When Is Meghan Markle Due? Why Duchess Of Sussex Could Give Birth Any Day

Meghan Markle isn’t due until the end of April or early May, but some experts are cautioning the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to be prepared for the possibility that they could welcome their first child together sooner than that.

According to a 2015 study by the Journal of Clinical Investigation, once a certain process happens in the baby’s development, a woman could give birth at any time. The study revealed that the birthing process is triggered once the fetus begins to secrete the protein-A (SP-A) from its lungs, which releases amniotic fluid.

Now, since Markle is in the final stages of her pregnancy, OB-GYN doctors have spoken to Express UK about what the Duchess could expect, which includes the potential for earlier than expected labor.

“At the present time, full understanding of what triggers labor is not completely known,” Meg Wilson, a consultant gynecologist at London Gynaecology told the publication. “It is likely to be a combination of multiple factors, stretch of muscle fibers of the uterus and a cascade of hormones and inflammatory markers in the body.”

In addition to potential earlier labor, Markle will face some other medical changes as her pregnancy draws to a close, Pradnya Pisal, another doctor, told Express.

“There are six key pregnancy hormones, which contribute to the emotional and physiological changes women tend to experience when pregnant,” she said. “In the third trimester, the hormone ‘relaxin’ will help with cervical ripening and the facilitation of labor. It is also important in reducing insulin resistance.”

“The side effects of this hormone may be joint and ligament pains and backache,” she added. “It can also cause heartburn as it relaxes the smooth muscle and sphincter of the stomach, so acid comes up into the food pipe.”

She also stated that the Duchess could experience changes as her body prepares for her to nurse her baby as well.

Should Markle not give birth earlier and carry to her due date, her baby could wind up sharing its birthday with uncle Prince William and aunt Kate Middleton’s wedding anniversary, which occurs on April 30, or even Princess Charlotte’s own birthday, which happens on May 2.

If the baby is born a little earlier, it could share a birthday with Queen Elizabeth (on April 21) or Prince Louis (on April 23).