EastEnders’ Nicola Mitchell has been heartbroken after a premature birth leaves baby Ivy in NICU while she remains isolated and unable to hold her newborn daughter
EastEnders’ Nicola Mitchell has given birth to a baby girl, but she is now battling for her life.
Last year on the BBC soap, Nicola (Laura Doddington) found out she was expecting George Knight’s (Colin Salmon) child after a brief romance with the former professional boxer.
George pledged to stand by Nicola throughout her pregnancy, which she appreciated, and the delighted couple soon discovered they were having a daughter.
During Thursday’s heart-wrenching episode in the Square (April 2), George discovered Nicola collapsed on her living room floor, writhing in agony.
Nicola maintained it was merely false labour as she was just 31 weeks pregnant, and the café owner proposed they visit the hospital as a precaution, reports OK!.
While under medical supervision, Nicola’s waters ruptured, and she was whisked into the emergency theatre with a placental abruption requiring an immediate caesarean section.
Subsequently, the medic told George he had a newborn daughter who was in intensive care. Nicola, though, had developed a temperature and required isolation during her recovery, preventing her from cuddling or seeing her little one.
The revelation left Nicola heartbroken, as George was obliged to maintain his distance while sharing the news. The couple then decided to name their daughter Ivy before George went to meet his youngest child.
Next week, Nicola stays in isolation while still recuperating and becomes progressively agitated as she remains apart from her beloved baby, Ivy.
During a visit to the NICU, proud father George is offered skin-to-skin contact, which he declines, as he wants Nicola to be the first to hold their baby.
Unable to see Ivy, Nicola has a row with George and blames him for the predicament, arguing that he’s been too preoccupied with his new restaurant, Knight Fusion. Nicola then becomes resolute in her desire to see Ivy, but how far will she go?
Later in the week, a recuperating Nicola finally gets to hold Ivy. The heartwarming scene prompts George to confess his love for Nicola, but she doesn’t reciprocate.
Upon hearing about the exchange, Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) advises Nicola not to let her past spoil her future. Exhausted and weary, Nicola and George continue to visit Ivy, finding it hard to leave her.
As Nicola continues to struggle following her premature labour and Ivy’s distressing birth, will she reconsider George’s declaration of love?
