With the arrival of the royal baby expected any day now, speculation as to exactly how and where Meghan Markle will give birth has gone into overdrive.
We know that Meghan certainly isn’t a woman who does anything by the book – or follow a tradition that’s been in place for decades – and it seems like she’s going to completely overhaul the rules about royal births.
Now, a brand new report has revealed that one of the options previously canvassed – a home birth at Harry and Meghan’s residence Frogmore Cottage in Windsor – is currently the mother-to-be’s top choice.
Unlike her sister-in-law Kate Middleton and late mother-in-law Princess Diana, it’s believed Meghan will snub the Lindo Wing in London and choose to give birth at home.
An American friend of Meghan’s told the Daily Mail a home birth is Meghan’s preferred option right now.
“It is her favoured choice,” the source said, “but it obviously depends on how things are nearer the time.”
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She’s never one to follow rules just because they’re there! (Image: Getty)
The source also revealed that Meghan has “sailed” through her pregnancy and has practised yoga daily, which has kept her in good health.
As she is fit, strong and healthy, Meghan reportedly sees no reason why she could not give birth at home.
She is also hoping to give birth without any pain relief at all, as she prefers to live a natural lifestyle with limited interference from drugs.
However, the 37-year-old mum-to-be is at a greater risk of complications such as a premature birth, or needing an epidural or caesarean.
According to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynacologists (RANZCOG), home births account for fewer than one per cent of all births in Australia and four per cent of births in New Zealand.
That figure is similar in the UK – about 2.3 per cent or one in 40 births.
While there is limited scientific research available, many health experts warn that home births do carry a significantly higher risk for both mother and baby.
“A decision to give birth at home must be taken in the knowledge that there are relatively few resources available for the management of sudden unexpected complications and that these complications may affect any pregnancy or birth – even those without any acknowledged obstetric risk factors,” RANZCOG advises.
“For those women who continue with a planned homebirth, arrangements should be in place to limit the additional risks as far as possible. Homebirth practitioners should be integrated into the health care system with pre-defined pathways for consultation, referral and transfer of care.”
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Meghan will reportedly snub royal tradition and give birth at home. (Image: Getty)
This report comes after it was revealed that Meghan snubbed the Queen’s “highly regarded” male doctors in favour of her own female delivery team.
A source revealed to The Mail On Sunday: “Meghan said she doesn’t want the men in suits. She was adamant that she wanted her own people. It did leave a few of us a little baffled.”
The male doctors are among the world’s most highly regarded, so Meghan’s choice has not come without some surprise.
“It is slightly surprising. These people [the Queen’s doctors] are the best of the best and when it comes down to it, their role would actually be very limited in the birth itself, assuming all goes to plan,” another source said.
Meanwhile, sources who are close to the Duchess said her decision to exclude the doctors was for “personal” reasons.
“Above all, this is her birth, her baby, and she must do whatever feels right for her. How could anyone judge her for that?” the source said.
WATCH BELOW: How the royal family reacted to news of Harry and Meghan’s pregnancy. Story continues after video.
As for how the world will be able to set eyes on Baby Sussex, Meghan will reportedly refrain from doing a formal photocall like Duchess Kate and Princess Diana did on the steps of the Lindo Wing.
Royal reporter Emily Andrews revealed on the popular On Heir podcast that appearing in front of the world’s media in perfect hair and makeup just hours after giving birth goes against the Duchess’s feminist beliefs.
“At the moment, we understand that she isn’t, she doesn’t want to do that, isn’t going to do that,” Andrews said.
“Given what we know about Meghan, the optics of a totally glamorous, picture-perfect moment hours after giving birth are not quite in alignment with her views on the world.”
Well, they say traditions are made to be broken!
We look forward to seeing Meghan break more royal rules and change the way royals give birth.
