Did you know that 1 in every 20 pregnant women have pre-eclampsia? Did you also know that pre-eclampsia is a global battle and it’s 7 times higher in developing countries like Nigeria, compared to developed countries.
I will share my story with you to help you get a good grasp of what this silent killer disease is.
Less Than 24 Hours To Live
My name is Shine Begho and I am a broadcaster with 15 years experience on Radio and Television. I am a host, producer and content creator.
I have an initiative called The Shine Begho Initiative for Pre-eclampsia/Eclampsia awareness.
In 2016 I was diagnosed with Pre-eclampsia during my first pregnancy and spent close to 4 months in the hospital.
basically, I had severe pre-eclampsia which could lead to my death and that of my unborn son.
Long story short, sometime in April 2016, I was told I had less than 24 hours to live if I don’t take the baby out.
After the ordeal, I survived but my son did not. He died 11 days after due to the pre-eclampsia pressure.
So, now I’m dedicating my time and my voice to support and save other women and their unborn children.
If a woman fails to take quick action on pre-eclampsia, it could kill her and her unborn child.
Unfortunately, in some cases, the child is pre-term.
There is no known cure for pre-eclampsia. A woman with this condition can only manage it.
Diagnosis For Pre-eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia can be detected when a woman goes for Ante-natal. This is why the initiative is not only to preach the word about pre-eclampsia. Furthermore, it emphasises how Ante-natal care is important and urges women never to miss an appointment.
The initiative is building momentum, with other women joining the course.
Below is a short Bio of the women and their experiences with pre-eclampsia.
Tolulope Adeleru-Balogun
She is a journalist and media personality.
Currently, she is Head of Programmes for News Central, a pan-African news station. She’s responsible for leading various teams to actualise the company’s mission and vision.
“I didn’t know how dangerous pre-eclampsia could be.
“It was when my doctor put me on bedrest and the hospital was calling me every day to monitor my blood pressure that I decided to read up on it.
It had snuck up on me and I knew it could sneak up on others.
I was lucky, other women may not be so lucky, which is why I’m taking part in this drive to raise awareness.
Jayne Itsewoli Opute
Current Centre Manager for First Festival Mall, trading as Festival Mall.
The mall is located at Amuwo Odofin axis of Lagos State.
“I hold an executive master’s degree from Obafemi Awolowo University.
“I love what I do, which is; managing malls.
“It gives me the opportunity to interact with different people from different backgrounds and professions.
“A lot of behind the scenes goes into managing a shopping mall.
“I also love photography (taking pictures, and being in pictures), cooking and wigs.
“I remember the 1st time I heard of pre-eclampsia. It was just a word to me during my 1st pregnancy.
“I didn’t even read up on it because by the next antenatal the initial traces of protein in my urine had disappeared.
“So my doctor said not to worry. I did just that.
A Fatal Case
“However, the next time I heard that word, I felt my world crashing down.
“My younger sister had it and it was fatal.
In fact the 1st consultant I spoke with told me outright: “Tell her to terminate that pregnancy if she wants to live. She is a young girl and she can start all over. I couldn’t bring myself to give her that news.
“A rush of mixed feelings that I couldn’t explain.
“Then I now remembered my early conversations of her pregnancy telling her you need to register for antenatal early, blah blah.
“In fact, a million and one emotions flowed through my head.
“Summary: The mother made it and the baby didn’t. It was a lot of emotional and physical activities for me, being her sister, not to mention the person going through the whole ordeal.
If I can help another woman or sister so they don’t go through this experience or ordeal, I will in the best possible way I can.
If lending a voice or a campaign will do so, by all means bring it on!! I am ready.
Omotunde Adebowale-David
She is a lawyer, a seasoned and award winning broadcaster with over 20 year experience. Also, she is an actor and a mother of 4 champions.
Have You Read:
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- #Mothersday: 7 Nigerian Mums share their motherhood stories
Their are many ailments that plaque women that are not giving enough voice and pre-eclampsia is one of them.
Unfortunately, so many women suffer it.
It is very necessary to remove the stigma and talk about it so women can feel supported.
Shine Begho Usanga
Shine is a seasoned broadcaster with over 15 years experience in the media (Radio and Television). A mother of 1 but could have been 2.
In 2016 Shine Begho was Diagnosed with Pre-eclampsia which almost took her life. It was so severe that even though she survived, he son didn’t. He died 11 days after birth.
Since then, Shine has been working on how she can help women keep pre-eclampsia away. She helps them avoid passing through all she passed through.
This desire brought about the Shine Begho initiative.
It is an initiative dedicated to Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia awareness.
Pre-eclampsia Awareness
The month of May is pre-eclampsia month and May 22nd is pre-eclampsia day.
Shine Begho initiative is bringing mothers together to lend their voices about this silent killer and raising funds for free antenatal care for women who can’t afford it, since antenatal care is the first step to getting diagnosed for pre-eclampsia.
The Shine Begho Initiative is also raising funds for free ante-natal care for women who can’t afford it.
“We believe this is the first step to saving the lives of a mother and her child,” she added. .
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