Meghan Markle today shocked fans by revealing she suffereda 'huge medical scare' after giving birth.
In the first episode of her new podcast Confessions Of A Female Founder, the Duchess of Sussexsaid she had postpartum pre-eclampsia after welcoming one of her children.
Speaking with friend andentrepreneur Whitney Wolfe Herd, who founded the female-focused dating app Bumble, Meghan described the ordeal as 'so scary', while Wolfe Herd, who also suffered the condition, said it was 'life or death, truly'.
The little-known condition is similar to pre-eclampsia — which affects women during pregnancy — and involves dangerously high blood pressure.
Experts don't know exactly what causespostpartum pre-eclampsia (or postnatal pre-eclampsia) but believe there may be some contributing factors including rapidchanges in hormonal levels and fluids which affect blood pressure.
Initially, some women may not experience any noticeable signs — another reason it can be so dangerous.
But unexplained headaches, swelling of the hands, face or legs and seeing spots or other vision changes are common symptoms of the condition that require medical attention.
Here MailOnline reveals everything you need to know about the dangerous illness.
In the first episode of her new podcast Confessions Of A Female Founder, the Duchess of Sussex said she had post-partum pre-eclampsia after welcoming one of her children
Harry and Meghan with their baby son in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle on May 8, 2019. Her podcast guest Whitney Wolfe Herd said of this moment:'I was either just becoming or about to become a new mom, and I was like, 'Oh my God, how is this woman doing this?'
Complications from uncontrolled postpartum pre-eclampsia, which can occurup to six weeks after the baby is born, can be severe and scary, medics say.
It canresult in damage to the liver, kidneys, and blood disorders, as well as cause stroke and seizure, so it’s important for everyone to be aware of it.
But other common signs includeabdominal pain, rapid weight gain and shortness of breath.
DrSonia Tolani, an assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University, said: 'Women at higher risk for development of pre-eclampsia may want to discuss measuring their blood pressure at home or checking in with their obstetrician within a few days of discharge to be checked.
'It is very important for women to seek urgent evaluation if they do have symptoms as pre-eclampsia can proceed very quickly.'
She added: 'Studies show that the development of postpartum preeclampsia increases a woman’s risk of having heart disease or stroke later in life.
'So while it is important for all women to lead a heart-healthy lifestyle, it is even more important for women who experience hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.'
According to the NHS, several factors can contribute to the development of post-partum pre-eclampsia in older women without a prior history of high blood pressure — known medically as hypertension.
Speaking with friend and entrepreneur Whitney Wolfe Herd (pictured), who founded the female-focused dating app Bumble and co-founded Tinder, Meghan confessed it was 'so rare' and 'so scary'
The Duchess has not revealed which baby she suffered the complication with
These include hormone changes.The rapid hormonal shifts after childbirth can affect blood pressure regulation, potentially leading to hypertension.
Women with a history of gestational hypertension also have an increased risk of developing postpartum preeclampsia.
Experts recommend women follow a range of recommendations to stay alert to any signs or symptoms of hypertension.
These include eating at a healthy diet, avoiding foods that are heavy in salt.
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products are healthier, they say.
They also recommend light exercise after birth given physical activity can help lower blood pressure.
Activities such as walking, swimming, or gentle yoga can be beneficial.
In the podcast interview recorded in February, Meghan and Wolfe Herd discussed how they had bothsuffered from postpartum pre-eclampsia.
The Duchess of Sussex has launched a new podcast called 'Confessions Of A Female Founder'
Meghan's announcement on Instagram today to confirm her new podcast is now live
Meghan said: '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.'
Meghan did not reveal whether she suffered the condition after the birth of her son Prince Archie, five, or her daughter Princess Lilibet, three. Wolfe Herd has two sons.
The Duchess added: 'It's so rare and so scary. And 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.'
Wolfe Herd added: 'I mean life or death, truly.'
Speaking aboutMeghan and Harry introducing Archie to the world in a photocall at St George's Hall in Windsor Castle in May 2019, two days after his birth, she told the Duchess: 'I mean, I'll never forget the image of you after you delivered Archie, and the whole world was waiting for his debut.
'I was either just becoming or about to become a new mom, and I was like, "Oh my God, how is this woman doing this? How is this woman putting on heels and going and debuting a child in this, you know, beautiful outfit in front of the entire world?"
Wolfe Herd added: 'I could barely face a doorbell delivery for takeout food in a robe' – to which Meghan laughed.
