‘Is Meghan Markle Pregnant’ Trending Proves How Much Pressure Is On Women To ‘Complete’ Their Family

Rumours around a second pregnancy for Meghan Markle are ablaze right now, with ‘Is Meghan Markle pregnant?’ trending on Google, up 80% in the past few months. Why? Well, there is no apparent reason – apart from, of course, tabloid speculation.

Despite there being no potential baby bump nor a cheeky nod to a second baby from ‘sources’, reports surface every few weeks speculating on a Meghan Markle pregnancy. Given the Google search results that show people are increasingly wondering whether Meghan is pregnant - searches for 'Meghan Markle pregnant' have increased by 70% in the last 90 days, they’re clearly feeding (or fuelling) public desire.

But the question is not whether or not Meghan is pregnant, or even wants to be right now – the question is why people are so obsessed with her having a second baby. Meghan and Harry have been open about wanting no more than two children, that is true – and sources that claim to be close to the pair have hypothesized that they want a child sooner rather than later. But why are the public so desperate to know if it’s happening or not?

It seems she has fallen foul to the undying pressure women of a certain age face to ‘complete’ their family. Turning 39 today, it seems all anyone can see is her biological clock ticking away and time running out to have that supposed ‘perfect’ family size of 2 children.

That’s not us making that up, by the way, there has been actual scientific research on the ‘optimal number’ of children depending on your lifestyle – and as any woman over 30 has likely seen, much societal pressure to have at least two. Oh and don’t forget the judgement if you have more than three, lest we forget the less than savoury reaction to Jools Oliver revealing she wants to add another baby to her current five children family with comments branding her 'selfish' and suggesting there was something 'seriously wrong' withher desire to have another child.

‘I have one son and from about the time he turned two I’ve had comments from family and friends about “popping out another one”’, says Laura*, 33. ‘There is definitely pressure, especially from people who have a few kids themselves.

‘I just find it so ridiculous because they say it so casually, as if they’re not asking you to add an entire human to your life that is completely reliant on you,’ Laura continues. ‘Having my son is the best thing I’ve ever done but there’s no denying that babies are a huge pull on your mental health, your finances, stress levels, relationship. It’s like “Oh come on you have to have another one!” and I’m like “So, are you going to pay for them? Look after them? Push them out your vagina?”. Like, my quality of life still matters even after having a baby.’

Jennifer*, 35, who also has one child, agrees. ‘People see you as a walking womb after you’ve had a baby,’ she says. ‘It’s like once you’re a mother that’s your entire purpose and so why not have another one or two? I’m happy with it just being me and my daughter, and I might want to give her a sibling eventually but right now my focus is on giving us both a great life before I even consider adding another life into the mix.’

It’s the stories like this one, constantly speculating on Meghan Markle’s womb, that add to that pressure. Because even if she doesn’t see the headlines, other women do. They see the speculation, the obsession for her to have a second baby and the message is simply: one baby is not enough. And it might not be for some parents who want a bigger family, but those who don’t shouldn’t feel pressure or shame for not conforming to societies ideal of the ‘complete’ family.

Whether it’s questions from friends of family or tabloid speculation, we need to stop treating mothers as if they’re on a womb conveyer belt until they’re done.

*names have been changed

Click through for Meghan's best fashion moments...