Did Gynecologists Really Laugh at Meghan Markle’s Home Birth Plan?

Health & FitnessJuly 22, 2019

On May 6, 2019, the very long wait was finally over for the public anticipating the birth of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s son. That day, the Duke of Sussex faced the press and happily announced that his wife had given birth to their son. They announced later on that they had named the tiny royal Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

With respect to the details fo the birth, the public’s knowledge has been limited to the date and time of birth, and their newborn son’s name. As for how and where Meghan gave birth, we have yet to find out. Sources have said before the birth that the Duchess’ was inclined to have an at-home-birth at Frogmore Cottage, with just a midwife and a doula present. This is very different from the birth of the recent royal kids, such as all three of Kate Middleton’s, with her babies with Prince William being delivered by doctors at St. Mary’s Hospital.

Despite Meghan’s birthing plan being just rumors, it appears that there are some ‘thoughts’ from a few of the world’s top obstetricians and gynecologists. During the recently held annual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in the United States, specifically in Nashville, Tennessee, Meghan’s at-home birth idea was an important topic of discussion, with the world’s leading ob-gynecologists apparently making jokes and poking fun at it.

Surprisingly, as reported by the Daily Mail, one of those ‘poking fun’ at Meghan’s at-home birth idea was the envoy of the Royal College of Gynecology, Dr. Timothy Draycott. He jokingly mentioned that the duchess planned to have ‘a doula and a willow tree’, saying he will see how that plan goes, pointing out that Meghan’s was 37, inciting laughter from the room full of doctors.

There is actually some sound basis for obstetricians and gynecologists to question Meghan’s birth plan, because of her age. That specific age bracket for pregnant women is already considered a high-risk pregnancy, as per the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The high risk age starts from 35 going up, and pregnancy is not advised for young teenage girls. too.

Nevertheless, we think it’s important to discuss the Duchess of Sussex’s birth plan for information to others about the medical issues that accompany a high-risk pregnancy, but not to make light and make jokes about the situation.