PREGNANCY AFTER STROKE

[chynadoll29]

I AM A 29 YEAR OLD STROKE SURVIVOR I HAVE LEFT SIDED WEAKNESS NO USE OF MY LEFT ARM AT ALL.I HAVE NO CHILDREN AND I'M WONDERING WHEN AND IF IT WILL EVER BE OK TO THINK ABOUT HAVING THEM AND WHAT STEPS WILL I NEED TO TAKE

[shellrbrown415]

I survived a stroke 2 and a half years ago at age 32, no cause discovered. I had 2 healthy pregnancies prior and have 2 precious daughters.  I would also like to become pregnant, as my only "career goal" in my life was to mother and raise 3 or 4 children.  I very much enjoyed being pregnant and don't really want to consider adoption.  I can't seem to get any of my doctors to say if I it would be okay or not...they only say I would be at more risk, simply because I have already had a stroke.  I would love to hear from some others that have gone through pregnancy after stroke.

[shellrbrown415]

Hi there!  I too am a young stroke survivor with left side weakness.  The arm and hand are very frustrating, aren't they?  Thankfully,I had my 2 daughters before my stroke, but my youngest was only 13 months when it happened.  It took awhile for her to get used to me, but with some practice I eventually was able to change diapers, bathe the girls, and now 2 1/2 years later with some more progress under my belt, I can carry my 3 year-old to bed or short distances if I need to.  The most frustrating thing to me is that I can't fix their hair.  I would like to have 1 more baby - I'm sure it would be more difficult than the first 2, but I think I could figure it out.  I think you would be able to find ways to care & adapt for your child.  And your baby would know that you are it's mommy.  Now, whether it's safe to become pregnant...I am having a hard time getting answers myself.

[phsw181]

I had trauma induced stroke 2 years ago.  My baby was 3 months old when it happened.  I am very blessed in that my weakness is very minimal and doesn't effect my daily functions unless I don't get enough rest.  I talked with my neurologist and my ob/gyn who both agreed I could become pregnant again.  Their only stipulation was that I had to have a C-section.  They did not want any strain on my neck.  My stroke was due to a trip to the chiropractor who dissected both of my vertebral arteries resulting in a brain stem stroke.  I am now 9 weeks pregnant again and very nervous about it.  I drink lots of water to keep my veins and arteries plump.  Both doctors assured me that I should do just fine.  I'll feel better when it's all over.  It was such a traumatic thing for me until I now suffer from anxiety attacks.  So of course I worry about everything.  Hope this helps.

[FLCricket]

As you've probably read on this site, Pregnancy IS a risk factor for Stroke!  Thus, as survivors we must consider ourselves high risk pregnancies, and our best bet for honest answers to these questions would be to seek them from a specialist, ie, High Risk Obstetrician.  I have also found that my PCP and regular OB/Gyn dodge this subject with vague answers that don't say yes or no with any particular explanation.  I've since scheduled a visit with a High Risk Ob to address these issues for myself.  However, sharing my doctors answers to me will not be the answer for you.  Each case is individualized.  We all had strokes or TIA's for different reasons, our ages differ, our medical histories differ, and so forth.  The old adage stands, you must compare apples with apples.  And when it comes to stroke, heart disease, etc... there is NO such thing.

Best of luck to you all!  Wish me luck, for at 40 I have been blessed with a (younger, woohoo!) man who loves me with my diminished abilities (I am NOT disabled, just dysfunctional, GRIN) and wants to marry me and have children together, if possible, our own.  A far cry from the man I initially married as a medical student and who then left me when I had my strokes at 30.  God works in such mysterious ways!

Sincerely,
FLCricket in Tampa Bay

[stacimay]

I wanted to say that I am also a stroke survivor. I was 27 years old and after two opinions, it was felt that I was the unlucky one percent to suffer a side effect of birth control pills. (I doubled up on the day I had the stroke & was getting headaches for about a year). I was able to use my left leg again but it took about 6 months to walk a block without getting exhusted. Today it feels fine but does get tired easliy when walking longer distances. The right side of my body has numbness(shoulder to tip of foot). Right now it kinda feels like a sunburn feeling. My Gyn sent me to a specialist when I informed her I wanted to have children.  The specialist had so much lab work done on me. After all that, she told me that of course I am an increased risk (about 18%). I was put on folic acid about one yr before my pregnancy. I am currently 3 months pregnant & I haven't felt better (minus the morning sickness!).
I do have to give myself a needle every day in my tummy (blood thinner),take a baby asprin every day, have ultrasounds almost every two weeks & more check ups than someone else, but it is worth it. I hope this provides some info.

