Call The Midwife viewers affected by cleft lip and cleft palate have praised the programme for raising awareness of the condition.
In Sunday night’s episode of the BBC show a baby boy was born with a gap in his top lip (cleft lip) and one in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate).
Many viewers posted messages on social media congratulating the 60s-set drama on including the story.
“Massive shoutout to ‘Call The Midwife’ this week for including a cleft lip baby,” one fan said on Twitter.
“As someone who’s got a cleft lip, I appreciate it so much when TV shows address what it is and especially when they explain how it occurs. Thankyou.”
MASSIVE shoutout to ‘Call The Midwife’ this week for including a cleft lip baby. As someone who’s got a cleft lip, I appreciate it so much when TV shows address what it is and especially when they explain how it occurs. Thankyou @CallTheMidwife1! #CallTheMidwife
— Rachel Pantrey (@RachelAPantrey) January 27, 2019
One mother posted: “How good was tonight’s episode!! as a mum of a child born with a cleft lip, it was lovely to see this featured in the show.”
#callthemidwife how good was tonight's episode!! as a mum of a child born with a cleft lip, it was lovely to see this featured in the show ❤
— Nikki Emery (@nikkiemery85) January 27, 2019
Another said: “Two of my kids were born with cleft lip and palates. This tv show is dealing with it beautifully.”
Two of my kids were born with cleft lip and palates. This tv show is dealing with it beautifully. #callthemidwife
— Nick with a Beagletwathound (@NickAnderson27) January 27, 2019
“As someone born with a cleft lip I’m so touched by tonight’s episode. We’re not aliens we’re just the same as everyone else what a beautiful episode,” said another impressed viewer.
As someone born with a cleft life I’m so touched by tonight’s episode. We’re not aliens we’re just the same as everyone else ♥️ what a beautiful episode #callthemidwife
— P❁ (@MissP19_) January 27, 2019
“Amazing seeing the story on #callthemidwife,” said another fan.
“I was born with a cleft palate and my surgeon, speech therapist and food psychologist did amazing!”
Amazing seeing the story on #callthemidwife . I was born with a cleft palate and my surgeon, speech therapist and food psychologist did amazing! https://t.co/G5ZqTaCPs3
— Kayleigh Wain (@WainKayle) January 27, 2019
Another person tweeted: “Well done to the BBC for raising awareness of the condition and the effects of #cleftpalate on a baby’s swallow!”
Baby with cleft palate on #callthemidwife tonight! Well done to the BBC for raising awareness of the condition and the effects of #cleftpalate on a baby’s swallow! #aspiration #dysphagia #SLT2B #WeSpeechies #MyStudentSLTDay
— Josie Haggar SLT (@JosieHaggarSLT) January 27, 2019
According to the NHS website, a cleft “is a gap or split in the upper lip and/or roof of the mouth (palate). It is present from birth”.
The site said: “The gap is there because parts of the baby’s face didn’t join together properly during development in the womb.
“A cleft lip and palate is the most common facial birth defect in the UK, affecting around one in every 700 babies.”
Call The Midwife continues on BBC One.
