Why Diana Broke The "Twilight Sleep" Royal Birth Tradition

Jul 01, 2021 by apost team

Princess Diana was always a trailblazer, from her stunning sense of style to her activism and the kind way she interacted with everyone she met. She was considered a fashion icon and was incredibly personable with the general public, making her easily beloved by many. Diana has made a great impact not only on British culture but on people all over the world. When she died in August 1997, the world grieved the loss of the Princess of Wales, and the royal family has since gone on to find ways to memorialize her, including a benefit concert in 2007 and an unveiling of a statue in her honor in 2021.

Although Diana is no longer with us, she has made a lasting impact on the world, especially for women in the royal family. Her contributions to changing traditions that had been set in place for over a century have even impacted Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, the wives of Diana’s children, Prince William and Prince Harry, respectively.

Not one to shy away from speaking her truth and acting in her own right, Diana was responsible for changing a royal tradition that women went through while giving birth. She pioneered the way and the location that royal women today now give birth as she opposed the “twilight sleep” method that so many royals before her opted for. With her influence continuing to last to this very day, many women in the royal family have Diana to thank for her pioneering work and adamant attitude during her time as a princess.

Diana’s first pregnancy was announced in November 1981, and just seven months later, she gave birth to her first son William on June 21, 1982. Just over two years later, the Prince and Princess of Wales welcomed their second son, Harry, who was born on Sept. 15, 1984. While her sons have gone on to be prominent figures, even their births were remarkably different from royal births in previous generations.

In early June 2021, many news outlets released information that Diana was actually the one responsible for changing the way that women in the royal family give birth. According to Marie Claire, royal births dated as far back as the 1840s included undergoing a “twilight sleep.” This meant that the mother would be put under general anesthesia that progressed to falling asleep. During this time, the baby would be pulled out with forceps in a pain-free method since the mother was numb from the anesthesia.

Marie Claire reported that both Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II opted for the “twilight sleep” since it would be painless and “drama-free.” Much like she had ditched the tradition of wearing hats and gloves at royal outings, Diana proved to be a trend-setter within the family and shied away from this tradition. She has since been credited with being a kickstarter for royal childbirth in hospitals.

Not only did Diana choose to stay awake while giving birth naturally, but she also stood up during the process. Natural childbirth expert Sheila Kitzinger said that the Princess of Wales didn’t want to lie down and instead opted to “give birth in an upright position,” as per Marie Claire. 

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Kitzinger was an activist for natural childbirth and was an author of more than 20 books about pregnancy and childbirth. She was widely known for her passion and commitment to change the way women gave birth. Diana wasn’t alone during this time, as Kitzinger recalled Prince Charles being with her and helping to hold her up straight when needed. “It was the first active royal birth – a complete contrast to the Queen’s,” Kitzinger said.

While Diana had already ditched one royal birth tradition by not having a “twilight sleep,” she didn’t stop there with continuing to change the way she delivered her babies, William and Harry. Rather than giving birth at Kensington Palace, Diana instead chose to have her babies at St. Mary’s hospital in Paddington, a tradition that her daughters-in-law Kate and Meghan have also followed. 

All three of William and Kate’s children were born at St. Mary’s, and they were even born in the same wing, according to Marie Claire. Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, Meghan and Harry’s son, was born at Portland Hospital in London, while their daughter, Lilibet, was born at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California.

Diana’s movement to create a new tradition within the royal family has lasted for almost 40 years now as she pioneered the new way in which royal women give birth to their babies. Choosing to be awake, present, and at a hospital, Diana’s decision to not engage in the “twilight sleep” method of having babies while at home has changed the way royal women today deliver their little bundles of joy.

What do you think about Princess Diana and her trailblazing ways that changed how royal women give birth? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your loved ones, too!