Does stroke happen to anyone in pregnancy?

[bigworrier25]

i am 25, want a baby in 3 years but seriously terrified!!!! i get heart palpitations/anxiety attacks everytime future husband talks about kids and worse thing is i want them too! but i keep thinking i will have a stroke and die.

I was born at 24 weeks premature...had couple issues as a infant/kid but as far as i know im perfectly healthy, which i consider myself very lucky since most preemies end up with alot of health issues. I worry that my blood is altered because i had transfusions as infant so my blood will have a clotting disorder and i do not know yet..until i get pregnant then that clot will go to my brain and i will have stroke and die.

I was fine couple years ago...could not wait to have kids but ever since i did research..and saw "Robyn Benson" and couple other young women die of stroke during pregancy...I think it will happen to me. Granted..i do not know there health history..and one of the young girls that was a victim of stroke was thought by docs could have been allergic reaction to pills given for headache she was given. I still think the worse regardless!!!'n

and now..i think i have impending stroke because my ears ring...and sometimes can hear my heart beat when laying down in ears..so im like great the arteries are hardening around ears then when im a PREGNANT...Boom!! stroke

see ...,im scared and dunno how to relax

ps. im 5'5.5 and 145-150 pounds..BMI is 23-24, blood pressure normal

[smcdsmcd]

It's true as posted above that clots, when they happen,  mostly occur in the lower extremities.  However, the risk with these is that they can break off and travel to more dangerous parts of the body.

[smcdsmcd]

Pregnancy is a "hypercoaguable" state meaning you are more likely to form blood clots than a normal person.  It has to do with the increase in blood volume and hormones.  Talk to your doctor about your anxiety and incidence of blood clots in pregnancy.   Although slightly higher than normal, I believe it to be quite low.  The only precaution I take regarding this is to wear compression stockings while taking long or international flights during pregnancy.  I also get up out of my seat and walk every hour.
Make an appointment with your doctor and they can talk u through trying to conceive, do some basic blood work, evaluate any meds your taking, and answer your questions. .. basically getting u ready to be prego! Good luck!

[knufrio]

I too agree that you should see a psychologist/ psychiatrist. My SIL is a diagnosed hypochondriac and is constantly worried about health issues. When she was pregnant she sought help because it was getting to her so bad. Its not good for your pregnancy to be so stressed out so its best to try and take care of it beforehand. Especially necause once you have children you usually transfer your worry to them. The chances of a stroke during pregnancy are slim. If it eases your mind at all though, most of the time if you are going to develop a clot it would be in your lower extremities.

[yarii123]

You need to take a chill pill young lady!!! :) I'm a heathy person and this is my 3rd pregnancy and I have never had a stroke! So just relax!!!! You should be just fine!!!! Change those negative thoughts to positive!!!! And live your life! :) good luck!

[purplediva]

I aggree with Alkali13.pls get seen for your anxiety.It can be overwhelming!!!!( K, RN)

[Star3789]

I think u should jus chill out and not worry so much about that, it is possible of course but very unlikely.  I think you also might need some anxiety meds.  Sertraline is safe to take during pregnancy.

[bigworrier25]

thanks everyone:), I know i need therapy or something but i just wanted to know if any healthy women out there with no issues before pregnancy ..if they had a stroke during/after pregnancy? just so i know how rare or common it is.

ps. before get pregnant, i plan on talking to my doctor and get a whole work up before we TTC (bloodwork, MRI hopefully) just to be sure i am fit enough.,,,,at least i will know i am for sure healthy and nothing should go wrong.

i think everyone should go through alot of testing before pregancy ...so much could happen!

[meganmalie]

I agree with alkali ^^^^ that can be worse than anything, just all the stress your feeling. Besides strokes can happen to anyone at anytime as well as heart attacks and getting hit by a car crossing the street. Sounds like you may need to speak with someone to help you cope with your fears and anxieties since they seem to be overwhelming you.

[Alkali13]

Honestly, it sounds like you have a severe anxiety disorder and need to talk to a psychologist.  I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, so I understand.  The amount of stress you are putting yourself through thinking about these things would be TERRIBLE for pregnancy, so I think getting your anxiety under control would be the first step towards being ready for a healthy pregnancy.