Harry and Meghan Are Expecting, Baby Due Spring 2019

[kathia_sophia]

I still think the baby will be born late March/early April. But I would say late March (already spring). Can't wait to see the little one's first pictures, so excited!


I think the Duchess will have her baby at a hospital. But not sure which one, we just need to wait for confirmation.

 

[jacqui24]

I agree. It is due to the fact that Meghan would be considered a first time geriatric pregnancy, is why I believe that she'll be encouraged to have a hospital birth.


https://www.prevention.com/life/a23778570/meghan-markle-royal-baby-geriatric-pregnancy/

Given the dangerous condition Serena Williams was in right after an easy pregnancy and easy birth, I'm sure Meghan understands clearly how fast things can go wrong. A lot of hospitals have changed the conditions to where they try to make the mother feel as comfortable as possible and only intervene in the natural process when requested or medically necessary. But it's always safer in case things start to go wrong.

 

[Osipi]

Whatever plans Harry and Meghan do have, we won't know about it until something official is released such as the announcement when the press will be able to set up around the Lindo Wing. That's a for sure sign she'll use it.

One thing for certain though is that I believe Harry and Meghan will have total control over this event.

 

[MaiaMia_53]

I agree. And the photo call will be the least of their problems. Most of us will welcome the photos. Best to focus on that, because one cannot change the trolls.

Yes, that's my point. I don't think they focus on trolls, but they are going to continue being extra careful about their privacy and the tabloid blather does nothing to make them want to go that extra mile of being on public display outside the hospital with their first baby. So I agree Meghan will likely deliver in a hospital, but they really don't have to announce anything if they don't wish to do so. They could avoid the public altogether and there might be misleading info regarding how far along Meghan is. Therefore, she could go into labor and have the baby before anyone is aware of it happening to avoid the crowds and clamor.

Harry is surely going to be adamant about protecting his baby's privacy too. We already don't get to see too much of William's children. There will likely be even fewer photo-ops with H&M's family.

I'm already missing seeing Meghan's dogs, because in her previous life she used to share so many photos of Bogart & Guy. We did get to see cute family photos a couple of times with W&K with George and Lupo, and a few years later with George, Charlotte, & Lupo in a grassy setting.

So hopefully, we'll get to see pictures of H&M with the baby along with Guy and the new dog. But there are no guarantees, especially not with OTT pile-on stories about the pregnancy, etc.

 

[loonytick]

I think a photocall outside the hospital will still be expected of Harry & Meghan as it's a bit of a tradition ie Anne, Diana, Sarah, Sophie & Kate have all done it. Harry is a high profile royal (as confirmed by the Queen's diamond jubilee balcony group) so if they slip away privately, it will be unusual.

Some on that list did not hide from cameras but didn’t exactly hold a photocall, either. After Zara and James’ births, Anne and Sophie & Edward left the hospital by the doors where press were camped out, so they were more allowing pictures than posing for them. Interestingly, in the pictures I’ve seen from after Peter’s birth, a nurse carried him out for photographers to see but neither parent was there. And of course, when Louise was born she had to be rushed to another hospital for specialty care, so photos were the last thing on anyone’s mind. The public had to wait two months for the release of a photo taken by Prince Andrew. Sarah and Andrew, on the other hand, held photocalls. They weren’t at St. Mary’s, though. Bea and Eug were both born at Portland Hospital in London, another private maternity facility. All of Princess Margaret’s grandchildren were born there, too.

All that to say that there are options for how Meghan and Harry handle where to deliver and how to introduce the baby, even just within the precedent set by the last generation of the BRF—probably more leeway than William and Kate had.

 

[MaiaMia_53]

Thanks for that information. Indeed, it seems to me that M&H have any number of options. And once again, I feel they could decide to be ultra private and not announce anything. Meghan might simply be wisked off to the hospital when the time comes, and we don't really know how far along she actually is. The baby could be delivered without hoopla and photos shared later.

Therefore no need for OTT excess about what she wears and how she looks after giving birth.

 

[Lilyflo]

More on the royal tradition of leaving hospital in front of the world's press rather than slipping privately out of another exit or not informing the press of the labour or any other scenario that differs from what's generally been done previously.

