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Why is Meghan Markle considered a geriatric pregnancy and what are the risks involved with becoming an older mum?

After weeks of speculation it was finally confirmed Meghan Markle is expecting her first child

IT was finally confirmed what everyone suspected – Meghan Markle is pregnant with her first child.

Kensington Palace made the official announcement via Twitter on October 15.

Meghan and Harry tied the knot in May

WPA Rota
Meghan and Harry tied the knot in May



Why is Meghan Markle considered a geriatric pregnancy?

Meghan Markle is due to give birth next year, before her birthday in August.

It mean she will be 37, and be classed as geriatric pregnancy.

Despite the label, more women are choosing to delay motherhood.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed in 2016, the latest year figures are available for, 54 per cent of mums were aged 30 and over.

The term geriatric pregnancy is given to women who are pregnant over the age of 35.

Lately the term has fallen out of favour ,and the phrase ‘older mums’ is more likely to be used instead.

NHS list of risks associated with being an older mum

  • Greater difficulty in initially conceiving a child, with the personal and psychological difficulties that this can cause
  • Increased risk of complications for both mother and infant during pregnancy and delivery (although the actual size of the risk may be small)
  • Greater risk of general maternal health problems, such as high blood pressure, which can contribute to complications
  • Higher risk of miscarriage in women above the age of 35
  • Higher risk of having twins or triplets, which is itself associated with higher risk of complications
  • Increased chance of having a baby with a congenital abnormality, such as Down’s syndrome
  • Increased risk of pre-eclampsia
  • Increased risk of complications during delivery, such as prolonged labour, need for assisted delivery or Caesarean section, or stillbirth

What are the risks involved with becoming an older mum?

The older a woman is when she’s pregnant, the higher the risk of complications or health problems.

The NHS says: “As women get older, both mothers and babies face an increased risk of pregnancy-related complications and health problems.

“These are due to changes in the reproductive system and the increased likelihood of general health problems that comes with age.”

There are increased risks of a miscarriage or having a baby with Down’s Syndrome.

Meghan will be 37 when she gives birth

Getty - Contributor
Meghan will be 37 when she gives birth

Despite the increased risks, the NHS added that: “Many women who become pregnant in their late 30s and early 40s have perfectly healthy pregnancies and babies.”

And Meghan won’t be the oldest royal to have a baby.

The Queen had her youngest, Prince Edward, when she just a few weeks shy of her 38th birthday.


Sophie, Countess of Wessex, gave birth to her first child, Lady Louise Windsor, just two months before she turned 39.

And she had her second, James, Viscount Severn, when she was 43.

While younger than Meghan, Kate Middleton had Prince Louis when she was 36, so technically she was an older mum too.

What will Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Royal baby be named?