Warning: Spoilers. House of the Dragon birth scene horrifies viewers

The first episode of the Game of Thrones prequel has dropped with arguably one of the most graphic scenes in history. WARNING: Spoilers.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD FOR HOUSE OF THE DRAGON EPISODE 1

House of the Dragon has finally landed, with the first episode featuring one of the most graphic scenes in the franchise’s history.

The prequel to Game of Thrones plunged viewers back into the world of Westeros some 200 years before the events of the original series, with the spotlight on the Targaryen family at the height of its rule. You can read our full recap here.

While there's a handful of on-brand gory moments in the debut episode – which is now streaming on Binge – one scene in particular has left fans “eternally traumatised.”

The scene, which is shown halfway through the 66-minute episode, sees Aemma Arryn (Sian Brooke) – the pregnant wife of King Viserys Tagaryen (Paddy Considine) – go into labour.

The birth scene from HotD has horrified viewers. Picture: HBO/Binge/Foxtel

Things aren’t going to plan, with Viserys forced to decide whether to let the birth unfold naturally – potentially losing both his wife and child – or have Aemma cut open while she’s still alive in order to save the baby. He reluctantly chooses the latter given his deep desire to have a male heir.

What unfolds is a bloody, nauseating scene where a confused and terrified Aemma is screaming as her baby is cut out of her.

The moment has attracted a wave of mortified reaction on social media, with many dubbing it the most “gruesome” scene they’d ever seen:

The show is on another level of graphic scenes.

— Deyvi Hernandez (@deyvi_hr) August 22, 2022

TW: Difficult Birth

If you are pregnant & want to avoid this theme DO NOT WATCH House of the Dragon.

— mamaRISSA✨ (@RissqueRay) August 22, 2022

I was not at all prepared to see Aemma Targaryen like that #HouseoftheDragonpic.twitter.com/Nf1iQHIgo3

— b.martina (@brittersplease) August 22, 2022

Watching Queen Aemma die during childbirth -after the deliberate choice to value her life less than her unborn child & sacrifice her life for birth - when #RoeVsWade is overturned & womens lives are treated the same as this fictional queen’s life had me sobbing #HouseoftheDragonpic.twitter.com/It63qbjyUd

— M.H 🌻 🕊 (@HoustonMH1757) August 22, 2022

There’s been so much death in this series but this scene of her giving birth with a no anesthetic c section?? Might be the most gruesome scene I’ve watched #hotd#HouseoftheDragon

— Em🔆 (@ejemell) August 22, 2022

Okay, so scene with Viserys making the choice was incredibly triggering. If you have any ptsd from birth or birth trauma, once Emma goes into labor you need to skip because I am not okay. #HouseoftheDragon

— Margaery Tyrell (@Margaery_Tyrell) August 22, 2022

Birth scene was GRAPHIC omfg… #HouseoftheDragon

— 𝒮𝒾𝑒. (@Cindtrillella) August 22, 2022

Well that child birth scene was disturbing #HouseoftheDragon

— Julien Djema (@DjemaK20) August 22, 2022

Stream House of the Dragon from August 22 on BINGE or on FOXTEL. New BINGE customers get a 14-day free trial. Sign up at binge.com.au

Elsewhere, the overall fan reaction to the opening episode appears to be overwhelmingly positive.

Three years after the Thrones finale, it’s fair to say there were concerns whether the lacklustre eighth season was going to impact appetite for another show, and whether there would be GoT fatigue given it hasn’t been that long since the last outing.

But the opening episode has clearly put those fears to rest:

congrats hbo you got me again #HouseoftheDragonpic.twitter.com/VAuifyIgxU

— karlee worthen (@kar__lee) August 22, 2022

Yeah this is the Game of Thrones I used to love, what a spectacular comeback 🔥 10/10 first episode

#HouseOfTheDragon#HOTDpic.twitter.com/d85Z4ck9yf

— Saam (@Prince0fN0thing) August 22, 2022

My obsession has been reignited.. this episode was truly amazing. #HouseTargaryen#HouseoftheDragonpic.twitter.com/N5E0gFtTw5

— LaToya 👑 (@Patriot_Diva) August 22, 2022

HBO execs after that first episode of #HouseoftheDragonpic.twitter.com/gJIM5CCDxs

— Zach (@zachnboggs) August 22, 2022

Best pilot episode I’ve seen in a long time 👏🏼🤯

Let the obsession begin!!! (Again) 😂#HouseoftheDragonpic.twitter.com/hATPaqT41O

— alan 🫧 (@alan_nplays) August 22, 2022

I'm a sucker for great cinematography and costume designs in my medieval fantasy and period pieces. After the premiere, I'm pleased to say #HouseoftheDragon , has it in spades. #GameOfThrones. pic.twitter.com/TmNDFME4q9

— Eisen (@EisenGresh) August 22, 2022

Wow #HouseoftheDragon what a phenomenal first episode. It really feels like Game of Thrones is back. The acting, writing, and cinematography were fantastic. Great start to the season. Can’t wait for next week! pic.twitter.com/10b98ZAccW

— Tristan T (@TristanTanski) August 22, 2022

The 10-part HBO fantasy series, which reportedly cost around $300 million to make, is set around 200 years before the events of GoT, and is based on chapters from author George R.R. Martin’s companion book, Fire & Blood.

It focuses on the rise and fall of House Targaryen – Daenerys Targaryen’s family – during a civil war dubbed the ‘Dance of the Dragons’.

New episodes of House of the Dragon premiere Mondays at 11am on Binge and Foxtel