We’re coming up on the three-month anniversary of Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding date. What a time to be alive! They’ve made it this far! Ha, no really, their first months of marriage have been incredibly dramatic, even more so when you consider the fact that they were only together about about a year and a half when they got engaged, and most of that time, they were living in different countries. If there’s ever been a couple who just needs to chill out and spend the first year of their marriage just making the adjustment to married life, it’s them. The problem? Tick-tock goes the baby clock. Yes, people are already writing articles about when we can expect the royal announcement of a Polo Baby.
Royal fans have been desperate for Meghan Markle to announce her pregnancy ever since she joined the royal family back in May. But the Duchess of Sussex, 37, and husband Prince Harry, 33, could be waiting to start a family for this one reason, and it’s makes a lot of sense when you think about it. The royal couple are due to embark on their first joint royal tour in October – with a trip to Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand – including Sydney’s Invictus Games from October 20-27. And, despite Harry previously saying he wanted to have kids “in the near future”, a packed royal itinerary could put plans to expand the family on ice.
Morning sickness is normally at its worst during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, while the risk of miscarriage in a first pregnancy is also higher. And the 37-year-old won’t want to risk missing royal engagements because she’s ill – meaning chances of a honeymoon baby looks increasingly unlikely.
If they do delay the pregnancy, the couple will be following in the footsteps of their in-laws Kate Middleton and Prince William, both 36. They were the first future monarchs in 200 years not to conceive in their first year of marriage – with Kate announcing her pregnancy 19 months in. It’s thought that the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – and their related trip to Asia – was the reason behind the wait.
True story: I always thought William and Kate waited to conceive because that was simply what William wanted. If William wanted Kate to have a baby right away, she would have. It was his call, just as it was his call to hide away in Wales for the first years of their marriage. As for Meghan and Harry and whether they’re waiting or not… I have no idea. It’s only been three months! If they came out in a week and said they were expecting, I wouldn’t be surprised. If they came out just before Christmas and said they were expecting, I wouldn’t be surprised. I think the latter is far more likely – that’s the timeline I’ve been expecting, for Meg to be knocked up by Christmas.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Their life, their decision. This may be a unpopular opinion but could they not want children at all? Can’t recall if there has been any discussion by them of wanting children.
I agree with you that it is their life and decision. I do think they said in their engagement interview that they do want children, but yeah, it is uncomfortable to speculate on their fertility choices.
They mentioned it in their engagement interview.
Exactly @Swack, maybe Meghan won’t be knocked up at all because they want no biological children!!
As for what they mentioned (or didn’t mention) in the engagement interview, they never said which route of conception they would use. They might want children via adoption, surrogate or biological, they didn’t disclose what their choice is really.
Do you really think the BRF will let them adopt? Or use a surrogate? Lol
@Nickles – the BRF can’t stop them from doing any of those things, the real issue is that if the children are adopted, they will be automatically out of the line of succession. A surrogate would get around that problem, presuming that the DNA comes from both M and H, and the problem is just carrying to term. But adoption and egg donation will both make the child “less than” in royal succession terms.
All that might be true about succession but I’m not sure using a surrogate in the UK is so straightforward. According to everything I’ve read, the woman who gives birth is the legal mother even if her egg was not used. Parental rights can be transferred to the couple but the surrogate has to agree in writing after the birth. A prior “contract” cannot force the surrogate to sign off. But we really are getting ahead of ourselves anyway discussing these personal options for H and M.
@Lizabeth – Of course, you bring up a very good point, the danger of embroilment in a dreadful situation of changed mind on the part of a surrogate. I was only addressing the succession issue – which if it comes to it, might not weigh with H&M as they are already so far down the line; having a family could be much more important. But, as you say, it is early days!
A surrogate can not be used this was decided with regards to I believe an Earldom. Basically it has to be Harry’s sperm and the baby has to come out of her vagina or it doesn’t count.
They have both said they want children of their own.
I would love for them to adopt.
Absolutely. I find these articles that are specifically and only about pregnancy speculation to be really inappropriate and gross. We have no idea what they’re going through with regards to family planning. If they’re trying and have been having difficulties, then these types of speculating, waiting-with-bated-breath articles, can be incredibly damaging and emotional to read/hear about. If they don’t want children, or if they don’t want to have children in the “traditional,” biological way, then all the speculation and questions and theories about when they’ll announce a pregnancy are going to be frustrating and annoying. I have such a hard time reconciling the websites and authors that are so staunchly pro-woman, feminist allies of the #metoo movement with thesd articles that not only speculate on exactly when a woman will conceive, but that rigorously encourage/demand a woman start trying to get pregnant ASAP, calling out her age, her biological clock, speculating on the quality of her eggs and whether or not she’s frozen any, and all with a very pointed expectation that she MUST and she WILL bear her husband children, very soon, lest she let down the entire world and give cause for her husband to divorce her.
