Duchess Meghan discusses distressing postpartum health issue following delivery.
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has bravely shared her battle with postpartum preeclampsia, a rare and scary condition that sent chills down her spine. In the inaugural episode of her new podcast "Confessions of a Female Founder," she opened up about her harrowing experience, a topic she shared with her pal Whitney Wolfe Herd, the brainchild behind Bumble.
Postpartum preeclampsia, a hybrid of high blood pressure and organ damage, left the duchess with elevated blood pressure and proteins in her urine. Meghan and Whitney, both mothers, described hauntingly similar journeys, both dealing with the condition known as postpartum preeclampsia.
Meghan painted a vivid picture of the emotionally taxing experience, stating, "It's so rare and so scary, trying to juggle all these things, and the world has no clue about what's happening quietly. In the quiet, you're still trying to show up for people, mostly for your children, but those things are massive medical scares." Whitney responded emphatically, "Life or death, truly. It's a terrifying ordeal."
Postpartum preeclampsia typically manifest within 48 hours following childbirth, but it can surface four to six weeks postpartum. This potentially fatal condition can lead to seizures and other complications if ignored. Heavy symptoms include high blood pressure, severe headaches, vision problems, upper abdominal pain, nausea, rapid weight gain, and swelling. If left untreated, it can result in organ failure, stroke, eclampsia (seizures), thromboembolism (blood clots), pulmonary edema (fluid on the lungs), and HELLP syndrome (a severe liver condition).
Meghan welcomed Archie in May 2019 and Lilibet in 2021, after stepping down from working royal duties. Today, Meghan keeps busy with her podcast produced in partnership with Lemonada Media and various media deals with the likes of Spotify and Netflix, home to the successful docuseries "Harry & Meghan" and the hit Netflix show, "With Love, Meghan," which was renewed for a second season. The show offers tips on being the ultimate hostess, cook, and homemaker.
- Meghan Markle, with her experience of postpartum preeclampsia, revealed in her new podcast "Confessions of a Female Founder" that she and Whitney Wolfe Herd, creator of Bumble, shared similar struggles with the rare condition.
- Meghan and Whitney, both mothers, discussed their harrowing postpartum preeclampsia journeys; Meghan described it as a "massive medical scare" that was emotionally exhausting.
- In her podcast, Meghan highlighted how postpartum preeclampsia, a condition marked by high blood pressure and proteins in the urine, can be potentially fatal, leading to complications such as organ failure, stroke, and HELLP syndrome.