Princess Anne & Mark Phillips leaving the Lindo Wing with their son Peter in 1977:
https://www.macleans.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/APR17_ROYAL_FIRST_GLIMPSE06.jpg
and
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detai...ing-of-st-marys-hospital-news-photo/849181140

Anne & Mark leaving the Lindo Wing with daughter Zara in 1981:
https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/106/590x/secondary/50811.jpg

Diana & Charles leaving the Lindo Wing with William in 1982
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detai...d-diana-princess-of-wales-news-photo/79732082

Diana & Charles leaving the Lindo Wing with Harry in 1984
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detai...ng-of-st-marys-hospital-news-photo/1041871820

Sarah & Andrew leaving the Portland hospital with Beatrice in 1988
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detai...h-duchess-of-york-leave-news-photo/1041871160

Sarah & Andrew leaving the Portland hospital with Eugenie in 1990
https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article11901409.ece/ALTERNATES/s1227b/Duke-of-York.jpg

Sophie & Edward leaving Frimley Park hospital with Louise in 2003
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detai...-as-proud-parents-leaving-news-photo/52117215

Sophie & Edward leaving Frimley Park hospital with James in 2007
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detai...nce-edward-earl-of-wessex-news-photo/78594700

And of course there are tons of photos of Kate & William leaving the Lindo Wing with their babies.

Meghan & Harry may choose to do things differently but it would be considered unusual for high profile royals.

 

[Empress Merel]

I doubt Meghan will choose to have her baby at home. She is an advocate for more education and accessibility concerning menstrual health. She'd be a fool not to understand that a hospital birth is safer. Not to mention, the numbers are there. It's proven that a home birth is more dangerous to mother and child. They'd set themselves up for A LOT of criticism if they were to go with the home route.

 

[Terri Terri]

At 37 years old and having a first child, no doctor in their right mind would recommend a home birth, especially with a royal baby. As far as I'm concerned, that idea is a nonstarter.

 

[Curryong]

I suspect the home birth scenario is the product of a journalist's imagination. I seem to remember when Kate was pregnant with Louis there were stories in the press that she was opting for a home birth at KP. That didn't happen either. I wouldn't be surprised if Meghan and Harry decide not to go to St Mary's for the birth though. Perhaps Frimley Park.

 

[O-H Anglophile]

More on the royal tradition of leaving hospital in front of the world's press rather than slipping privately out of another exit or not informing the press of the labour or any other scenario that differs from what's generally been done previously.

Princess Anne & Mark Phillips leaving the Lindo Wing with their son Peter in 1977:
https://www.macleans.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/APR17_ROYAL_FIRST_GLIMPSE06.jpg
and
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detai...ing-of-st-marys-hospital-news-photo/849181140

Anne & Mark leaving the Lindo Wing with daughter Zara in 1981:
https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/106/590x/secondary/50811.jpg

Diana & Charles leaving the Lindo Wing with William in 1982
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detai...d-diana-princess-of-wales-news-photo/79732082

Diana & Charles leaving the Lindo Wing with Harry in 1984
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detai...ng-of-st-marys-hospital-news-photo/1041871820

Sarah & Andrew leaving the Portland hospital with Beatrice in 1988
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detai...h-duchess-of-york-leave-news-photo/1041871160

Sarah & Andrew leaving the Portland hospital with Eugenie in 1990
https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article11901409.ece/ALTERNATES/s1227b/Duke-of-York.jpg

Sophie & Edward leaving Frimley Park hospital with Louise in 2003
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detai...-as-proud-parents-leaving-news-photo/52117215

Sophie & Edward leaving Frimley Park hospital with James in 2007
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detai...nce-edward-earl-of-wessex-news-photo/78594700

And of course there are tons of photos of Kate & William leaving the Lindo Wing with their babies.

Meghan & Harry may choose to do things differently but it would be considered unusual for high profile royals.

Thanks for the photographs that show it has become tradition for the photos of senior royals when leaving the hospital with a new baby.

 

[Lemon Lyman]

In the Uk there is a strong push for women to have their babies outside of a consultant led delivery suite. Midwife led units and home births are considered safe and normal for those with uncomplicated pregnancies which includes older mums. The evidence is that a home birth or a birth at a midwife led unit will lead to less intervention. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Meghan didn’t consider a home birth.

 

[jacqui24]

In the Uk there is a strong push for women to have their babies outside of a consultant led delivery suite. Midwife led units and home births are considered safe and normal for those with uncomplicated pregnancies which includes older mums. The evidence is that a home birth or a birth at a midwife led unit will lead to less intervention. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Meghan didn’t consider a home birth.

Uncomplicated pregnancies can still have complicated delivery and after delivery. While I do agree with a lot of the principles of home birth (such as less intervention), these characteristics can be achieved in a hospital environment as well. However, there are certain situations where EMS simply can't act fast enough. If a woman needs a blood transfusion, ambulances simply can't offer that on the way to the hospital.

 

[Lilyflo]

Meghan & Harry have the resources to pay for top quality care in a prestigious private hospital that offers every type of birth plan eg midwife-led, hypnobirthing, water births alongside 'state of the art' neonatal & emergency equipment & consultants if needed. They can have the best of both worlds at no risk to mother or child.

