Heavily pregnant Nicole Richie suffered a ‘terrifying’ health scare over the holiday period, it’s claimed.

With weeks to go before she is due to give birth to her first child with Joel Madden, the 26-year-old fell ill at her boyfriend’s California home on 26 December.

Nicole was rushed to the doctor by the Good Charlotte, who thankfully gave both mother and child the all-clear.

A source tells Star mag: "Her heart was racing - she was swearing and had the terrifying feeling the world was crashing in on her. She was scared to death that her baby's health was in jeopardy.

"Thank God Joel was there to take care of her. He immediately called their doctor to say he would bring her in."

The scare comes five months after Nicole was taken to hospital in Los Angeles suffering heavy bleeding.

Nicole has been advised to rest ahead of the upcoming birth.

The source adds: "She's been going at a frantic pace for months. Her body let her know it was time to slow down and make the baby's health her top priority."