Everything Meghan did to get pregnant at 39

The Duchess of Sussex is pregnant again, and we couldn’t be happier for her! After her devastating early pregnancy loss last year, the Princess bravely faced the world’s media with a thoughtful essay about her miscarriage. While a new pregnancy does not replace the baby lost, the latest announcement from the couple is welcome and joyful news.

Meghan is an older mother – we absolutely refuse to use the dreadful term “Geriatric Mother”! If you’re trying to conceive over the age of 39 yourself, it’s always encouraging to see women that have pulled it off. Let’s have a look at all of the things Meghan did right, for her own mental, physical and reproductive health.

Rumours that Meghan has undergone any type of medical intervention, including egg-freezing, trigger shots or IVF are just that – rumours. The truth is we just don’t know how much of Meghan’s pregnancy is down to medical science, lifestyle choices and genetic luck. We can be certain, however, that many of the Princess’s lifestyle choices have supported her desire for a second child, so let’s look at them in more detail:

She removed herself from a stressful environment

The Royal couple made the controversial decision to remove themselves not only from the UK – but from the Royal “firm” almost completely. While they remain richer and better connected than our wildest dreams, that was still an extremely bold move. Family tension can exacerbate stress, and Meghan found some aspects of life in the traditional and stiff-upper-lip Royal household oppressive. The couple decided they’d had enough and relocated to California, where the princess appears happier and more at home.

Stress can affect many aspects of fertility, and sometimes a change of scenery can appear to help with conception. The old wive’s tale of “Just relax and it will happen!” isn’t always complete nonsense, although you might roll your eyes at that saying if you’ve ever been infertile for more than a year.

Around 50% of fertility issues are male-factor, and it could be that Harry also needed a break! While he’s still relatively young, many people don’t realise that sperm quality also declines with age. As a couple, cutting out stress while trying to conceive is a smart thing to do.

She eats like a green Goddess

Meghan’s glowing skin, bright eyes and slim figure are a testament to her wonderful diet. No amount of surgery can fake that type of healthy glow. Health also affects egg quality – and as Meghan’s super-healthy lifestyle is bound to influence husband Harry, his sperm quality stands every chance of being tip-top too.

No one has the perfect diet, and women with terrible diets fall pregnant all the time. It’s much more complicated than simply avoiding burgers and eating your greens. However, upping your intake of fruit, veg and nuts, while making sure you are taking enough vitamins and minerals to support your overall health and egg quality and future pregnancy, is an awfully good idea. Certain vitamins and minerals can have a measurable effect on fertility if your levels are low, so it’s also a good idea to get your levels of Vitamin D and other nutrients checked out with your doctor.

Meghan’s pretty much plant-based these days, and the WHO says it’s fine to be TTC on a plant-based diet, as long as you’re smart about your choices. Books such as “It Starts with the Egg” by Rebecca Fett can point you in the right direction regarding nutrition for egg health. Nutrients such as Omega-3 in the all-important DHA form can be found in algae oil, so it’s fine to consider being a Green Goddess like Meghan, as long as you do your research.

We have science-focused articles on plant-based fertility nutrition here!

She got great advice

When Meghan was photographed on the steps of an up-market clinic in the US, the rumour mill insisted that she’d been for trigger shots or an IVF consultation. However, we just don’t know. What we do know is that the Royals take their health very seriously, and have their own personal top physicians and doctors, as well as nutritionists and personal trainers. Meghan would have taken the time to explore all of her options, and made a plan for her reproductive health on the advice of multiple experts.

While we can’t all afford Harley Street’s top fertility experts and a personal nutritionist, we can educate ourselves on all aspects of the fertility journey, including mental and physical health, and all of our reproductive options. Some of the world’s most cutting-edge ideas about fertility nutrition are beginning to filter down from the very top-end of research & development. Research into the microbiome, for example, sounded like science fiction just a few years ago, but now scientists believe it plays a huge part in overall health. It’s very likely that Meghan’s fertility nutrition included ingredients and products designed to support the gut. NUA Fertility is a great example of a product that turns an exciting new discovery into a product that positively impacts fertility.

She ignores Piers Morgan

Everyone seems to have a lot to say about fertility, and sometimes it feels like most of it is judgemental nonsense. Piers was recently critical about the Princess’s pregnancy announcement, which was actually very sweet, and echoed the late Princess Diana’s Valentine’s Day pregnancy announcement. A little note to Piers, just in case he’s a fan of Best Fertility Now – there’s nothing wrong with celebrating your Rainbow Baby with your husband on the most romantic day of the year.

Does the man ever shut up? Probably not, but it’s usually better to ignore the nay-sayers, the people suggesting weird fertility cures or telling you to get a puppy. Meghan never acknowledges the critics, she just carries on in her own graceful way, doing exactly what she thinks needs to be done, and only speaking to experts and trusted friends and family about it.

While you may have to politely put up with your mother-in-law’s unhelpful comments over the dinner table, at least she’s not the Queen of England! We’ve all got a Piers Morgan in our life – that one person who will moan and be negative no matter what you do. Be selective in who you share your infertility journey with, and value your close friends and confidants, as Meghan has learned to value hers in her own unique fairytale.

Are you trying to get pregnant over 40? We’d love to hear all about it! Please leave your comments below.