Has Meghan Markle hired a doula for her royal baby's birth?

Someone special might be joining Duchess Meghan for the birth of her first child this spring! As Prince Harry and Meghan eagerly await their bundle of joy, several reports are saying that the duchess has hired a doula to support her during labour.

A doula – typically a woman without formal medical training – provides emotional support and guidance through a woman's pregnancy, labour and postpartum experience. “Meghan is focused on calm and positive energy around the birth — she’s a big believer in that,” a royal source recently told Us Weekly. Given Meghan's love for yoga and mindfulness, it wouldn't be a surprise if she did, in fact, enlist a doula's help. 

Other outlets have cited conversations from the Doula UK members' website as proof that the "labour coach" will join the 37-year-old during delivery. Recent chats have led some to believe the job has gone to Lauren Mischon, who when asked if the rumours were true on the message board, replied with the message: "I’m busy in Spring. I could not possibly say."

When The Sun questioned the 40-year-old doula further, she said “Well, I am obviously not at liberty to talk about who, or who might not, be my client. So I can’t ­possibly... I wouldn’t be able to talk to you about anything.” Interestingly, Lauren has a royal connection already, given she's married to Oliver Mishcon, the grandson of solicitor Lord Mishcon whose law firm handled the divorce of the late Princess Diana and Prince Charles.

Though it's not yet known where Duchess Meghan will deliver her first child with Prince Harry, signs are pointing to the couple enjoying a low-key birth – and not at the royal-loved Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital. A source recently revealed to Us Weekly that the former actress and her husband may opt for Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey. “It will be much less chaos and more of a private event than if she gives birth in London like Kate did,” the source said. The hospital is the same outpost Prince Edward's wife, Sophie, gave birth to Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn.

More recently, though, the Telegraph, reported that Lindo Wing staff have been told not to take a holiday in the spring, sparking rumours that the Duchess Meghan plans to deliver there. A source told the publication: “Staff at the Lindo Wing have been asked not to take holiday in April. Everyone thinks it’s got something to do with the royal baby but no one is confirming anything.”

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