pregnancy after stroke

[C.F.]

I had a stroke when I was 29...2 weeks after I gave birth to my first child.  I had a bilateral carotid dissection.  I am now 33 and am thinking about having another child, but none of my doctors know for sure why I had a stroke in the first place.  Both my ob and neurologist think that I should be fine, but they really have never seen this before.  I keep looking for other opinions....and suggestions?  Anyone out there that had a baby after a stroke?

[who_is_this]

You would probably need the opinion of a perinatologist associated with a large academic medical center.  I don't think you are going to find a lot of research in this area, nor will you find a lot of women who have had the experience you are seeking to hear about.  Perhaps with enough new testing, they may be able to give you more reassurance.

You'll have to weigh the risks and benefits for yourself, and hope for the best.  Get several opinions from doctors associated with large academic centers and have a long talk with your husband about whether you two are willing to take the risk.

[C.F.]

My doctors are the best....Johns Hopkins.  I am looking for anyone that has personal experience.

[pokerguy]

what test did you get to diagnose your stroke? CT or MRI....Sorry just curious.

[mickieja]

I am 32, had a stroke, almost 3 years ago when I was 30 an ischemic stroke right hemishere do to narrow carotid arteries, birth defect.  I have some left side weakness but It is minimal.  I have an eleven week old little girl.  The pregancy was normal until I was almost full term 36weeks 5days then I had a focal seizure. Still running test to see if it was preeclampsia or from the stroke.  I had her vaginally and she is healthy and normal.When I asked my neurologist if I would be able to have children after my stroke he told me to let my body heal and rehab for a couple of years.  I knew it was a big risk but I prayed everyday god just let me make it thru today. She is my little miracle.  I'm not going to push my body for a second one I thank god for this one.

[l.b.m.]

I am 34 and had a stroke during my 25th week of my pregnancy. I had AVMs. I had my first stroke at 25 also by an AVM. I was told by my neurosurgeon it was ok to get pregnant but I don't think any human can predict if its safe to have children if you had a previous stroke.  Now the doctors say its up to me if I want to try again.  They just don't know.  I am in the same boat wanting to know if their are others out their that had an ok pregnancy after a stroke.  I want my child to have a sibling but thoughts of the tough time I had being pregnant and having a stroke makes me also consider a surrogate for my next child.

[C.F.]

I really appreciate all of those that commented. It is a very difficult situation to be in...and don't know what to do!  Those of you pregnant...how's the pregnancy going?

[RFeezor]

I had a stroke from a Left Carotid Dissection when I was 29 too.  I also went to JHU High Risk.  My doctor was Dr. David Nagey (since deceased -- he was the best).  I kept asking him the risk when I got pregnant the next year and he kept telling me "after you we'll have one case!".  I carried my son to 38 weeks with a few episodes of right sided weakness.  At 38 weeks, we all got a bit nervous with the numbness and induced labor, however they did let me have a normal delivery, despite everyone's hesitation about re-dissection.  My neurologist was/is Dr. Steven Kittner at U of MD.  We wondered about the stress of delivery, we had originally planned on a heavy epidural with a passive second stage, but I decided I wanted to do natural childbirth and I did.  Since then, I've also delivered a baby girl at age 35 with no complications.  Now, 10 years after the dissection and stroke, I'm getting back into running and exercise and trying to find a doc who will give me a straight answer about the risks/wisdom of long distance running and lifting weights (not power lifting just normal weights) -- if I've delivered two 10 lb babies vaginally without medication haven't I stress tested my brain already?

[C.F.]

Thank you so much for writing.  How interesting....I know who Dr. Kittner is...he did a stroke study on young women and I am one of them.  My neurologist is the best...Dr. Wityk at Hopkins and people travel all over the country to see him.  I would like to speak with you more at length regarding this if possible.

[RFeezor]

You can reach me off-line -- how do we do that -- I'd like to learn more about your neurologist.  I'm kind of in-between now.  I developed migraines after the stroke so went down to Georgetown to see a migraine specialist down there, but she's moving to Texas - Dr. Kittner is a great doctor, but he's more of a stroke guy vs. migraine & stroke.  I'm just curious about your doctor.  I'm happy to share more info about my pregnancies.  After Dr. Nagey died, my second pregnancy was actually at University of Maryland with Dr. Hugh Mighty, their Directory of OB-Gyn (High Risk) and their mid-wife team working together.  That was kind of fun, but I preferred Hopkins over-all.

[C.F.]

not sure how to get email without doing it over this forum...I'm really curious to talk with you....It's been really difficult.

[RFeezor]

My Email is renata.***@**** you can email me there...

[kprende]

i had a stroke at 29 yrs. i had a left dissection cartotid artery. right now i'm 31 yrs. i want a baby but my right arm and hand isn't working. i can bend my elbow right now. do you have a full movement in your right hand and arm. i worried about taking care of a baby. can you please give me some advice?

[wanttorun]

I had an Ischemic stroke last year affecting my left side. I was an avid tennis player prior to my stroke.  I am now playing a limited form of tennis. And I am very curious as to what the steps were for you to get to the point of running. I am very happy to see that his has been accomplished by a stroke survivor.

