Reality TV star and actress Bamike Olawunmi, better known as Bambam, has opened up about her traumatic childbirth experience.
What should have been a joyful occasion nearly ended in tragedy.
Speaking on the Me & My Girls podcast, Bambam recalled the life-threatening complications she faced while giving birth to her first child, Zendaya, in 2020. She and her husband, Teddy A, welcomed their daughter just a year after their wedding. However, the delivery process quickly became a nightmare.
Severe health complications
During labor, Bambam’s body started shutting down. Her kidney failed, her heart weakened, and her liver stopped functioning properly. The situation escalated rapidly, putting both her life and her baby’s in serious danger.
“A lot of stillbirths happen because of negligence,” she stated. “Sometimes the doctor is not competent. Other times, the nurse fails to act on time. In some cases, families arrive at the hospital too late.”
She explained that her daughter, Zendaya, had detached from the placenta before birth. This condition, known as placental abruption, can cut off the baby’s oxygen supply and lead to stillbirth. The actress recalled how dangerously close she came to losing her child.
“She had already detached from the placenta,” she said. “If I had been just a second late, she would have lost oxygen. I could have had a stillbirth. That thought haunts me.”
The emotional toll
The near-death experience left Bambam deeply shaken. The fear of losing her child stayed with her long after the delivery.
“Every time I look at her, I think, ‘What if?’ Those thoughts haunted me,” she confessed. “Even now, just remembering it makes me anxious.”
The trauma affected her mental health. She revealed that she struggled with overwhelming fear and anxiety, which made it difficult for her to move forward. Eventually, she sought therapy to help her heal and focus on gratitude instead of fear.
“I had to get therapy to walk me through being grateful,” she admitted.
A call for better maternal care
Bambam’s experience highlights the risks many women face during childbirth. She emphasized the need for proper medical care and early intervention to prevent tragic outcomes.
Her story sheds light on the importance of competent healthcare professionals and the dangers of medical negligence. Many stillbirths, she noted, could be prevented with better medical attention.
By sharing her experience, Bambam hopes to raise awareness about maternal health. Her courage in speaking out serves as a reminder of the strength mothers show in bringing life into the world.
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