EastEnders’ Whitney Dean and Zack Hudson will discover that their unborn baby has been diagnosed with Edwards Syndrome in a hard-hitting new storyline.
The mother-to-be will learn of her child’s birth defect in an upcoming ultrasound, with bosses working closely with Antenatal Results and Choices and SOFT UK to accurately portray the impact of the genetic condition.
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.
Sad: EastEnders’ Whitney Dean and Zack Hudson will discover that their unborn baby has been diagnosed with Edwards Syndrome in a hard-hitting new storyline
Whitney (Shona McGarty) and Zack (James Farrar) will receive the diagnosis later this month when an ultrasound scan identifies a birth defect which prompts further testing.
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.
Tragic: The mother-to-be will learn of her child’s birth defect in an upcoming ultrasound, with bosses working closely with Antenatal Results and Choices and SOFT UK
Jan Fowler, Chair at SOFT UK said: ‘At SOFT UK, we support families impacted by Edwards’ or Patau’s Syndrome and we were pleased to be able to work with the EastEnders team on how they could approach the story of Whitney and Zack’s baby’s diagnosis of Edwards’ Syndrome in an accurate and sensitive way.
‘Around 3 in every 10,000 births in the UK are affected by Edwards’ syndrome each year and many parents contact SOFT for help.
‘We provide parents with comprehensive advice and support whether they decide to end their pregnancy or to continue. We also support families whose living children have Edwards’ or Patau’s.’
Scary: Whitney and Zack will receive the diagnosis later this month when an ultrasound scan identifies a birth defect which prompts further testing (pictured in a previous episode)
Jane Fisher, Director at Antenatal Results and Choices said: ‘At ARC we hear daily from expectant parents dealing with the shock of being told their baby is not developing as expected, as is sadly the case for those who receive an Edwards’ Syndrome diagnosis.
‘This is a distressing and often isolating time for expectant parents as they try and navigate their next steps in a state of emotional turmoil and it’s rarely spoken about.
‘Well done EastEnders for tackling this difficult subject and we are pleased they involved us to help them treat the storyline with such sensitivity and compassion.’
Chris Clenshaw, EastEnders’ Executive Producer said: ‘It was imperative for us to work alongside Antenatal Results and Choices and SOFT UK to accurately present, and sensitively portray, such an emotional storyline that many parents may relate to.
‘Shona [McGarty] and James’ [Farrar] performances have thoughtfully portrayed the realities of the diagnosis and the decision making process with compassion and understanding.
‘We hope that this story resonates with the audience, and that we represent it as sensitively, and as accurately as possible.’
What’s happened? It was revealed earlier this week that Whitney will receive concerning news about her pregnancy in next week’s episodes
It was revealed earlier this week that Whitney will receive concerning news about her pregnancy in next week’s episodes of EastEnders,
Whitney becomes concerned when she starts spotting and heads to the hospital to be checked out, and is stunned when her doctor shares her ultrasound has flagged up a situation with her child.
As Whitney comes to terms with the news, Zack admits he feels deeply shameful of his HIV diagnosis, and despite Sam Mitchell’s insistences, refuses to share his status with the mother-to-be.
Woes: Meanwhile, Zack admits that he is deeply shameful of his HIV diagnosis, and despite distancing himself from Whitney, is urged to come clean and tell her
Desperate to keep a distance from Whitney, Zack tries to help her by asking Kat to give her the buggy she needs without revealing he bought it.
Unaware of his HIV diagnosis, Kat (Jessie Wallace) can’t understand why Zack won’t be there for the baby, and he panics when he questions Sam on her decision to stay in Walford.
When he tries to probe further, Zack says too much and Sam is suspicious. Sam realises the text from the GUM (genitourinary medicine) clinic was about Zack, and he tells her he’s HIV positive.
Scared: Whitney is panicked when she experiences spotting, and Kat offers to go with her to the hospital to get checked out
Upsetting: At the hospital, Dr Lane shares the news with Whitney that something concerning has been flagged up on her ultrasound
Meanwhile Whitney is panicked when she experiences spotting, and Kat offers to go with her to the hospital to get checked out.
Having discovered he is HIV positive, Sam finds Zack to talk about his diagnosis and how she can be there for him.
Zack admits he is feeling deep shame and terrified about the stigma surrounding HIV, and Sam is furious when he admits he hasn’t picked up his medication, insisting he needs to be honest with Whitney.
Speaking at last: After his conversation with Sam (pictured), Zack finally goes to see Whitney, and she reveals the news about their baby – will he come clean about his HIV diagnosis?
Left in a daze by the news about her baby, Whitney struggles alone as Zack is yet to return her calls.
Kat suggests that she shouldn’t write him off just yet, and lets slip that he bought her the buggy.
Later, Kat collars Zack, and he tells her he’s going to Whitney’s place straight away, and as he profusely apologises, Whitney reveals the news about the baby.
Will Zack come clean to her about his HIV diagnosis?
EastEnders airs on Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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