[fancygirl04]

I had a major stroke at age 8 (almost 9).  It's not something  I talk about w/ my family a lot, and I certainly didn't understand it at the time.  Neither did my doctors, couldn't figure out what happened.  It was my right cerebral artery I believe that clogged up, resulting in left side paralysis.  Now I'm 20 with a slight limp and weakness of that side.  I'm getting married soon and will be thinking about having children in the next few years.  Honestly I never thought about having problems with pregnancy or childbirth until recently.  My mom mentioned that I might have problems, but she didn't know much about it. Can anyone give me some advice and/or links to information about risks and what to expect?

[kbuchanan]

Is your artery occluded?  I had a stroke a month ago with no resulting deficits .  I dissected my right carotid after over exertion while I ran a race.  My artery is 100% occluded and I have been told that I cannot run again and cannot have more children because your blood clots during pregnancy.  I'm amazed that you are running and were able to have more kids.  Do you work up slowly?  Do you know why you dissected your artery?

[C.F.]

both of my carotid arteries are occluded!  I was told that I would have to take lovenox shots 2 times a day throughout my whole pregnancy and 6 weeks later.  you should see a high risk doctor.

[kbuchanan]

Thanks!  I'm still amazed.  But as my stroke was recent, I haven't even gotten that far to talk to an OB.  I've been told no more kids from the neuros at the hospital.  Did you find out why you had a stroke?  Did you have a problem with your arteries?  That's amazing that you had both occluded.  I'm still in the workup process.  I am so happy I found this website because I thought I was the only one out there with a stroke at 35.  Now I see that this happens to a lot to young women and that life can get back to normal even if it's a new normal.

[C.F.]

My stroke happened at 29!  What kind of stroke did you have?  where are your neurologists?  Are you back to "normal?"

[kbuchanan]

I had a stroke after dissecting my right carotid.  I ran a 5k race earlier in the day and the doc feels that the overexertion during the race dissected my artery.  I had no obvious problems with my arteries (cholesteral or genetic malformations) so that is what he thinks happened -  am in the process  of hematology workups.  I was very fortunate that my husband caught my stroke in time  and I was eligible for the MERCI retriever.  I was so lucky that I did not need OT, PT and speech.  My stroke doc is at Sentara Norfolk General in SE Virginia and obviously he knows what he is doing.  My neuro also is associated with that hospital.  As far as being back to normal - I'm pretty darn close.  i have problems with my concentration and energy level.  My husband and I were trying for baby #3 when this all happened.  I feel right now I should be grateful for the two babies that I have and thankful for my recovery.  I'm scared to chance it and try to have another one unless I know why I had a stroke to begin with.  Have you been successful with your pregnancy?

[beachlove]

I had a stroke when I was 28 eight months after my first child.  It was believed by my neuro. doctor that it was migraine or birthcontrol related.  A year and half later I am pregnant about 4 weeks with my second.  This was a complete surprise and I am really nervous about it.  My OB says that I should be ok and so far everything has been. It is comforting to see some of having babies after a stroke.  I have felt all alone sometimes going through this.

[beachlove]

I had a stroke when I was 28, 8 months after the birth of my first child.  My neuro doctor says that it was a stroke from migraine/ birthcontrol.  A year and later I am pregnant with my 2nd child.  Totally surprised and not ready to be honest.  But God is in control.  It has been comforting to see and read others of you having children (healthy at that) after a stroke.  I have felt alone sometimes going through this.  Thanks for your stories and advice.

[beachlove]

I had a stroke when I was 28, 8 months after the birth of my first child.  My neuro doctor says that it was a stroke from migraine/ birthcontrol.  A year and later I am pregnant with my 2nd child.  Totally surprised and not ready to be honest.  But God is in control.  It has been comforting to see and read others of you having children (healthy at that) after a stroke.  I have felt alone sometimes going through this.  Thanks for your stories and advice.

[lildancer770]

Hey just wondering how the pregnancy went?

[jaime_76]

I had an ischemic stroke at 28 years old 3 days after giving birth to a 9 1/2 lb baby. My gyno actually made me feel more at ease about all of it than the hemotoligist or nuerologist. No one could tell me why I had. I had no complications theroughout my pregnancy or delivery. They both told me that it was not pregnancy related but not to have anymore children. I miscarried 3 times (before each one of my live births). I have never been able to get any straight answers about any of it. I have physically recovered from it except that I have shaking episodes on my right side still at times and my mind is not the same. My memory is horrible now and I sometimes can know what I want to say but sometimes I just can't find the right words. I have a bit of weakness on my right side also but not major enough for most people to notice. I also talk really fast alot of times but don't realize it (people sometimes look at me funny) I am now 33 and pregnant (surprise!!). I am scared to death but I also feel like God would not have given me this gift if I wasn't supposed to have it. It is a little more comforting to see that I am not the only one out there but I am frustrated and feel very dumb about it all and haven't been able to find any answers.
jaime_76