[huera1]

hello, I'm am 28 years old and I had a fetal death at 10 weeks in August of 2006 and in December 2006, I was rushed to the emergency because I had a ''mini stoke '' or as doctors call it a (TIA). They did all kinds of labs and genectic testing and there was no known cause for the TIA or stoke. they did put me on Plavix a blood thinner that I have to take once a day I'm guessing for life and also taking Folic Acid. Here I am 6 months later and want to get pregnant again. I've been to my OBGYN and Neurologist and don't give me a straight answer on whether it would be save or not. All they tell me is I will be a high risk pregnancy. I read so many articles on the web.and I sometimes get scrared at what they say. All I really want is to have a baby and be a mother. Ha any one been in my situation before and if so what has been the outcome, please help!

[nervouslady]

I had a stroke at 24 years old, no cause known, had some double vision which corrected itself after a couple months.  They did find a clot in a leg vein, and a hole in my heart( a very small hole, which was closed via open heart surgery, and figured the clot broke loose and traveled through the hole to reach my brain) but they don't know why I had the leg clot.  I am now 32, and would like to get preggers, but am *scared* because the whole stroke thing was terribly scary and i go out of my way to avoid anything that might up my chances of it happening again.  I got the green light to get pregnant from my cariologist, and from my neurologist, now I am going to meet with a high risk OB/GYN to see what they say about it all.  What they tell me is that 'it's okay, because that hole in your heart is closed, so if you do throw another clot, it won't go to your brain' but...what I think is, 'yeah, it will go to my lungs, which can KILL you - why is that any better?!?!'  Perhaps there is something I don't get.  They also say, because it's been 8 years, and I haven't suffered any other strokes, I should be okay.  I'm still nervous, though.   I guess I want someone to promise I won't have another stroke, but I guess that's just not going to happen, LOL.

I guess that's my long answer for you - no one knows if/when any of us will suffer another stroke or not, especially if the cause of the initial stroke was unknown.
Sorry to hear there are others like you who have experienced this at such a young age.  I, too, suffered panic attacks for a few years as a result, I understand what that's like.

[nervouslady]

I should add that I was not Rxed any blood thinners after my stroke because the cause was unknown and they told me that, because I was so young, the risk of hemmorage from taking thinners long-term was higher than having another stroke.  so I haven't been on any medication since.  I wonder if they'd want to put me on a thinner during pregnancy, too.  I also wonder what they do when you are full term - you wouldn't want to be on thinners when you deliver, I'm guessing...

???

[fancygirl04]

I had a major stroke at age 8 (almost 9), yea I know, unheard of.  The doctors were quite baffled, don't know why it happened.  It was my right cerebral artery causing left side paralysis.  I'm now 20 years old and have had no problems since, but have only a slight limp and weakness of that side.  I'm getting married in March, and want to start a family in the next couple of years.  I haven't gone to my gyn or talked to anyone about my concerns yet.  I just wanted to hear from you guys what I can expect.  I'm kind of scared about what I'm going to be told from doctors, as one of my biggest goals is to be a fantastic wife and mommy.  

[MonkeeGal]

Finding this forum made me so happy. I have suffered from 3 strokes at ages 22, 24 and 26.  My last stroke I had while I was on Coumadin so I am now on Fragmin. I had residual side effects from all my strokes and feel different ones when I get tired but overall I'm functioning like normal. I take Fragmin now everyday and just recently started thinking about pregnancy.  I'm going to a high risk clinic to get more informaiton but am so happy to hear of other people who have experienced what I have.  I have yet to be able to find a support group even for young women stroke survivors.
I can be reached at ***@**** if anyone would ever like to talk- I know I need it from time to time-those days where you just wish things were normal for you .
Good luck and blessings with everyone.