She’s what, 37? I mean, they can afford IVF so if they put it off, it should be fine.
IVF isn’t a go-to option just because you have money. It really doesn’t work like that. Sure, you have access to it but its an emotional, gut-wrenching, disappointing, and horrific journey until you finally get that baby in your arms.
+1
And what you put your body through with IVF, it really isn’t something to go to just because you can afford it.
Exactly it’s like PMS x200 I did it very emotional and stressful. Plus no guarantee that actually works either, lucky for me it worked the first time and I was 40 but I know younger women who have done it 5x I could not stomach it that many times.
Yeah, my cousin and his wife have had 3 rounds of IVF fail. They will face their last one this year, and if it fails again, that’s it, they’re done. His wife is particularly emotionally exhausted from it.
I had two failed IVF cycles last year which were harrowing experiences. The IVF also caused my fibroids to increase in size and I have been advised by my doctor to surgically have them removed.
I know someone who had 5 IVF attempts, all failed. The couple stole the money for the IVFs from an estate, then the woman became a horribly demented angry soul when no baby resulted. Such a sad story. There is so much emotional and financial turmoil associated sometimes with the IVF journey. People should just stay out of it and mind their own business.
You do realize that you can’t just get pregnant the moment you want. It can take up to a year to get pregnant even with a healthy couple
Exactly. People are taking lack of a pregnancy announcement as evidence of not trying. They might have to try for quite a long time and that still wouldn’t guarantee anything.
Harry and Meghan are both intelligent people who are aware of their ages. IF they truly want to have children through natural means, then postponing trying for a relatively frivolous reason like not wanting to experience morning sickness at a slightly inconvenient time would be a dumb move. I don’t think they are dumb so it’s vaguely insulting that the media is projecting that onto them.
The truth is the media has no way of knowing what their specific desires and plans are.
Fertility starts dropping in the thirties, especially the later thirties. I hope this couple do what is best for them, and not worry about royal duties or expectations.
Hopefully, if they want to try for a baby right away, they won’t delay for a tour. Or if they want to adopt or use a surrogate, hopefully they while build their family in they way they need or want to.
Duty is important. But Harry and Meghans ability to make a family should be the first priority. At 37, if it is important to them that she have a baby the conventional way, this couple should be allowed to put that first. If that is what they want.
Stress isn’t great when trying to have a baby. Hopefully, they will find a way to get all settled down and get their marriage off to a good start.
THANK YOU! This. It’s not like they can just snap their fingers and be expecting.
My spouse and I tried two years and when we finally got pregnant, I lost the baby at 18 weeks. Neither of us have any reproductive problems, doctors said we are both normal, just sometimes that’s the way it goes, we were only 27-29 when we were trying. All the speculation can really hurtful and cause lots of stress, which I’m sure Meghan and Harry are already experiencing
C’mon. She’s 37 and she’s smart. She’s not going to wait. Fertility starts falling off a cliff at 35 so I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes her a year to conceive. Besides, they’ve been married for three months, isn’t it a little early to be watching for a baby bump?
Long time lurker here…I just have to say that I hate comments like this. Fertility declines SLIGHTLY at 35, it doesn’t fall off a cliff:
https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24128176
I know this is one article, but seriously, I wish people would do some research into this area before commenting on fertility and age. You will find similar statistics to this EVERYWHERE, including from medical professionals who actually research this area: women aged 27-34 have an 86% chance of getting pregnant; women aged 35-39 have an 82% chance of getting pregnant. That’s a slight decline. I’ve talked to my provider about this…she is often frustrated at the people who wring their hands about the over 35 thing. Over 40 is when there’s a bigger decline for many, and very few people can get pregnant naturally after about 43-44 (although I know there are many exceptions, including from some regular Celebitchy commenters!!).
Basically, if you have trouble getting pregnant between 35-39 you LIKELY would have had trouble getting pregnant in your 20’s. The fertility problems were likely always there. My provider thinks that the Advanced Maternal Age will be upped to 40 (currently 35) at some point, since so many women have babies now fairly easily between 35 and 40.
This is extremely anecdotal but still fits with the evidence: I’m 37 and pregnant with my first. I waited this long by choice, and got pregnant right away. I personally get very annoyed when people concern-troll someone over 35 who wants to get pregnant. People can have trouble conceiving at ANY age, and people can get pregnant easily over 35.
Ding ding ding, we have a winner: Green desert. Thank you for your post.
Thanks for posting this. I’m 34…just got married and am trying (got off the pill after 10 years and haven’t gotten my period yet- who knew this was a thing??). Because it hasn’t worked out the last few months, I’ve naturally spent loads of time on the internet wondering why I’m not pregnant. I’ve convinced myself I can’t have babies because of my age. Your post helps put things in perspective.
