The star gave birth to a baby girl called Ivy Wren in September, whom she had with her co-star and partner Jack Ashton, who plays Reverend Tom Hereward.
The 33-year-old actress, who plays Nurse Trixie Franklin, became pregnant before the start of filming season seven of the BBC show, and had to be written out of a couple of episodes.
Yet as the historical drama kicked off tonight, fans were sharing their delight at the producers’ clever ways of hiding Helen’s burgeoning bump.
Taking to Twitter, viewers couldn’t hide their glee as they proceeded to spot a myriad of props and techniques to shift attention from the star’s stomach.
“Loving the variety of ways they’re hiding Helen’s actual pregnancy: clipboard, another person’s baby bump, other people, baggy clothes #CallTheMidwife,” one person posted.
Another fan said: “LOVING the props used to disguise @helen_george baby bump #CallTheMidwife.”
“Watching @helen_george hide her baby bump is wonderful I’m SO HAPPY #CallTheMidwife is back!!” another viewer agreed.
“They are definitely covering up Helen’s bump well #CallTheMidwife,” a fourth added.
Speaking to Radio Times, creator Heidi Thomas explained how Helen’s birth was worked into the show, insisting it wasn’t a problem for the writers logistically.
“Helen was able to graciously retire – she just had a couple of episodes off,” she revealed. “But we were working towards that.”
Helen also teased exactly how her bump was hidden on-screen, putting it down to the magic of props and some seamless editing.
She added: “I was pregnant in the series, so you just kind of see me walk across the screen sometimes with odd fashions. I’d sit down a lot, or I’m also wearing lots of capes.
“It wasn’t a correct storyline to choose for the character, as well. It wasn’t right for Trixie to be pregnant.
“So we just did our best to cover it up.”
The episode also saw Trixie finally admit to being a virgin to her fellow nurses on the series, in an emotional scene that saw the normally stiff character break down in tears.
Having agreed to stay in a hotel with divorced dentist Christopher, will the character manage to let herself get intimate with her new beau next week?
Call The Midwife continues Sundays at 8pm on BBC One.
