EastEnders’ Lauren rushes baby Jimmy to hospital and a diagnosis follows

Little Jimmy gets a life-changing diagnosis (Picture: BBC@)

Lauren Branning’s (Jacqueline Jossa) worst fears are realised in EastEnders’ next week when her newborn son is rushed to hospital and given a shock diagnosis. 

The beloved character gave birth to her and fiancé Peter Beale’s (Thomas Law) second child earlier this month, with her hated mother-in-law Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) helping her through the labour. 

But after bringing the baby Jimmy home later this week, concerns begin to grow that Lauren’s recent struggle with addiction could have impacted the newborn. 

In forthcoming scenes, Lauren, who became addicted to prescription painkillers last year, is having a difficult time with Jimmy and fears she’s a bad mum. 

Lauren is facing challenges already following Jimmy’s birth (Picture: BBC)

She receives some words of advice from recovering alcoholic Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and as the two women discuss their experiences with addiction, Linda encourages Lauren to listen to her maternal instinct that something isn’t right with Jimmy. 

However, Lauren is later frustrated by her health visitor’s reaction to her concerns about her baby. 

Later, the worried mum notices something when looking at Jimmy’s eyes and rushes to the hospital to demand an emergency appointment, concerned Jimmy may be blind.

Meanwhile, Peter panics when he and their other son Louie arrive home and Lauren isn’t there. He’s even more worried when Louie innocently says he’s seen Lauren taking pills. 

Linda tries to offer some advice (Picture: BBC)

As Lauren gets increasingly agitated at the hospital, her midwife Hannan rings Peter, who shares his fears that Lauren has relapsed. He then rushes to the ward with his dad Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and Linda in tow, and Lauren is incredulous that he thinks she’s using again. 

Their argument soon pales, though, when a consultant finally examines Jimmy and tells Lauren and Peter their son is severely sight-impaired.

The reeling couple try to process Jimmy’s diagnosis, but Lauren is later given hope after some meaningful conversations with Stacey and Lily Slater (Lacey Turner and Lillia Turner). 

How will she and Peter find their way through their latest challenge?

EastEnders airs these scenes from Monday 19 May at 7.30pm on BBC One or stream first from 6am on iPlayer.