EastEnders SPOILER: Whitney and Zack reach breaking point after devastating news about their baby

Whitney Dean and Zack Hudson are going to reach breaking point after finding out even more devastating news about their baby girl Peach.

In next week’s episodes of EastEnders, Zack and Whitney argue about leaving their daughter at the hospital and are left shaken.

Doctors had just revealed to them that their daughter’s existence is not legally recognised as Whitney’s pregnancy did not reach past 24 weeks.

If a baby is born before 24 weeks, for legal reasons this is known as a miscarriage, and the registering of the baby’s birth is not needed.

And after hearing of the upsetting news that their daughter had a rare case of Edward’s Syndrome, the pair struggle to take on another blow.

SPOILER: Whitney Dean and Zack Hudson are going to reach breaking point after finding out even more devastating news about their baby girl Peach

FIRST LOOK: In next week's episodes of EastEnders, Zack and Whitney argue about leaving their daughter at the hospital and are left shaken

FIRST LOOK: In next week’s episodes of EastEnders, Zack and Whitney argue about leaving their daughter at the hospital and are left shaken

Zack (James Farrar) takes solace in the hospital faith room and is agitated by the nonchalant attitude of an expectant father.

Whitney (Shona McGarty) softens to the idea of spending time with Peach after speaking with Nurse Lynsey.

Zack and Whitney then go on to share a tender final moment with their daughter before saying goodbye.

Hearing about the difficult news, Sonia enlists the Walford residents to create a condolence box for Whitney and Zack. 

But later on, Sonia struggles to put pen to paper when considering what words to write in support of Whitney and Zack’s loss.

She goes on to seek guidance from Lola to ask for advice on what Whitney might need to hear right now as a grieving mum.

Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) has continued to worry about money when Lily revealed she needs new uniform.

This is on top of the worries of her being pregnant and the costs that will soon amount with a baby added to the family.

But with Whitney’s circumstance playing heavily on her mind, Stacey feels more grateful than ever for her family.

Difficult: Doctors had just revealed to them that their daughter's existence is not legally recognised as Whitney's pregnancy did not reach past 24 weeks

Difficult: Doctors had just revealed to them that their daughter’s existence is not legally recognised as Whitney’s pregnancy did not reach past 24 weeks

Coming soon: If a baby is born before 24 weeks, for legal reasons this is known as a miscarriage, and the registering of the baby's birth is not needed

Coming soon: If a baby is born before 24 weeks, for legal reasons this is known as a miscarriage, and the registering of the baby’s birth is not needed

Preview: And after hearing of the upsetting news that their daughter had a rare case of Edward's Syndrome, the pair struggle to take on another blow

Preview: And after hearing of the upsetting news that their daughter had a rare case of Edward’s Syndrome, the pair struggle to take on another blow

Coming to terms: Zack (James Farrar) takes solace in the hospital faith room and is agitated by the nonchalant attitude of an expectant father. Whitney (Shona McGarty) softens to the idea of spending time with Peach after speaking with Nurse Lynsey

Coming to terms: Zack (James Farrar) takes solace in the hospital faith room and is agitated by the nonchalant attitude of an expectant father. Whitney (Shona McGarty) softens to the idea of spending time with Peach after speaking with Nurse Lynsey

Appreciative: Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) has continued to worry about money when Lily revealed she needs new uniform. This is on top of the worries of her being pregnant and the costs that will soon amount with a baby added to the family. But with Whitney¿s circumstance playing heavily on her mind, Stacey feels more grateful than ever for her family

Appreciative: Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) has continued to worry about money when Lily revealed she needs new uniform. This is on top of the worries of her being pregnant and the costs that will soon amount with a baby added to the family. But with Whitney’s circumstance playing heavily on her mind, Stacey feels more grateful than ever for her family

Last week, Whitney was devastated to learn that her child has been diagnosed with the birth defect Edwards Syndrome, 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…

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.

Last week: Last week, Whitney was devastated to learn that her child has been diagnosed with the birth defect Edwards Syndrome, and must decide whether to go ahead with her pregnancy

Last week: Last week, Whitney was devastated to learn that her child has been diagnosed with the birth defect Edwards Syndrome, and must decide whether to go ahead with her pregnancy

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

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

Research: 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

 Research: 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

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.

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

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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