• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2026 ABC News
  • Living

Actress Emily Mortimer shares the worst advice that she almost took

1:56
Actress Emily Mortimer shares the worst advice that she almost took
GMA Photo Illustration, Getty
ByTaylor Dunn and Rachel Scott
October 01, 2018, 8:25 AM

When it comes to the worst advice she's received but never took, actress Emily Mortimer had to pause for a moment.

“I was trying to think of the answer to this question...and I realized that mostly the bad advice that I have taken in my life I have given myself,” Mortimer told ABC News’ chief business, technology and economics correspondent Rebecca Jarvis. "I wish there were other people I could blame for the terrible decision making I have made at times,"

Mortimer, who recently wrapped up filming for Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns," is known for films like “Match Point," “Shutter Island” and “Hugo” -- the latter received 11 Academy Award nominations and won 5. You also know her for writing and starring in her HBO show "Doll & Em" and appearing in NBC's “30 Rock” and HBO’s “The Newsroom."

Editor’s Picks

Wendy Williams shares the worst advice she never took

  • Aug 06, 2018

Tory Burch on the worst advice she never took

  • Jun 29, 2018

While she says that most of the bad advice she has given herself, she does recall “the wrong advice” she got during the birth of her first child: “Not to have an epidural.”

After being in labor for 36 hours Mortimer, who had been working with a doula, was in immense “howling” pain. While deciding whether or not to get an epidural, she recalls being afraid of “disappointing the doula,” saying “that was definitely one of the main things” she was thinking.

“I don't know why I took all these people's advice," she recalled. "I was reading all these endless books on how to have the perfect labor experience and for some reason I just got hoodwinked by them all into thinking that it would be a good idea not to have an epidural or to try not to have an epidural.”

Mortimer had a successful delivery and the immense pain subsided following the epidural.

After that experience it's no surprise that when it came time to give birth to her second child, Mortimer revealed "the first thing I did was put in my epidural."

Hear more from Emily Mortimer on episode #98 of the podcast “No Limits with Rebecca Jarvis”.

Editor’s Picks

Wendy Williams shares the worst advice she never took

  • Aug 06, 2018

Tory Burch on the worst advice she never took

  • Jun 29, 2018

Up Next in Living—

What to know about the high school 'senior assassin' water gun game police departments are warning about

April 17, 2026

Trader Joe's customers may be eligible for money after $7.4M settlement over receipt data

April 17, 2026

Zookeeper shares update on Punch the monkey, whether he has a girlfriend

April 17, 2026

6-week-old kitten rescued from vat of glue is named Elmer

April 16, 2026

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2026 ABC News