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How old was Meghan when she had Archie, following birth fears in Netflix docuseries?

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, pose with their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor during a photocall in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle on May 8, 2019 in Windsor, England. The Duchess of Sussex gave birth at 05:26 on Monday 06 May, 2019. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Meghan and Harry introduce their son, Archie Mountbatten Windsor, to the world following his birth in May 2019. (Getty Images)

Meghan Markle has shared her fears about being an older mum, explaining she had been "really worried" going into labour with Archie because of her age.

Discussing the "pressure" she felt in the run up to her first child's birth, particularly concerning whether the family would need to have a picture taken on the steps with their newborn, following royal family tradition, Meghan also opened up about her concerns about the birth itself.

"There's already the pressure of a picture with Archie on the steps [of the Lindo Wing] and are they going to do that or not," she said.

"But I'd been really worried going into that labour, because I'm older and I didn't know if I'd have to have a C-Section."

Read more: What Beyoncé said in her text to Meghan following Oprah interview

Will Prince Harry and Meghan only have two children? [Photo: Getty]
Will Prince Harry and Meghan only have two children? [Photo: Getty]

The mum-of-two went on to say that she had a very long standing relationship with her doctor, and that's who she trusted with her pregnancy, but that her doctor was based at the Portland Hospital, whereas the steps, where members of the Royal Family traditionally introduce their newborns, were at the Lindo Wing.

Meghan was 37 when she gave birth to her first child, Archie, now three, and 39 when she welcomed her youngest daughter, Lilibet, now one, which meant she was technically classed as an older mum, due to the fact that women over the age of 35 are considered to have a “geriatric pregnancy".

While being an older mother certainly isn’t uncommon, in fact recent statistics suggest around around one in five women is 35 or older when she gives birth, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists previously highlighted that there are greater health risks associated with later in life pregnancy.

"Women over 35 years of age are at increased risk of early pregnancy and obstetric and neonatal complications," a scientific paper on reproductive ageing explains.

"The older woman is more likely to experience stillbirths, miscarriage or ectopic pregnancies."

Watch: Archie Mountbatten-Windsor sings Twinkle Twinkle in Harry & Meghan docuseries

While most older mums do have healthy pregnancies and give birth to healthy babies, there are also some complications which increase with age, such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, low lying placenta, placental abruption and growth problems for babies.

"There are small increases in most pregnancy - and birth-related complications with age," the NCT website explains. "These complications include increased risks of getting gestational diabetes, placenta praevia and of your baby being in the breech position.

Read more: The 12 biggest revelations from Harry and Meghan's tell-all Netflix documentary

Meghan revealed her fears about being an older mum in the run up to giving birth to Archie. (Getty Images)
Meghan revealed her fears about being an older mum in the run up to giving birth to Archie. (Getty Images)

And as Meghan feared in the run up to the birth of Archie: "You’re also more likely to need an emergency caesarean, or experience a postpartum haemorrhage or prolonged labour."

While the reasons for the increased risks are not fully understood, the NCT says research suggests that physiological and cellular changes with age, which affect how the uterus muscles contract, might be a factor.

Though there are clearly some risks associated to pregnancy and birth as an older woman, there are also some advantages of motherhood at a slightly advanced aged.

"Being ‘ready’ to have a baby is critically important for the ability to enjoy parenthood too," the NCT points out. "Older mums may be more prepared financially and socially to welcome a new baby into the world than they were at a younger age.

"And it might be a relief to hear that all of these factors can compensate, or even more than compensate, for the disadvantages connected with having a baby later in life."

Read more: Harry reveals Archie's like Meghan and Lilibet resembles Diana: 'Very Spencer-like'

Of course, we know that Meghan went on to have two healthy children, but in the latest episodes of the documentary series, she has also discussed the miscarriage she experienced in 2020.

In episode six of the series, the couple discussed their reasons for sharing their pregnancy loss with the world, with Meghan explaining how she hoped it might help others in the same situation.

"So when I reveal things that are moments of vulnerability, when it comes to having a miscarriage and maybe having felt ashamed about that, like it's okay, you're human. It's okay to talk about that.

"I could make the choice to never talk about those things or I could make the choice to say that with all the bad that comes with this, the good is being able to help other people.

"The point of life is connection and community like that," she added.