I lost a baby at 27 weeks and was told that gestationally , i was middle aged. I managed to have three kids in the end, but women are wise to not fool around in their mid thirties.
The rate of drop off speeds up in the late thirties.
But a woman that conceived naturally in her 20s has a better chance of doing it in her 30s. Because major underlying causes are not present.
A woman who has not conceived by her late 30s faces finding out she has a hurdle that was always present. And she is dealing with declining fertility at the same time.
20 year olds only face an impediment they were likely born with. First time moms at 37 have more to worry about.
The statistics account you share account for the those that were fertile at 20 and fertile 15 or 20 years later.
Thank you Green Desert for being a voice of reason here!
Please. It took me two months to conceive and I just turned 37.
It can take a perfectly healthy couple over a year to get pregnant, it doesn’t mean you are less fertile,
Getting pregnant is not that easy, and worst if everyone is expecting you to be. The Cambridges have 3 kids, so is not like Harry has to have a child to be the heir.
I think she is a mature adult woman and knows what is best for her. She will have a baby when she is ready and able.
My immediate thought upon hearing that Harry made a solo trip to Africa (last week or so) was that Meghan’s absence was pregnancy related–as in she shouldn’t go just in case.
This is based upon zero solid evidence.
But baseless rumours are what the best gossip’s all about !
This is a painful topic for someone like me who is trying to get pregnant. Meghan is older than me yet t’s not been easy.
It’s possible she may or may not actively be trying. I get sad when people walk up to me and ask why I’ve refused to get pregnant as if they know my pains. People should stop putting pressure on her. No one knows their plans. Harry may want kinds immediately but she may or may not. She was married before for over two years and didn’t have any kids; no one knows why. It may or may not have been due to fertility issues; it also may or may not have been her choice not to have kids.
IVF and fertility treatments are draining, I’m speaking from experience. I’ve left everything to God cos I don’t want to go crazy.
yeah I have chosen not to have kids but I really wish people would stop speculating about the state of a woman’s uterus – it’s no one’s business really. Since I hit 30 people have started asking me and hubs about it alot, and it’s tiring, and feels invasive. They may want kids, they may not! lord knows we also said we wanted kids before we got married even though we were ambivalent at best.
They stated in their engagement interview that they wanted children “in the near future”.
I’m sorry that you are dealing with infertility. It is such an emotional road! We tried for 1.5 years to get pregnant and needed some intervention to conceive. It did get annoying dealing with people’s comments. In the beginning, I would just dodge them, but then I decided that it was easier to just tell people the truth and make them pause. People who have never struggled with infertility don’t always understand the emotional toll that it can take.
Pamm I’ve been in your path and finally decided to adopt. But that’s not what I wanted to say. My parents tried for 25 years before they had me.. nothing wrong with either of them. Just didn’t happen and then 2 pregnancies. I’ve decided if I’m not supposed to have a child in this life, I just have another purpose and just trying to enjoy life before it’s too late. Stay strong
I think with the Zika risk in the Islands they’re visiting, the common medical advice is to wait 6 mos. after a visit to be sure. That could bring a summer announcement? But, as I said yesterday, I’m going to (try) and stay out of her uterus! lol. If and when they announce, I’ll be shouting my hoorays and congrats 😊. (Wouldn’t a little red-headed, freckled baby be just so adorable??)
I agree it’s not anyone’s business but theirs. But when the Oct tour to areas with Zika was announced weeks ago, that made me think they aren’t trying right now. (And not because of fear of morning sickness either.) You’re right about the 6 months @Jan. Men have to wait 6 months before trying because Zika survives longer in sperm.
Sensible and thoughtful response!
Therefore a tabloid will never run this as a story
And yes i think their children will be very adorable
Personally, I believe the Sussexes will do whatever they want to do with their lives, period. But with that said, should they decide to have children, there is no reason to wait just because there is a Zika virus some place they’ll visit. There are millions of healthy babies born in countries like mine that have been deemed “Zika virus risk”. The cases of Zika affected babies a very few. I believe that human can always try to control the universe but if something was meant to be, it will be. Que cera cera, the future is not ours to see nor to control.
I really, really dislike bump watches and pregnancy speculation. It’s so creepy and invasive.
Several friends have needed assistance conceiving, including one who used a donor egg after 3 lost pregnancies. You never know what those questions feel like to a person who is struggling to have a child unless you’ve been there.
@Enn – IKR?! It’s like, back to Henry VIII and his obsession with having a male heir and everyone watching his wives’ abdomens. Does anyone look at Harry and wonder if his sperm are viable?!
