, hernias, bone abnormalities, frequent lung and urinary infections and severe learning disabilities.

EastEnders airs on Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

WHAT IS EDWARDS’ SYNDROME?

Edwards’ syndrome, also known as trisomy 18, is a rare but serious genetic condition.

More than 95 per cent of babies with the disorder die before they are born, statistics show. Those that are delivered tend to pass away within minutes.  

Some infants with a less severe form of the disease live beyond a year, but it is very rare to survive into adulthood. 

Edwards’ syndrome occurs when a baby has three copies of chromosome number 18, rather than the usual two. This severely disrupts their development.

The condition is thought to affect between one in every 6,000 to 8,000 births worldwide. 

It is rarely inherited and usually comes about at a random time during the formation of the sperm or egg.

If a baby survives, symptoms include:

  • Low birth weight
  • Small, abnormally-shaped head
  • Small jaw and mouth
  • Long fingers that overlap and underdeveloped thumbs
  • Low-set ears
  • Cleft lip or palate
  • Heart and kidney problems
  • Feeding and breathing issues
  • Hernias in the wall of the stomach
  • Bone abnormalities that lead to a curved spine
  • Frequent lung and urinary infections
  • Severe learning disabilities

Edwards’ syndrome is looked for in the scan pregnant women are offered on the NHS at 10-to-14 weeks.

Some women choose to terminate their pregnancy if Edwards’ syndrome is diagnosed.

There is no cure. Treatment focuses on addressing life-threatening issues, such as infections and heart defects.

If a child survives, they may need phsyio or occupational therapy to help with their movement.  

Source: NHS  

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