Former Miss South Africa Melinda Bam has opened up about the premature birth of her daughter, Rein, who was born at just 31 weeks’ gestation, describing the terrifying moments that marked her first weeks of life.
Last year, during a routine scan, Melinda and her husband, Adriaan Bergh, had been told that their daughter was a little smaller than expected but there was nothing to be concerned about. However, they were enjoying an anniversary holiday in November 2024 when, just days after their return home, doctors told them that their baby girl wasn’t growing properly and Melinda’s placenta was no longer providing their unborn baby with enough nutrients and blood flow. Melinda had to be admitted to hospital immediately.
Already parents to a baby boy, Ruach, born in April 2023, the couple were about to face the unexpected challenge of welcoming their second child far earlier than planned.
Only a short time after being admitted to the hospital, on 22 November, their daughter Rein Talia was born weighing 1.1kg (2.4lbs) at just 31 weeks.
“She was born the most beautiful little girl”, Adriaan said. “So small, yet so perfect”.
The joy of her arrival was quickly replaced with concern as Rein was immediately rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), her tiny body connected to pipes and cables.
“No parent wants to see that,” Adriaan said.
“It can turn from everything is fine, to suddenly crashing at any moment”
Melinda recalled being overwhelmed by her daughter’s fragility, “she was supposed to be in my tummy for two more months,” she said.
“My two hands were so big for her small body. I was so shocked when I saw her because you see every vein and how thin her skin was. You could still see the outline of her ribs and how worn down her little face was, and how extremely vulnerable she was”.
At one point during kangaroo care, a skin-to-skin contact method used to support premature babies, Rein stopped breathing in her mother’s arms.
“It felt like I saw my baby dying in front of my eyes,” Melinda said.
“It can turn from everything is fine, to suddenly crashing at any moment. It’s the scariest thing to go through”.
For 66 days, Melinda and Adriaan waited as their daughter faced tests, scans and X-rays. Finally, they received the news that Rein was strong enough to come home.
“The day we found out we could go home was just a massive, joyful victory for us,” Melinda said.
The couple expressed deep gratitude to the medical team at Mediclinic Kloof Hospital in Pretoria, describing them as “angels in blue uniforms”.
“You cared for her in ways unimaginable to us and were our rock during this critical time,” Melinda wrote in a message of thanks. “Your care made the difference”.
Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said “It’s heartwarming to hear about little Rein Talia overcoming so many medical challenges and finally making it home”.
“Stories like these testify to the amazing advances in medicine that have made it possible for children like her to survive, thrive, and bring joy to their families”.
