Call the Midwife fans were left in tears as the BBC programme returned for an emotional episode.

Call the Midwife fans were left emotional by the latest episode (Image: BBC)

*Warning: Spoilers ahead*

Call the Midwife viewers admitted they were moved to tears after the long-running BBC series highlighted the rare phenomenon of lithopedion, which occurs during pregnancy. The episode introduced the dinner lady, Molly Robbins (played by Kate Rutter) and her husband, Edwin Robbins (Philip Martin Brown), as a couple whose world was rocked after discovering that Molly had been carrying their calcified foetus for over 30 years. After interacting with a child at work, the dinner lady cowered over in pain, and after informing her concerned husband, Edwin urgently sought medical help.

It was during an operation to remove a “mass” that the surgeon and remarked: “There seems to be some calcification here.” He then jumped back in shock and admitted: “Oh my goodness, I certainly wasn’t expecting that.” It was later revealed that the couple had struggled to bear children throughout their marriage, and the revelation of the “stone baby” had left them stunned. Viewers were also left emotional as the midwives pulled strings to allow Edwin and Molly to finally meet their foetus. Taking to X/Twitter, one fan penned: “God, sobbing at #callthemidwife their first look at their baby.” As another pointed out: “‘Scenes you may find upsetting’ Oh god! Warning from the announcer before the episode starts.”

Call the Midwife explored a lithopedion (Image: BBC)

A third praised: “Great episode tonight. The actors playing the older couple who suffered the lithopedion were brilliant – their performance was so compelling.”

“Kate Rutter and Philip Martin Brown take a bow. Absolutely beautiful performances as Molly and Edwin on tonight’s episode,” shared one fan.

An emotional fan added: “Tonight’s ep was so good omg. Never fails to make me cry as usual #CallTheMidwife.”

As one shared: “God, sobbing at #callthemidwife their first look at their baby.”

After her operation, Molly was left distressed after she overheard the surgeon welcome other health experts and label the calcified foetus a “monster,” but was quickly reassured that it was an outdated term and “not how it’s meant.”

Call the Midwife issued a warning about the episode (Image: BBC)

The dinner lady fought back tears and hit back: “I don’t care what they meant, that’s what they said, but that was our baby. The only one we’ll ever have, and they took it away to look at it, and talk about it and pass it around, and Lord knows what.

“It’s like it belongs to everyone else except us; we don’t even know it is.”

Review, gossip and upcoming show releases plus selected offers and competition Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

The couple were later informed: “The stone baby is being preserved in the archives of King’s College Medical School,” and was eventually granted permission to see the lithopedion.

After lifting the sheet, Molly was overcome with emotion and told her husband: “That doesn’t look like a monster to me.” To which he responded: “No love, me neither,” while marvelling at the stone baby.