Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is speculated to be giving birth "any day now," following her announcement, alongside Prince Harry, of her second pregnancy last Valentine's Day.
According to reports, while the couple may have said that the baby is due in the summer, which means sometime in June to August 2021, there are speculations that their child, a baby girl, will be due sooner. Close friend and royal biographer Omid Scobie, the author of Finding Freedom, said that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have chosen to have their baby at the Cedars Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles, amid speculations of home birth.
Scobie said in the new documentary A Very Royal Baby: From Cradle to Crown that Cedars Sinai has the "finest maternity suites" in the U.S., similar to five-star hotel accommodation. Markle may also have an access to a 24/7 doula at the hospital but another report stated that her mother, Doria Ragland, has had doula classes.
Ragland was able to apply what she learned when Markle gave birth to her first-born son, Archie Harrison. Her mother served as her doula when Ragland flew to London and stayed with the Sussex pair for a few months after Archie was born.
Markle would be nearly 40 years old by the time she welcomes her daughter. She is celebrating her birthday in August. As such, her pregnancy is considered a high risk due to her maternal age.
According to the experts, women who get pregnant past the age of 35 could develop high blood pressure, blood clots and gestational diabetes. The baby could also be of low birth weight. However, most pregnant women in their late 30s do well as they carefully take in the medical advice and guidance from their doctors.
Meanwhile, Markle scratched off plans to have a baby shower because she felt this was no appropriate during a global crisis. A source said that both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex feel that they could channel their resources "for a better purpose."
Markle, however, did have a lavish baby shower given to her by her friends when she had Archie in 2019. She flew to New York for a two-day visit to be at the event.
With her due date almost ready, speculations have peaked that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will name their daughter Diana, after the late Princess of Wales. However, some fans have also predicted that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will honor Prince Philip with their daughter's name.