It’s pretty misogynistic, honestly. We’re not entitled to knowledge of any particular woman’s reproductive system. For generations it was acceptable to ask couples when they were going to have a baby, when they were going to have ANOTHER baby, touch a pregnant woman’s stomach, etc. That’s all really inappropriate and rude.
I get a lot of questions and advice, but I have a chronic illness that impacted my prior plans to have children. People still feel free to weigh in like their input matters.
I got pregnant at 29 when I wanted my first within months, but at 36 I wanted a little girl and it took almost 8 or 9 months to conceive. I did have a daughter following the shuttles method which you can google if your interested to learn how to up the odds to predetermine sex of a child,based off, longevity of sperm life. So they should start now and it’s going to probably take multiple cycles until bingo.
mosquitos that cause the zika virus are not repeat not found in nz and australia so if meg gets pregnant while on tour she will be fine. but just to say for all the debbie downers out there anything is possible but not likely
But they are found in some of the small island countries they are scheduled to visit @C.
So refreshing to read a thread that only has to do with the two of them. Thank you!
OMG, so right! Every newly married couple deserves to take time early on that is just about the two of them.
My guess is that their “ideal” would be for Meghan to be pregnant by the first anniversary, have the first kid at 38, second kid at 40, done. But life isn’t always ideal and I’m sure they know that, so they may be trying now.
I mean even Kate – we don’t know (and we should not know) that she got pregnant right away. It may have taken her a year to get pregnant or the whole 19 months as the article mentions. So we cant even assume that they were going by a schedule of any sort.
I like to follow the royals and I know I’m a hypocrite bc I’m commenting on this post lol, and I would love a “polo baby” for them, but really – their bodies, their family, their lives.
Seriously, can we please not with stories like this? As another poster astutely pointed out, you can’t just get pregnant on command. A healthy couple’s chances of conceiving are 25% in any given month and that figure drops dramatically for a woman in her late 30s. Add in any potential fertility issues and you’ve got a more complex situation. People need to remember that conception is actually an incredibly precise process – it is beautifully divine when you think of how many factors need to be perfectly aligned for it to happen.
This whole Megan bump watch annoys me to no end. I arrogantly thought I could control when I would get pregnant, and once I decided to, I ended up with unexplained infertility. I am exactly the same age as Megan. I have only recently started to get over my anger about it and realize that my plans may not be those that God has in store for me, and to have faith that he knows what is best for me.
All these comments about how hard it is to get pregnant. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, it gets harder with age. But it’s also a mental game where it’s important to stay positive and not worry too much. That’s why so many couples get pregnant the minute they stop trying. Megs and Harry will be knocked up after the tour.
Please don’t do this. Hearing that “thinking positive” and “just relaxing ” will lead to a successful, healthy pregnancy and baby is something that is very painful to women with IF (and their partners).
This is yet another myth that well-meaning people perpetuate, and I know you didn’t mean it this way, but it is so incredibly hurtful when you are struggling with conception to be told that if you just had a better attitude your infertility would go away, If only it really worked like that. The truth is that studies show that these “we gave up and then conceived when we stopped trying!” conceptions happen only 4% of the time to couples with infertility.
@SK
You are so right. Every situation has a different outcome. Support and prayers only advice that really help.
Ugh such a gross comment.
Last I checked, this wasn’t a fertility blog. Every time there’s a story about women having babies on here, there are dozens of comments about how hard it is for “older” women to have children. Intentionally or not, this perpetuates a culture in which women are basically forced to give up their career by a certain age in order to procreate.
I agree with you but we all are speculating just because they said in a official interview they want a family. So we do know they hope to have a kid. it’s a gossip site after all. nothing vicious about speculating when/if. people here believed Kate wouldn’t be able to get pregnant because she was too skinny..
For some it takes a while to conceive, for others, it happens on the first try. So as much as you may need to plan that it could take a while, you also need to be prepared that it could happen immediately.
Also, yes, some people have fertility problems, but not all women over 35 have some massively difficult time getting pregnant. I’m so sick of all the fear mongering out there for women. Just because you’ve “heard” that this is the case, does not mean that there is data to support it.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/07/how-long-can-you-wait-to-have-a-baby/309374/
My mother got pregnant when she was 51
@porcupetta – But was that a first pregnancy? Women who have already been pregnant have more chance of getting pregnant after 35. It is a first pregnancy that is more impacted by the drop in fertility after 35.
But regardless, this is so much a case by case kind of thing. Every woman is different, statistics are just statistics.
The uproar over Meghan’s family is one thing, but I do wish people would stay out of her bedroom and her womb. This would also be true of any other newlywed. NOYB whether or if she conceives or not. It is intrusive and potentially hurtful to any woman to speculate like this.