Princess Beatrice has spoken about feeling “incredibly alone” after the premature birth of her daughter and called for greater awareness towards others.
The daughter of exiled former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson said she had felt pressure to be “perfect” as she anticipated the birth of her daughter Athena Elizabeth Rose, who was born several weeks early on January 22.
Beatrice has joined forces with premature birth research charity Borne, to campaign for more research into prematurity, which she believes could be “life-changing” for parents.
“I think very often, especially as mothers, we go through life feeling like we have to be perfect to do this,” Beatrice said on the special edition of The Borne Podcast released Monday.
“And sometimes, when you're faced with the moment of knowing your baby will be born a little early, it can feel incredibly alone.
“And even now, talking to some of the mothers who know about my work with Borne, they feel a kind of life-changing relief in knowing that there is an organization there that supports the research and the questions, and asks some of these important questions.”
Beatriz was due to give birth to her daughter Athena in early spring, but in December she received medical advice not to travel long distances.
He had originally planned to spend the holiday abroad but joined the royal family at Sandringham Church on Christmas Day after doctors warned a premature arrival was possible.
Last week, Borne patron Beatrice visited the charity's research laboratories in Chelsea and London's Westminster Hospital as part of the Every Week Counts campaign.
She told the Borne Podcast that she is sharing her story in the hopes that it will allow others to come forward, adding that everyone can “learn from each other.”
The princess said that what she likes most about being a mother is that it is “like a secret club to share stories.”
“And I love the fact that Borne is there to support them (mothers) when they're going through something incredibly traumatic, and how we can make sure that phenomenal data, great tools, great doctors, everything is available to them so that no mother can feel alone,” she said.
Every year, 60,000 babies are born prematurely in the UK, accounting for one in every 13 births.
According to Borne, worldwide, 15 million babies are born prematurely and complications resulting from prematurity remain the leading cause of neonatal death and permanent disability. However, pregnancy and childbirth receive less than 2% of medical research funding, the charity said.
“I was actually really surprised to learn that we really don't have that much data on women's health, on pregnant women's health,” Beatrice told The Borne Podcast.
“That's why I was very passionate that high-quality data could enrich the medical field.
“I think the key is that all the scientists we have approached to be part of the Borne collaboration have said: look, we are not making progress alone, but with Borne helping us work together, we will make a difference.
“We will change what happens in hospitals every day around the world.”
