TV programs such as the BBC’s Call The Midwife and C4’s One Born Every Minute portray birth inaccurately and should include safety warnings, say researchers

The Moans of Women in Labor helped make it one of the most popular dramas on television.

But Call The Midwife is having to revamp its medical aspects after a study found it did not accurately portray birth.

The Sunday night dinner risks misinforming prospective parents and professionals, researchers said as they called for safety warnings ahead of the screenings.

A team from King’s College London and the University of Liverpool analyzed 87 births featured in 48 episodes of three popular British fictional and reality TV shows: BBC’s Call The Midwife, This Is Going To Hurt and One Born Every Minute Channel 4.

They noted that they largely demonstrated modern updates to occupational care in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

A team from King’s College London and the University of Liverpool analyzed 87 births featured in 48 episodes of three popular British fictional and reality TV shows: BBC’s Call The Midwife (pictured), This Is Going To Hurt and One Channel 4’s Born Every Minute

The researchers found that images of midwives and doctors clamping the umbilical cord were inaccurately portrayed or dramatized as unimportant in a third of the cases. In the photo: It’s going to hurt

During birth, the umbilical cord is clamped between mother and child before being tied and cut. In the photo: It’s going to hurt

The procedure should only be performed one to five minutes after birth as it blocks blood circulation between mother and child while the baby begins to breathe. In the photo: A person is born every minute

But images of midwives and doctors clamping the umbilical cord are inaccurate or dramatized as unimportant in a third of cases.

It is alarming that harmful medical practices that can cause death and brain damage in premature babies are depicted as common practice on modern television shows.

Andrew Weeks, professor of maternal health at the University of Liverpool, said: “Health experts know that midwives and doctors should not cut off blood flow to the newborn or separate mother and baby without an urgent reason, yet this is what is seen in popular television programs are shown common practice.

“Inaccurate representations such as these, no matter how routine, can lead to misinterpretations of correct practice by the public.”

“The language used when programming ‘delayed’ or ‘delayed’ clamps can lead people to think they need to be done ‘early’ or ‘immediately’ when this is not correct.”

“This highlights the need for safety recommendations when television dramas depict birth practices and procedures that are outdated and inaccurate.”

During birth, the umbilical cord is clamped between mother and child before being tied and cut.

The procedure should only be performed one to five minutes after birth as it blocks blood circulation between mother and child while the baby begins to breathe.

If the umbilical cord is clamped too quickly, the risk is that the baby will no longer receive blood that reaches the pulmonary circulation.

The researchers found that umbilical cord clamping was rarely shown on television and received less attention on screen than the baby’s first cry or the umbilical cord cutting, a ritual that is now increasingly performed by the father.

Only four of the 25 cases were correctly reported as occurring after at least one minute, while the others occurred too soon.

Susan Bewley, professor of midwifery and women’s health at King’s College London, said: “Millions of viewers watch shows like Call the Midwife every week for entertainment, but the line between fact and fiction is blurring.”

“We are impressed that British television programs have accurately portrayed some of the changes in birth over the last century, but also given the public an insight into the poor quality of care when it comes to stress during labour.”

“These inaccurate representations can impact how people view health care in the real world.”

“On television, we saw premature umbilical cord clamping in most episodes, but no program informed viewers about the safety aspects.”

“When outdated practices are shown, broadcasters have a health obligation to inform viewers that this immediate medical intervention is no longer recommended.” “No broadcaster wants to broadcast the sleeping positions associated with infant death without comment.”