[RedheadKelly]

I, also, had a stroke when I was young...7 years old. My doctors, too, were baffled. They didn't know what to do or what to think. So, my life at times, I feel like a guinea pig- trying, accomodating, and adapting over and over.
I recently got married and I am pregnant. I saw the doctor for the first time and told her my story. She was amazed at the story but was not alarmed. She said because I had my stroke over 20 years ago, not to worry about the pregnancy or the delivery. We will keep an eye on it but I'm not high risk by any means.
We'll see how it goes as the pregnancy progresses.

[candc1221]

I was 29 when I had my stroke during brain surgery.  My left hand/arm is still not functional and i have bad balance. I am nervous about getting pregnant and not being able to physically take care of the baby.  Is there any books out there that have some tips/suggestions on how to hold a baby, burp a baby, change diapers with one hand?  thanks for your help! take care.

[C.F.]

How was your delivery?  did everything go ok?  Did you have to use a blood thinner during pregnancy?  My neurologist and ob/gyn said that they would use forceps over c-section.  I had a stroke 2 weeks post-partum...both of my carotid arteries were dissected and now are both occluded.  I really want to have another baby.  

[Rachel1009]

Hello! After you had your 1st stroke, were you put on any kind of preventative medication to prevent it from happening again? Did the medicine not work? Or were you not on any? I am soooooooo scared of having another one. I had one less than 2 months ago. I didn't have any residual problems from it whatsoever, but I'm just scared of it happening again and being worse. I already have one daughter that was pre-sroke, but would definitely love to have more since I'm only 25. But I'm so scared of having another stroke that I may have my husband get a vasectomy. I don't know what to do. I'm just terrified of it happening again and having problems that will make me unable to be the mom I am now for my 2 year old girl. Since it happened less than 2 months ago they're still trying to find the cause. Nothing yet! I'm on plavix and aspirin which I'm not excited about. I just don't want to have another stroke or anything worse. Thanks!

[Laiching]

I'm only 35 was 32 when I had a serious brain stem stroke.  I can walk (assisted), talk and pretty much do things myself.  My physiotherapist said I'm lucky to be alive.  I too would like to get pregnant I had one miscarriage and am deathly afraid of getting pregnant.  My family doctor doesn't think I should.  I'm afraid of having another stroke, dying or worse becoming an invalid.  I just don't think it's worth it even though I desperately want to be a mom the idea of not being one breaks my heart.  I wonder if I should just do it.

[Laiching]

did you have the baby?  I think I'm just going to bite the bullet and go ahead and have a baby even though I'm scared.  I'm not the only young stroke survivor

[Laiching]

Did you have the baby?  I'm so scared to get pregnant again

[trissybob]

Have any of you research the huge benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen for post stroke recovery?  This is an amazing therapy that is hidden for
the recovery of motor skills after stroke

[C.F.]

I surrvived a stroke almost 6yrs. ago...2 weeks after my son was born, I was 29 at the time.  I am now 35 and about 3mos. pregnant.  It was not an easy decision, but I have been stable all this time and the docs said that I should be fine.  There is one other person who I write to who had 2 more babies after having her stroke.  It definitely helps to have to her to talk to....It's not an easy decision!

[Laiching]

What's her e-mail?  Can I contact her?  My e-mail is ***@****.  I'm so nervous about being pregnant

[Laiching]

My e-mail doesn't show up just tell her to post and tell her story

[Laiching]

I'm going to try to post my e-mail again

nlung8

at symbol

gmail

dot com

[Laiching]

I'm going to have kids.  I saw a high risk OB/GYN he says the risk is minimal.  He has 20 years experience with pregnant post stroke women and no one has ever died or even had another stroke.  So since my neurologist says it's okay and the OB/GYN says it's okay I will get pregnant.  All I can do is breathe a sigh of relief.  I really wanted to be a mom and be parents with my husband

[RedheadKelly]

Good for you. I am 30 and had a stroke at age 7. I'm 6 1/2 months pregnant and things are going great. My ob/gyn is not worried at all.

After I have my baby, I'll just learn to adapt the daily tasks of parenting...no worries...that's what I've been doing all along.

[tkoala2]

I found the love of my life 9 months ago this coming month. I was also a young massive stroke survior at age 15 playing softball.  I am now 28 and have no children of my own.  I work at a daycare teaching 12 through 24 month olds. I am doing all the routine care during work such as diapering, washing hands, etc...   We want to have one or two of my own someday but I'm nervous of what the OB/GYN will say. He has one from his former wife.  I will have one of my own but what are the  consequences?  I want my baby to be healthy and thats all I am concerned about.  Can anybody help us?

