The Duchess of Sussex has revealed she suffered with a “rare” and “scary” health condition after childbirth on the first episode of her new podcast.
Speaking with Whitney Wolfe Herd – founder of dating platform Bumble, and co-founder of Tinder – on ‘Confessions of a Female Founder’, the women discussed their experiences of postpartum preeclampsia.
The Duchess said she had to cope with the world not knowing about her condition, but did not reveal whether the complication came after the birth of her first or second child, Archie and Lilibet respectively.
The condition is similar to pre-eclampsia, which affects women during pregnancy – and involves high blood pressure, according to the Preeclampsia Foundation charity.
Describing the condition, Meghan said: “It’s so rare. And its so scary.”
“You’re still trying to juggle all these things and the world doesn’t know what is happening, quietly and in the quiet you are still trying to show up for people,” she added.
“You’re still trying to show up, mostly for your children. But those things are huge medical scares.”
Herd added: “They’re life or death, truly.”
“I remember after you delivered Archie and the whole world was waiting for his debut,” she added.
“I was just becoming a new mum and I was like, oh my god, how is this woman doing this.
“How is this woman putting on heels and going and debuting a child in this beautiful outfit in front of the entire world?
“I could barely face a doorbell delivery for takeout food. I was like, please don’t look at me.”
What is postpartum preeclampsia?
The condition is a rare and serious condition where high blood pressure and protein in the urine develop after childbirth. It can potentially lead to seizures and other complications if left untreated, according to the Preeclampsia Foundation.
Unlike preeclampsia, which occurs during pregnancy, postpartum preeclampsia usually develops in the days following childbirth.
Symptoms include severe headaches, vision changes, pain in the upper right abdomen or shoulder, nausea, shortness of breath and swelling in the hands and face.
Postpartum preeclampsia can be diagnosed through blood tests and urinalysis, but the exact cause of the condition is unknown.
Meghan’s new podcast comes two years after her Spotify series ‘Archetypes’ ended after one season.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
