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While people were waiting for South African media personality and businessperson Lerato Kganyago to close off Valentine’s Day by topping off everyone’s gift, the Metro FM presenter had just lost a baby two days before.
She took to her Instagram page to reveal to her three million followers that she had had a miscarriage.
She explained that this painful experience was the reason she was silent on social media, adding that this time around, she was hopeful. This year’s miscarriage was the Flutter by LKG owner’s fifth.
She revealed in 2021 that she had a fourth miscarriage when she was about three to four months pregnant.
READ: Miscarriage: Your questions answered
She said her recent pregnancy was the happiest but also the most painful part of her life this month. She posted a pregnancy scan dated 26 January 2024, followed by this:
She added:
"I’m a phoenix. I will be back. Dear February, you’ve hurt me."
In 2017, the DJ told her X followers that she could not have children. It was on Mother’s Day and was asked when she would be having children.
Before that, she had revealed in an interview with True Love Magazine that she suffered from fibroids and was told by doctors that it would be difficult to have children.
READ: Infertility: The social and psychological impact of struggling to build a nuclear family
Specialist wellness counsellor, Lauriahne Eksteen, who has also suffered multiple miscarriages, said most of the time, women lose confidence after suffering a miscarriage. She added that society often expects women to get over it and be strong, but "the hurt is real, and the loss remains tremendous".
Eksteen, who now has a child, said many people tend to focus on the women more than the men, but in actual fact, both of them need as much support as they can get.
Sending hugs to Lerato Kganyago. From a woman who's been married 11 years with no child, I can't even begin to imagine how she feels. pic.twitter.com/WUxwMaxsBU
— Maka_Kairo (@kairos_stepmom) February 22, 2024
Lerato Kganyago WILL get that rainbow baby ??
— Mihlali ???? (@NtMihlali) February 22, 2024
The specialist advised that people close to those who have miscarried, should refrain from encouraging the couple to try again, and not start the miscarriage topic unless it was started by the grieving couple.
She said:
She shared how gestures like taking them out for coffee, together or separately were always a good place to start.
"Wait until they start talking about the topic. If they don’t, leave it alone. Unless you have been through this and can relate, then just say you are there for them. You might have a success story, they might not."
She added:
"Never give false hope. If they just experienced a miscarriage, then hope is not the answer they want to hear. If they just heard that they are pregnant, then hope is the only thing they want to hear. My advice, always be genuine in your interaction. It will be appreciated more than anything else."
