A rare and potentially life-threatening condition — postpartum preeclampsia — was the focus of the first episode of Meghan Markle’s new podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder. The Duchess of Sussex, 43, spoke with Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of the dating app Bumble, revealing that both women experienced severe complications after giving birth.
Postpartum preeclampsia is marked by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine after childbirth — a little-known condition that can lead to severe complications. “It’s truly a matter of life and death,” Wolfe Herd said on the podcast.
"We both had very similar experiences—though we didn't know each other at the time—with postpartum, and we both had preeclampsia. Postpartum preeclampsia," Markle shared.
She further described the condition as "so rare and so scary," emphasizing the challenges of managing such a health issue while fulfilling public responsibilities. Meghan noted, "You're still trying to juggle all of these things, and the world doesn't know what's happening quietly. And in the quiet, you're still trying to show up for people—mostly for your children—but those things are huge medical scares."
The two women spoke candidly about the vulnerable moments of childbirth and the struggles that often follow. “I’ll never forget the photo of you after you had Archie, when the whole world was waiting to see him,” Wolfe Herd told Markle. “I was at the very beginning of motherhood, thinking, ‘God, how is this woman doing it? How is she in heels and wearing this gorgeous outfit and presenting her child to the world?’” She added, “I could barely handle a food delivery at the door while wearing a robe.”
What is preeclampsia, and how dangerous is it?
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that typically develops after the 20th week of gestation, characterized by a sudden rise in blood pressure, protein in the urine and sometimes swelling, headaches, blurred vision or abdominal pain. In severe cases, it can pose serious risks to both mother and baby, requiring early diagnosis and close medical supervision.
Preeclampsia automatically classifies a pregnancy as high-risk and may necessitate medical intervention, including early delivery. In mothers, it can lead to dangerously high blood pressure, kidney damage, neurological complications and seizures. For the fetus, it increases the risk of distress, the need for an emergency C-section or even stillbirth in extreme cases.
Who’s at risk?
“There are certain risk factors even before conception, such as being over 35, underweight or overweight or having pre-existing conditions like diabetes, chronic hypertension, clotting disorders (such as APLA), kidney or heart disease or undergoing IVF,” explains Dr. Khadija Shamali, an OB-GYN specializing in high-risk pregnancies at the northern district of Meuhedet Health Services.
Dr. Khadija ShamaliPhoto: Meuhedet Health ServicesShe adds that egg or sperm donation, multiple pregnancies and a history of C-sections can also increase the likelihood of developing preeclampsia. During pregnancy, additional indicators of risk may include signs of placental problems, such as placental abruption or restricted fetal growth — usually detected later in pregnancy. Abnormal results in screening tests, such as elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in the second trimester, may also point to increased risk.
What are the signs of preeclampsia?
A blood pressure reading above 140/90 after the 20th week of pregnancy is considered gestational hypertension but not necessarily preeclampsia. In the case of preeclampsia, elevated blood pressure is accompanied by protein in the urine.
“When additional clinical symptoms are present — such as abnormal lab results, severe headaches, seizures, neurological issues, kidney damage or respiratory distress — it is considered severe preeclampsia, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment and close monitoring,” says Dr. Shamali.
What symptoms should women watch for?
Key warning signs include severe headaches that don’t respond to painkillers, upper abdominal pain (especially on the right side) and blurred vision. In any such case, urgent medical attention is needed to prevent life-threatening complications.
What’s the difference between preeclampsia and postpartum preeclampsia?
“While preeclampsia typically appears after the 20th week of pregnancy, it can sometimes develop after childbirth — known as postpartum preeclampsia,” says Dr. Shamali. “This condition involves high blood pressure and related symptoms and can appear up to 12 weeks after delivery, most often within the first 48 hours.”
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The symptoms are similar in both cases — headaches, blurred vision, abdominal pain — but the difference lies in timing. “That’s why it’s crucial that women monitor their blood pressure and stay alert to symptoms not only during pregnancy but also in the postpartum period,” she stresses.
How does maternal age affect pregnancy risks?
As maternal age increases, so do pregnancy risks for both mother and baby. “Older mothers face higher chances of complications such as preeclampsia, bleeding and placental abruption,” Dr. Shamali explains. “On the fetal side, there’s a greater risk of restricted growth and premature birth. After age 35, pregnancy is usually considered high-risk, and those risks rise significantly after age 40 — including a higher likelihood of cesarean delivery.”
What’s the treatment?
In most cases, preeclampsia resolves after childbirth, but sometimes immediate medical intervention is required. “Treatment may include medications to lower blood pressure and magnesium to prevent seizures,” says Dr. Shamali. “If preeclampsia develops during pregnancy, early delivery might be necessary — depending on the severity of the condition and the pregnancy stage.”