The Duchess of Sussex has said she suffered medical complications after childbirth, and had to cope with the “world” not knowing.
In the first episode of her new podcast, Confessions Of A Female Founder, Meghan said she had been diagnosed with post-partum pre-eclampsia following the birth of one of her children.
The condition is similar to pre-eclampsia, which affects women during pregnancy – and involves high blood pressure, according to the Preeclampsia Foundation charity.
Describing the condition, Meghan said: “It’s so rare. And its so scary.”
“You’re still trying to juggle all these things and the world doesn’t know what is happening, quietly and in the quiet you are still trying to show up for people,” she added.
“You’re still trying to show up, mostly for your children. But those things are huge medical scares.”
Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of dating platform Bumble and the first guest on Meghan’s podcast, added: “They’re life or death, truly.”
“I remember after you delivered Archie and the whole world was waiting for his debut,” she added.
“I was just becoming a new mum and I was like, oh my god, how is this woman doing this.
“How is this woman putting on heels and going and debuting a child in this beautiful outfit in front of the entire world?
“I could barely face a doorbell delivery for takeout food. I was like, please don’t look at me.”
According to the NHS, symptoms for post-partum pre-eclampsia include severe headaches, vision problems, pain below the ribs, vomiting and sudden swelling of the feet, ankles, face and hands.
Without immediate treatment, it can lead to serious complications including in rare cases, convulsions, liver and blood clotting disorders and strokes.
The duchess also spoke on the podcast about coping with media attention after marrying into the royal family.
“There is going to be a point when you are going to have to decide if you are going to cower, if you are going to conquer, or if you are going to rise above it”, she said.
Ms Wolfe Herd added: “What has happened to you is at such a magnitude that no one can understand.
“I stopped in an airport in Ireland and I walked to a newsstand and my jaw hit the flaw. You were the cover of every single magazine and newspaper in Ireland.
“And every single one said something different. You were the cover of every single one. I had this moment where I was like – what?
“I am in Ireland and she’s back home in California with her kids, doing school drop-off, and she’s the front page of every single one of these things.
“What are they talking about? There is no content. There is nothing to say.”
“I know”, Meghan replied.
Confessions Of A Female Founder is the latest in Meghan’s flurry of output after her much-criticised Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan and her new brand As Ever.
She has promised the series will feature “girl talk” and advise on how to create “billion-dollar businesses”.
The first episode was released on the same day the Duke of Sussex appeared at the Royal Courts of Justice in London for the latest stage in his legal challenge over the level of security he is given when he is in the UK.
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