[Laiching]

My OB/GYN says it's okay to have kids.  I'm 35 years old.  Had a stroke when I was 31.  Pretty major one.  A brain stem stroke.  It could have easily killed me but here I am.

My OB/GYN says I can have kids I just have to be monitored .  He says he's been doing this for 20 years and no one has ever died or had another stroke.

I have to take a daily needle of heparin in my belly or my butt to keep my blood thin.

[C.F.]

I had a major stroke when I was 29....2 weeks after I gave birth.  After alot of waiting and debating, I am now pregnant at the age of 35.  My docs say I should be fine.

I give myself 2 shots of lovenox 2xday, and hopefully everything should go fine.  Good luck!

[Sue100]

I had a stroke 9 months ago at the age of 32 however my stroke was not a clot but a bleed to the brain - hemorrhagic stoke.  I was very lucky to have only had eye sight problems and hope to make a very good recovery in time.  Doctors have no idea why it happened or if it will happen again. I have a 19month old little girl already and understand that if I am at a risk of another stroke I would not have another child or maybe it could happen again and then my kids would not have a mum or worse still I would need to be cared for.  Has anyone had this type of stroke and also had a child?

I admire all of you and your courage to have children with having a stroke as I am sure it is a hard decision to make that could and can change your life for better or worse.

All the best

[FallenAngel83]

I am 24 years old and I survived a major ischemic stroke 2 years ago. I just, the other day, took a test (and several since!) and they have all been  positive. I have been VERY healthy and am in a wonderful relationship with my soon to be husband. After telling my mother, she told me I have no option to keep it as my neurologist said (2 years ago) that it would be suicide. It is so wonderful to hear of other people in this situation have gone through a full term pregnancy with no problems.
I hope my outcome can be the same. As I am sure you ALL understand I am TERRIFIED!!! And the lack of support from my family makes it that much harder. I hope here I can find some support for my soon-to-be husband and I. Granted, he is terrified as well. We decided LONG ago that if the risk is to great we will weigh our options, as he has a daughter from a previous relationship who I am helping raise, for one thing.
I have a lot of choices to make. Can anyone help me figure out what makes a good high risk ob/gyn?

[FallenAngel83]

If your doctor feels that your risk is that high, by all means listen to him/her! Is it worth having a child if you aren't there to take joy in it? To raise it? Adoption is always an option! You love them JUST as much, I have a 3 year old step-daughter and could not love her ANY more if I had given birth to her.

[Laiching]

Hi,

I want to give birth.  Adoption is not really an option. I want biological children.  The high risk OB/GYN says I don't have a blood clotting disorder he's just treating me like I have one.  When I went to the hospital there were women pregnant worse off than me.  Some in motorized wheelchairs.  I walk with a 4 point cane.  The  OB/GYN  says just call me when you are pregnant.

[Laiching]

Hi,

Please let me clarify

I was never told I was a high risk

He's just a high risk OB/GYN

If I was high risk I wouldn't have kids

[FallenAngel83]

I totally understand how you feel about wanting biological children! I feel the same, as much as I love my step-daughter I want one of my own as well. I don't have a clotting disorder either, so I wish the best of luck to us both.

[Laiching]

Hi,

Get a second opinion

Just b/c he/she is a doctor doesn't mean they know everything

My family doctor was scared for me but the OB/GYN said I'd be okay

So it shows opinions differ

[Laiching]

just e-mail me

[Laiching]

My heparin is called Lovenox too

[monica_swin]

I am 36y/o, survived a stroke 2yrs ago when my daughter was 18mos old....stroke most likely due to birth control pills...like most of you, some of my docs say no, others say no problem...the high risk OB says to just take Lovenox. So, how expensive is two shots of Lovenox/day for 10months? Also, you can't get an epidural if you're on blood thinners...it could cause a stroke :( !! So hard to decide what to do....has anyone taken Plavix througout a pregnancy?

