In a startling revelation that has shocked fans and fellow mothers alike, EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has disclosed she suffered a fractured sternum during the birth of her second child.
The 40-year-old actress, best known for playing Sonia Fowler in the BBC soap, shared the traumatic details of her childbirth experience during a candid conversation on the Table for Two with James Benmore podcast.
The Painful Truth Behind Her 'Straining'
Cassidy explained that what she initially described as "straining" during childbirth turned out to be something far more serious. "I fractured my sternum giving birth," the actress revealed, describing the intense pain that accompanied the unexpected injury.
The sternum, or breastbone, is the flat bone located in the centre of the chest that connects to the ribs via cartilage. A fracture in this area can cause significant pain with every breath, movement, or cough.
A Challenging Recovery Journey
The actress detailed how the injury made her postpartum recovery exceptionally difficult. "It really went, and it was really painful," Cassidy confessed, highlighting the additional challenges she faced while caring for a newborn while dealing with the painful chest injury.
Fractured sternums typically take several weeks to heal and can make simple tasks like lifting, carrying, and even holding a baby incredibly painful during the recovery period.
Not Her First Challenging Birth
This isn't the first time Cassidy has spoken openly about difficult childbirth experiences. The actress is mother to two daughters - Eliza, born in 2011, and Joanie, born in 2017.
Her willingness to share these personal health struggles has been praised by fans and parenting advocates, who appreciate her honesty about the very real physical challenges that can accompany childbirth.
Cassidy continues to play Sonia Fowler on EastEnders, a role she's maintained since 1993, balancing her acting career with motherhood and now speaking openly about the physical toll childbirth can take.
