Discussing Faye's pregnancy, teen character Craig asserted that her unborn child would move less the closer she got to her due date.
Concerned the exchange may misinform viewers, stillbirth charity, Count the Kicks, released a statement which described the characters' dialogue as "simply misleading with potentially dangerous consequences."
Craig, played by Colson Smith, discussed an unborn child’s movement in the controversial scene, saying: “I’ve been doing some reading up online. Can you feel it moving about less, the baby? As it comes closer to the time, it moves about less because it’s not got as much space.”
Expressing concern that viewers may take Craig’s comments as fact, Count the Kicks took to social media, tweeting: “Babies movements DO NOT slow down at the end of pregnancy. A change in movement can be a key warning sign the baby is in distress.”
Urging viewers to disregard the exchange which took place between Faye and Craig, the charity went on to tweet: “Any change in fetal movement should be reported to your maternity unit for further assessment.”
The charity weren’t the only people expressing concern about the misinformation, with viewers taking to social media to express their own concern, writing: “Our son was stillborn after reduced movement at 41 weeks. A careless comment in your script last night I’m afraid. @countthekicks”
Commenting on the controversy, a spokesperson for ITV said: “Craig’s interpretation of what he read online was that of a 16-year-old boy who does not have any knowledge of pregnancy."
Thanking the charity for their contribution, the spokesperson went on to say: “We are very grateful to the charity for raising awareness of the fact that babies should continue to move right up to birth.”