[Laiching]

Hi,

I'm about 5 months pregnant with a girl

I see a high risk OB/GYN about once a month

Only my family doctor warned me about getting pregnant

My neurologist and my OB/GYN says it's okay to get pregnant

They will take me off blood thinners a week before I'm due.  I guess they don't want my blood to be thin

[Laiching]

Right now I take a needle of Lovenox (heparin) in my belly once a day

I drink 3 litres of water a day

[Laiching]

My heparin is about $300 CDN a month.  My husband's drug plan covers it.  I have to be on it for 11 months.  So $300 * 11 =$3300 but all pharmacies charge different so it may be more or less than $300/month CDN,

[Laiching]

2 shots of Lovenox would be double that amount.  I take 1 shot of Lovenox a day

About my delivery.  My doctors say they will induce labour a week early and give me an epidural.  I'm part of a special pregnancy program so you can have an epidural

My OB/GYN has been doing this for 20 years so I trust him when he says I can have an epidural

[Laiching]

I'm going off Lovenox a week before labour too.  So I won't be on blood thinners

[tmamma]

Hi All -

Im new to this forum...I'm 29 and just had a stroke on June 17th. My daughter was 8 months old at the time. I do also want 1 more child. I know that now one can 100% tell us that we wont have another stroke with or without being pregnant. Only time will tell....No one knows why my stroke happened. Doc's did find a PFO (hole in the heart) and that was closed. I just wish I hade more answers....

[justinmom]

I had a severe stroke in 2000 and got pregnant 3 months after. I had to have heparin injections every day and a c-section one month early. My son just turned 7 in October and all is well with both of us. I was told to have an abortion by my doctor but I refused and changed to a doctor that specializes in high risk pregnancy. she reassured me that we would be fine. Just find yourself a really good doctor. Good luck.

[Laiching]

well, I'm 36 weeks pregnant.  I take a needle of Lovenox (heparin) that my husband gives me in the stomach when all is said and done I'll probably be on Lovenox for 7 months.  Lovenox is a blood thinner I don't have a blood clotting disorder the doctors are just treating like I do.  At 39 weeks I will be induced and the baby will be pulled out using a vaccum  The doctors want to go off Lovenox for a week before the induction.  I drink alot of fluids to keep my veins plump.  A combo of milk and water about 3 litres a day.  I can still walk so I do at least 30 minutes of exercise a day to keep the blood moving.  I do some cardio, some weights, prenatal yoga.

[treasuredmom]

     I had a Pontine Stroke, in my brain stem, which basically means a vessel burst and caused an Anurism, in 2004, and I was over 6 months pregnant at the time, and already had a 12 month old daughter. I was 22 at the time. I was on life support for 10 days, and spent 2 months in hospitals. Short of a miracle, I carried my daughter full term, and she was delivered by c-section, and weighed over 8 pounds, and was perfect( she still is:) I recovered after learning how to swallow/eat, walk, use my left hand, etc. again. I  also had eye surgery to somewhat correct my double vision. My daughters are now 5 and 4, and I'm 26 years of age, and I just found out that I'm pregnant. Doctors could never give me an explanation as to why I had the Stroke, and I have been given countless opinions about getting pregnant again. Of course I'm nervous, but I'm going to take it day by day, and hopefully everything will work out.

     Has anyone had a Stroke during pregnancy, and then had a healthy pregnancy/baby afterward?

[Laiching]

I must add that I'm on an extremely low dose of Lovenox (heparin).  My hematologist said it's like not being on Lovenox (heparin) at all

[Laiching]

I'm going off Lovenox 24 hours before my delivery not a week

[Laiching]

On January 31st (Saturday) I gave birth to a healthy baby girl.  I was 39.5 weeks pregnant and was to be induced with a gel that afternoon but I guess my baby had other plans.  My water broke at 1am I got to the hospital at 1:30am (yes we live far) and the doctors confirmed I was in active labour and at 1:30pm she was born so I guess it was a 12 hour labour.  The baby weighed 6 lbs and 6oz which is good considering she was pulled out of my vagina with forceps.  I had a small episiotomy where doctors make a cut from your vagina to your rectum to insert the forceps.  My episiotomy required 5 stitches but I would do it all over again.

