Meghan Markle Opens Up About Postpartum Preeclampsia.
In the inaugural episode of her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, candidly shared her experience with postpartum preeclampsia-a rare and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by high blood pressure and elevated protein levels in the urine following childbirth. During her conversation with Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble, both women discussed the challenges they faced with this condition after the births of their children. ​
Markle described the ordeal as “so rare and so scary,” emphasizing the difficulty of managing such a serious health issue while fulfilling public duties and caring for a newborn. She highlighted the hidden struggles many new mothers endure, stating that despite these significant medical scares, mothers strive to be present for their children.​
Wolfe Herd expressed admiration for Markle’s resilience, particularly recalling Meghan’s public appearance just two days after giving birth to her son, Archie, in May 2019. She marveled at Meghan’s ability to present herself so gracefully under intense public scrutiny, noting that she herself could hardly manage simple tasks during the postpartum period. ​
Postpartum preeclampsia is a condition that can develop within six weeks after delivery, presenting symptoms such as severe headaches, vision changes, and swelling. If untreated, it can lead to serious complications like seizures or stroke. The discussion between Markle and Wolfe Herd sheds light on the importance of maternal health awareness and the often-overlooked challenges.
This podcast episode marks Meghan Markle’s return to media, following her previous series, Archetypes. Through Confessions of a Female Founder, she aims to provide a platform for honest conversations about the multifaceted experiences of women in entrepreneurship and motherhood.
