Monday night's episode of EastEnders attracted complaints from over 180 viewers about one particular scene.
Pregnant Dawn Swann, played by Kara Tointon, was chained to a bed and told she would be forced to have a Caesarean section.
The rivalry between Dawn and her lover's wife Dr May Wright, played by Amanda Drew forms the basis of the story line.
A spokesman for the BBC apologised, saying: "We are sorry if some people were offended by this drama unfolding."
The BBC said that 183 complaints had been received by Tuesday afternoon. Ofcom had also received 24 complaints.
Dawn was able to escape after grabbing the scalpel May was threatening to use to carry out the procedure.
Similarities with the Madeleine McCann Case resulted in a re-writing of the storyline last month.
No specific warning about the content of the episode was aired in advance, but a continuity announcer said before it began:
"Dramatic EastEnders now on BBC One - it's misery for poor Dawn as mad May puts her plan into action."
19 June 2007 | 
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