[Earthgirl74]

I am 34 years old and thinking about getting pregnant (I have no children).  I suffered a stroke 4 years ago and a TIA 10 months ago.  After the first stroke, they told me that it was likely a result of birth control.  The TIA occurred while I was off the birth control and while taking aspirin daily.  I am now taking Plavix daily and no one seems to be able to tell me why this keeps happening.  I just stumbled upon this site and cried while reading all of your comments.  I cannot believe that I have been going through all this alone (I have a great husband and family but no one seems to really understand what I am going through) not knowing that there were some many women going through the same experieinces.  I'm 34yr and am thinking about having a child but I am scared out of my mind and my doctor doesn't seem to be that confident in her course of treament.  Her suggestion - two months before trying to get pregnant, go off the plavix and start on the Heparin shots that will continue until 6weeks after giving brith.  What if it takes me a year to get pregnant - that's a year of shots for nothing?  Does giving yourself an injection everyday ever get easy?  I just can't imagine doing this.  Maybe it means I'm not ready.    

[Laiching]

Heparin shots don't get easy.  You have to grab skin around your abdomen then puncture yourself.   It isn't cheap either it's about $300 CDN for a month of needles.  I couldn't puncture myself with heparin needles my husband had to do it sometimes I would jump and the injection site hurt for about 5 minutes after.  Let's say my husband and I are both glad I'm off the shots.  It's been 9 weeks since I gave birth

[bethmsw]

I am 29 years old and had b/g twins on April 26, 08 a month later I had a stroke.  I don't have any residual effects from it and the doctors have not been able to figure out why I had it.  It was not a TIA.  I am 5 months pregnant again.  I had been on Plavix until about 2 months into pregnancy then switched to asprin.  Docs will switch me back to plavix in the third trimester.  I am very afraid but after seeing Neurologists at University of Chicago and also high risk ob gyn I have been told my risk is no greater than the risk of anyone my age having a stroke.  This was not a planned pregnancy, there are few birth control options after a stroke!  This pregnancy has been fine except my blood pressure is slightly elevated.  I am really nervous though, glad to know there are other women to talk to.

[lildancer770]

Hi,
I had a stroke 6 months ago and it was scary!  My doctor thinks it was a dissection in my middle cerebral artery.  I still have some residual weakness in my right side and I still have some trouble speaking. I hope that I will continue to recover.  I have two kids and they are beautiful, but I want more!  Everyday I want one but then I don't because it's so scary.  This group is very encouraging.  I would like to hear more from moms who have had babies after stroke.

[Jlynnlee]

When I was 20 I had a DVT and was put on Coumadin and told I should never become pregnant. Last october I found out I was pregnant and was immediately put on Lovenox injections 2x a day and aspirin. The month before my due date I was switched to Heparin injections in preparation of the birth. During that week I experienced Heparin induced thrombocytopenia. This caused me to have an induction (which failed I might add) a month early. The day after my son was born I suffered a stroke but my symptoms mimicked those of a leaked epidural more than a stroke so that's what I was treated for. I was released from the hospital 4 days later only to have to be put back in 8 days after that when it was discovered that I had a stroke and that a spinal leak was not causing the headache they had fed me pain pills for for almost 2 weeks. I was told never to get pregnant again that there was no way I could survive it. It hurts because I wanted a large family but I just can't risk it.

[starjazz13]

I feel last spring and had a CT scan where they found I had an old stroke. I am now 12 weeks pregnant and scared. I had no side effects fromt he first stroke. It is great to hear all the happy endings

[Tina22]

Hello, I had a stroke at age 28, I rode a rollercoaster and complained of neck pain immediately after, headaches immediately, and my dr. said they were "tension" headaches and dismissed my rollercoaster theory. I had a stroke, they saw that my artery looked "slightly" torn, and even after seeing that it could be a dissection of the artery they still dismissed my rollercoaster ride and said it could have been the birth control pill, or it was just unexplainable.

A year later, my ob/gyn made me go to a neurologist to get clearance to have babies and to find out whether I as high risk. My blood pressure has always been very good. I got clearance and have since had 3 healthy normal babies with no sort of "high risk" associated with them, other than delivering one after I turned 35.

My story might be different, but in my opinion, I had a torn artery, it was healing, and a clot probably got loose and caused the stroke, and it all healed up nicely after. Thats not to say I didn't have problems to deal with, but only the residual effects of the weakness and dizziness etc.