She’s one of the most resilient singers in South Africa and speaks openly about her battles. Singer and mom of one Lungi Naidoo (41) have never shied away from sharing intimate parts about her life.
In an interview with Drum in 2018, Lungi spoke openly about her highly publicised breakup with actor and singer Brian Temba and how the split was difficult.
“I didn’t eat, and I took sleeping pills day and night.” She also spent 18 years hustling for work and trying to make it as a star, hustling, singing in nightclubs but never giving up.
In a recent post on social media, the Feel Good singer opens up about her battle with fibroids and longing for another baby.
“In 2015 I had fibroids removed and was told that I should have my baby soon as the fibroids were not all out and would grow again,” she shares.
“I was single and had no baby plan. This created a silent yearning and sadness that I didn’t really talk about. I would randomly tell my friends I needed a donor so I could have my baby. By 2018 I had given up and again silently mourned the fact that I would never carry or hold another baby.”
Last year she got sick and ended up at the Gynecologists' room and there was a big fibroid in her uterus.
"I had my second operation and my amazing Dr. Oosthuizen walked me through the whole process. This time my age was the problem,” she says.
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She and her partner had not yet discussed having children at the time.
“My partner and I had not even had “the baby” talk and found ourselves discussing what next,” she says.
“He said we should try and trust each other through the whole process and we started our journey with Cape Fertility Clinic. I did Intrauterine insemination (IUI), an artificial insemination procedure for treating infertility, and got pregnant while recording my EP,” she says.
Her song Duro released this year was written while she was pregnant and is dedicated to her late son. In the song she sings the lyrics, “Can I feel your heartbeat, beat for me.”
“I named our baby Lusakhanya. The happiest moment for us. We lost the baby a little after this and we both fell apart.”
A devastating time for Lungi and her partner but they were adamant about trying again.
“We tried In vitro fertilisation (IVF) a few months later (as we were sick for a while with Covid-19). This little picture you see is our "Lil Sproggy” as the dad named him/her. Three days before my video shoot for Feel Good we also lost the second baba and decided to stop so I could get the EP out the way.”
Lungi says speaking out has helped stay positive.
“I am sharing this with you because through this darkness there has been so much light. I choose to stay positive and focus on God's plan for our little family.”She encourages those who have lost kids and are trying to never give up.
“To all mums who have had miscarriages and are trying to get pregnant whether naturally or through IVF, don’t give up. You will carry your baba soon. To the love of my life, my daughter Aleesa, one day you will have a little sis or brother.”
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What are fibroids?
Fibroids are tumors made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue that develop in the uterus. There are different types of fibroids: Subserosal fibroids which are most common. They can push outside of the uterus into the pelvis and can grow large at times and sometimes have a stalk that attaches to the uterus.
Then there are Intramural fibroids which develop in the muscular wall of the uterus.
Submucosal fibroids are uncommon, but they can grow into the open space inside the uterus and may also include a stalk.
It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of women will develop fibroids in their lifetime, yet not everyone will develop symptoms or require treatment. Fibroids are almost always benign, or noncancerous, yet some fibroids begin as cancer, but benign fibroids can’t become cancer. Cancerous fibroids are very rare. Because of this fact, it’s reasonable for women without symptoms to opt for observation rather than treatment.
Who is most likely to get fibroids?
No one has been able to pinpoint for sure what causes fibroids. Researchers think that Hormonal and Genetics (runs in families) can be the cause. Many contributing factors can increase a woman's risk of developing fibroids. Fibroids become more common as women mature, especially during the 30s and 40s, and through menopause and after menopause, fibroids tend to shrink. Having a family member with fibroids increases the risk and If one's mother had fibroids, her risk of having them is about three times higher than average. Obese or overweight women have a higher risk for fibroids and the risk is two to three times greater than average. Eating a lot of red meat or processed meats like ham has been linked to a higher risk of fibroids. Eating plenty of green vegetables has been reported to protect women from developing fibroids.
Pregnancy and Fibroids:
Women who have fibroids may or may not experience problems during pregnancy and delivery. Many women with fibroids have normal pregnancies. The most common problems seen in women with fibroids are; The risk of needing a c-section. The baby is not positioned well for vaginal delivery. Placental abruption is when the placenta breaks away from the wall of the uterus before delivery and the foetus does not get enough oxygen and Preterm delivery.
How can fibroids be treated?
Many women with fibroids do not show symptoms, for those who do have symptoms, some treatments can help. Talk with your doctor about the best way to treat your fibroids and will need to conduct checks before choosing a treatment. There are several drugs commonly used for birth control that can be prescribed to help control symptoms of fibroids. For fibroids with moderate or severe symptoms, surgery may be the best way to treat them. Speak to an obstetrician if you have fibroids and become pregnant.
Extra sources: https://www.womenshealth.gov/ https://www.uclahealth.org/
