Meghan Markle to be treated as GERIATRIC by hospital staff

The Duchess of Sussex is part of a growing trend of women waiting to have children until after they have turned 35 – considered by medical professionals to be older mums. Meghan, 37, has faced several risks of encountering complications during her pregnancy but as she prepares to enter her final month it seems the American has coped relatively well with the realities of carrying a baby. Prince Harry’s wife has impressed royal fans with her hectic work schedule over the past eight months which has included several overseas trips for official engagements. 

Meghan’s hardworking ethic and stamina have even impressed the Queen herself, who awarded the expectant mother a handwritten letter to thank her for travelling to Morocco in February. 

NHS-issued advice says older mothers and their babies “face an increased risk of pregnancy-related complications and health problems”. 

On its website, a range of issues are listed which are mainly associated with the changes that occur to a woman’s reproductive organs as she ages. 

Mothers over the age of 35 are at greater risk of developing pre-eclampsia, diabetes, high blood pressure, complications with the delivery and prolonged labour. 

Geriatric pregnancies also carry the additional risk of ending in an emergency Caesarean section, miscarriage, still birth and the child having a congenital abnormality. 

Speaking to the Sun, a source described Meghan as “nervous about complications such as an emergency Caesarean”. 

They added: “As she is older 35, she is considered a slightly older mum – which sometimes can lead to some complications.”

The health service advised that a woman’s health should ideally be “as optimal as possible prior to pregnancy” including having a healthy weight, a balanced diet, taking regular exercise and consuming limited amounts of alcohol and tobacco. 

Figures released in January by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) for 2017, the latest period available, showed 55 percent of women who gave birth in the UK were aged 30 years or over. 

Robyn Wilder, who like Meghan was a first time mum at 37, said older mothers become familiar with the word “risk” as doctors are constantly reminding them of what could happen due to their age. 

Writing about her pregnancy in Grazia, Ms Wilder said she hopes Meghan’s high-profile pregnancy can help change the conversation around over 35s who give birth. 

She said: “Personally, I’m happy that Meghan Markle’s happy news can be happy news for all our geriatric mums. 

“Not least because hopefully looking at Meghan’s youthful face next to the word ‘geriatric’ should help everyone realise that this – and many terms used to describe women in general – is unhelpful and archaic.”