 

[Somebody]

The reason why some doubt the wisfom of medicslizing a birth is that the availability of all these options many times leads to unnecessary interventions. Nonetheless, when an intervention is needed it's good to have those options nearby.

 

[MARG]

Aren't we lucky that the days of Dr's being seen as gods has well passed along with the scheduled cesareans to ensure they didn't miss their tee off time. Now the most important person in the room is calling the shots, the mother.

 

[MaiaMia_53]

Interesting article about Meghan carrying the baby high. Old wives tales say that indicates a girl. But doctors say it has more to do with the size of the baby, as well as the woman's body and fitness.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/roya...hy-Meghan-baby-bump-high-up-pictures-pregnant

 

[Chloep]

Well we actually had a very sweet short clip from yesterday. By sheer luck we actually visibly saw Baby Sussex kicking up a storm. He/She seems to be very active and the camera angle and lighting emphasised her/his little feet. Very special little clip.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrkAN_olYLj/

 

[jacqui24]

Interesting article about Meghan carrying the baby high. Old wives tales say that indicates a girl. But doctors say it has more to do with the size of the baby, as well as the woman's body and fitness.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/roya...hy-Meghan-baby-bump-high-up-pictures-pregnant

I always thought it's generally higher until the baby drops right before it's time? But either way, I don't know if she's carrying high or just more to do with her shorter torso that it looks like the baby it right beneath her chest.

 

[ACO]

Well we actually had a very sweet short clip from yesterday. By sheer luck we actually visibly saw Baby Sussex kicking up a storm. He/She seems to be very active and the camera angle and lighting emphasised her/his little feet. Very special little clip.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrkAN_olYLj/

Oh my goodness you can actually see the baby’s foot or hand pressing. It’s no wonder Meghan stays rubbing her tummy. That is one active baby. Crazy to get that footage. That’s twice now.

 

[jacqui24]

Eeek, moving babies continue to freak me out. I remember a friend let me feel her belly as her baby was moving a few years ago, completely freaked me out.

Anyways, this child is only about 6 months. Poor Meghan, it'll be a rough as her due date gets closer. But not surprising considering his/her father...

 

[Empress Merel]

Eeek, moving babies continue to freak me out. I remember a friend let me feel her belly as her baby was moving a few years ago, completely freaked me out.

Anyways, this child is only about 6 months. Poor Meghan, it'll be a rough as her due date gets closer. But not surprising considering his/her father...

? ?

I remember almost 9 years ago when my sister was pregnant with her first and she was pushing me to touch her belly when my nephew was kicking and me being a grumpy 15 year old was like, BYE that´s gross I am NOT doing that.

It´s not gross, but to this day it doesn´t fail to freak me out either. ?

 

[Ista]

Well we actually had a very sweet short clip from yesterday. By sheer luck we actually visibly saw Baby Sussex kicking up a storm. He/She seems to be very active and the camera angle and lighting emphasised her/his little feet. Very special little clip.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrkAN_olYLj/

Cute video! It's obvious that Meghan can soon look forward to the inevitable day when Baby S. braces his/her feet on her bladder and wedges his/her head under her ribs and pushes.

Fun times, fun times.

 

[Mbruno]

Oh my goodness you can actually see the baby’s foot or hand pressing. It’s no wonder Meghan stays rubbing her tummy. That is one active baby. Crazy to get that footage. That’s twice now.

Unsurprisingly, the UK press is already speculating it might be twins.

 

[Terri Terri]

I've never been or ever will be pregnant so forgive my ignorance. How can there be speculation of twins based on that video? I don't understand.

 

[Ista]

I've never been or ever will be pregnant so forgive my ignorance. How can there be speculation of twins based on that video? I don't understand.

It has absolutely nothing to do with the video, it's just the same speculation they do with every royal woman who's pregnant. So predictable, so based on nothing!

 

[Pranter]

If the media were right in their twin speculation Kate would have 6 children already.


LaRae

 

[Terri Terri]

Oh ok! Thanks!

 

[Tarlita]

Thanks Chloep for the link. The first time I watched the video I saw it. Amazing to see a movement so blatant. Poor Meghan, and mums everywhere, no wonder they tire so easily.
This baby is active and in a hurry to meet the world. From Meghans size I would say this active little bundle of joy will arrive in the first week of march.
If Meghans dress had not been such a snug fit, and more of a loose flowing maternity dress we wouldn't have seen it.
I just hope Doria can spend some quality time with her over the festlive season.

 

[ladongas]

This baby is active and in a hurry to meet the world. From Meghans size I would say this active little bundle of joy will arrive in the first week of march

I’m with you on the early March guess. Babies usually move less in the final few weeks of pregnancy, ‘cause it gets crowded in there!