Strand woman realises her dream of motherhood after medical challenges

“I just wished to be called Mom.”

These are the words of Nunrai Mourembezi from Strand, who had always dreamed of becoming a mother. Clinically, when compared to cases, there has not been widely documented in published medical literature.

Thanks to the medical team at Tygerberg Hospital, this became a reality after years of hoping to be called Mom, with the help of retired surgeons and others.

Mourembezi had experienced complications and underwent several surgical procedures to treat pregnancy loss, and in 2024, a multidisciplinary team began working together to make her dream come true.

Esethu Madlwabinga, Communication Officer at the Department of Health and Wellness, explained that Mourembezi, 34, gave birth to a healthy baby girl on December 9.

“After several years of hope, Nunrai Mourembezi (34) from Strand gave birth to a healthy baby girl at Tygerberg Hospital. The delivery followed coordinated specialist care,” Madlwabinga added.

“Mourembezi experienced complications during an earlier pregnancy that would have lasting effects on her health. In the years that followed, she underwent three unsuccessful surgical procedures and experienced pregnancy losses between three and five months, related to earlier complications.

"She continued to express a desire to have a child. In 2024, she met with a multidisciplinary team at Tygerberg Hospital, including specialists in Urology, Urogynaecology, and Maternal Medicine, who developed a patient-centred care plan to help her.”

Madlwabinga detailed that two procedures were undertaken:Urinary diversion with an ileal conduit, led by Dr Pieter Spies and Dr Hesma van Heerden (Urology), creating an alternative urinary pathway using a segment of bowel. Transabdominal cerclage, performed by Professor Hall (Obstetrics and Gynaecology), involves a permanent stitch around the cervix to support pregnancy.

Professor Hall, who retired in November 2023 after more than 30 years’ experience with transabdominal cerclage, attended Mourembezi’s planned caesarean delivery, Madlwabinga explained.

To the clinical team’s knowledge, comparable cases have not been widely documented in published medical literature.“Mourembezi’s case highlights the extraordinary outcomes possible when care is truly patient-centred,” said Dr Judith Kluge, Urogynecology Fellow at Tygerberg Hospital.

“Her resilience was remarkable. Throughout every discussion, her wish never changed; she wanted to be called ‘Mom’. Our responsibility was to listen carefully, provide honest counsel, and support her with compassion and clinical excellence.”

Reflecting on her long journey,  Mourembezi said simply: “I just wished to be called Mom.” On 9 December 2025, that wish became a reality.

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness wishes Mourembezi well as she begins her new journey as a mother, Madlwabinga said.

She said the outcome reflects the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness’ ongoing focus on maternal and child health through its First 1 000 Days approach, which emphasises early intervention, continuity of care, and coordinated services to support the health and wellbeing of mothers and babies during pregnancy and the critical early years of life.

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