From simply guessing in passing conversation to getting involved in a sweepstake, ahead of the birth of a child many people find great interest in the question of what sex a newborn may be. Nevertheless, many people choose to place bets on whether new arrivals will be male or female. This includes speculation about what the sex of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s baby will be. Some people even decide to study the shape of a pregnant person’s bump. However, experienced practising midwife and my expert midwife founder Lesley Gilchrist has told Express.co.uk that this is in no way a reliable way to predict the sex of a baby.
She said: “Unfortunately, there is no way to predict the sex of a baby.
“There are many old wives tales and most are correct 50 per cent of the time.”
It comes amid speculation that the shape of the baby bump may reveal what the sex of the royal baby will be.
While shutting down the suggestions of their sex based on the shape of the bump, practising midwife did however make one huge prediction – suggesting that the royals could actually be about to hear the pitter patter or two sets of feet, rather than just one.
Speculating that Meghan may be having twins, Lesley explained that the expectant mum’s bump has seemed to be larger than she’d have expected.
She said: “The progress of Meghan’s beautiful baby bump has been well documented in photos since the happy news was announced last October.
“Having been a midwife for over 16 years and seen and encountered countless pregnant mums, Meghan has consistently carried a larger than expected bump suggesting she could be expecting twins.”
Lesley continued: “First time mums tend to have ‘neater bumps’ due to muscle memory.
“With subsequent pregnancies the muscles and skin of the abdomen give more easily – it’s why women ‘show’ earlier after their first baby.”
The plans surrounding the birth of the royal baby have been kept under wraps.
A statement released by Buckingham Palace confirmed this would be the case, as well as explaining that the parents-to-be had made a personal choice to enjoy the happy arrival privately, before telling the world.
It read: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very grateful for the goodwill they have received from people throughout the United Kingdom and around the world as they prepare to welcome their baby.
“Their Royal Highnesses have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private.
“The Duke and Duchess look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone else once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family.”
Ahead of the birth, Prince Harry and Meghan have been issued a warning about the pressure of releasing a photograph of their child.
We-Vibe’s relationship expert Dr Becky Spelman said: “Above all, like any other couple, they should be careful not to take on too much, and to take as much time as they need to bond with their little one and with one another.
“There will be a lot of pressure on them to appear at photo ops, and it would probably be a good idea to get one or two out of the way so that they can retreat to their private space unbothered by the media.”
Who is Meghan Markle? Quick profile
Meghan Markle was born Rachel Meghan Markle, on August 4, 1981 to parents Doria Ragland and father Thomas Markle.
Her father was previously married to Roslyn Loveless and Meghan has two elder half sibling – sister Samantha Markle and brother Thomas Markle Junior.
Actress
Meghan’s first television appearance in the USA was in an episode of the medical drama General Hospital in 2002.
She later moved on to roles in CSI, Without a Trace and Castle along with bit parts in Hollywood films including Get Him to the Greek, Remember Me and Horrible Bosses.
Meghan was also a “briefcase girl” on Deal or No Deal – but her most famous role was as Rachel Zane in legal drama Suits, which launched in 2011.
She was written out in the finale of the seventh series when her character got married, which aired in April 2018 – just before she got married herself.
Charity and humanitarian work
Meghan Markle’s career in television has gone hand-in-hand with her support for causes close to her heart.
She wrote about the stigma around menstrual health in an article for Time magazine and was a Global Ambassador for World Vision Canada – with whom she travelled to Rwanda for the charity’s Clean Water Campaign.
And her commitment to gender equality has seen her work with the United Nations – receiving a standing ovation in 2015 for her speech to mark International Women’s Day.
Relationships
In September 2011, she wed film producer Trevor Engelson, who she began dating in 2004.
But the pair divorced two years later in August 2013, citing irreconcilable difference.
She was in a relationship with celebrity chef Cory Vitiello for almost two years, before they broke it off in 2016 but the two remain good friends.
And in June 2016, she met Prince Harry on a blind date set up by a mutual friend.
Their relationship began in October that year and just over one year later, on November 27, 2017, the pair announced their engagement.
They married on May 19, 2018 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
Meghan’s heritage
Some have claimed Meghan Markle is the first mixed-race member of the Royal Family.
Historians are still arguing about Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III.
But Meghan will be the first royal to openly embrace a mixed-race heritage.
She has written about the difficulties of being a biracial actress in Hollywood as she claims she is not black enough for some roles and not white enough for others.