Jeanie was seen in perfect health at the beginning of the episode (Picture: BBC)

***Warning: Spoiler Alert***

Call The Midwife’s harrowing illegal abortion storyline took a heartbreaking turn on Sunday night’s episode, when Trixie’s beloved friend Jeanie died as a result of one.

Already the mother to two children, she simply couldn’t afford to have a third, and after being turned away by Dr Turner, took a massive risk as she decided to go to an illegal clinic.

However, shortly after the procedure, it was revealed she had contracted a deadly infection.


Dr Turner is rushed to the family’s home to discover a deathly pale Jeanie lying in bed, and he realises he needs to get her to a hospital as soon as possible.



Unfortunately it was too late, and Jeanie dies before she makes it.

Later, when Trixie is questioned by police about the incident, Trixie delivers an impassioned speech about the importance of having abortions legalised.

She told the policeman: ‘Jeanie was unhappy. Jeanie was frightened. Jeanie did not want to have a baby, and I can also tell you that we see this all the time.

‘Young, young girls, exhausted older women, mothers who don’t know when their next penny or next beating is coming from, and others who want to take control of their bodies and their lives.

‘And All we can do is pat them on the hand and say “you’ll manage, everybody does”. But not everybody does. Not everybody believes us. So sorry. I can’t help you. I’m even more sorry that I couldn’t help her.’

Trixie delivers a heartbreaking speech about the truth behind abortions (Picture: BBC)

Dr Turner is racked with guilt over his choice to turn her away, but is reassured that he had to follow the law or lose his doctor’s licence.

Viewers heaped praise on the show for showing the importance of legal abortion methods with the heartbreaking scenes hitting a chord to those watching around the UK.

Watched #callthemidwife with a lump in my throat tonight. A topic so close to home here in Ireland, with abortion only becoming legal this year, and the realisation that what happened is still a reality for so many women in the world. Such a moving episode ❤️ — Rosie Hartley (@rosiehartley252) February 3, 2019

Another brilliantly moving @CallTheMidwife1 tonight and more social history education and discussion with my boys. Love my Sunday nights on the sofa and seeing how moved and humbled they are by the storylines #CalltheMidwife — Lisa Ward (@LisaWardComms) February 3, 2019

Another episode where I end up in tears. Let us not forget that this is still the reality for so many and why legal abortion is so important. Criminalising abortion doesn't stop it happening, it just stops it being safe #CalltheMidwife — Sarah James (@gmb_sarahjames) February 3, 2019

Call the midwife is never afraid to tackle such important issues. It is shocking that in some counties this is still ongoing. It's horrifying and saddening, women should not have to fight for rights of their own bodies. @CallTheMidwife1 #callthemidwife #bbc — Katherine Jayne (@justkatherine2) February 3, 2019

Although I don't agree with abortion #CalltheMidwife you showed why it is so important that all woman should have a choice. — Liz Groundland (@LizGroundland) February 3, 2019

Those poor boys lost their mother and he lost his wife, how is abortion still illegal in some places. A choice keeps women safe!! #CallTheMidwife — Mandy (@queenbpip) February 3, 2019

One mum watching the show praised the series for incidentally starting up a conversation around the topic with her sons.

‘It was a good conversation starter with my 13yo boy to explain why it was illegal back then and what the consequences were,’ they wrote. ‘Thanks for such a powerful episode.’

‘Although I don’t agree with abortion #CalltheMidwife you showed why it is so important that all woman should have a choice,’ one viewer added.

Another said: ‘Women should have the right to safe, legal abortion just as they should for safe, legal birth. If abortion is illegal it doesn’t stop it, just make it dangerous and deadly.’

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Illegal abortions have been a running plot throughout the 1964-based series, with another woman undergoing the botched surgery at the beginning of the series.

Abortions didn’t become legal in the UK until 1967, and only became legal in Republic of Ireland in September 2018.

In Northern Ireland, it is still illegal.

Call The Midwife continues next Sunday at 8pm on BBC1.

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