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pregnancy after stroke

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?
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Avatar universal
I too had a stroke when I was 25 and I am now 27 and wanting to start a family.I understand completely what you are saying about being scared about getting pregnant and giving birth. My doctors say I should not go for an unplanned pregnancy but otherwise they didn't say I could not have babies...just that I have to be close monitored. For me it was also a big shock since I didn't smoke and I was very active, so the pill might have caused it, but not for sure...i'm getting married in december and a little worried about getting pregnant (although i would love to have children). Claresullivan433 i'll ask my doctors about risks and i'll let you know if i have important info. I'm not american but live in Europe so excuse me for any mistakes.thnks
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Avatar universal
how long after ur stroke could u move agin I had a stroke age 24 an it was only 8mths ago but I still cant move my toes or ankle at all
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Avatar universal
I am 28 Years old and Had 3 mini strokes last April. The doctors have done lots of test and could only put my stroke down to my pill. I have low blood pressure, Active and do not smoke so was a big shock. I have nearly full recovered as have had weaknesses down my left arm and with my speech. I am currently receiving councilling due to panic attacks and starting to feel alot better about what has happened.
My husband and I are now thinking of starting a family, We do not have any children and the Doctors at the time said pregnancy should be fine but would need monitoring.  I am very scared with getting pregnant, with stopping my tablets and the giving birth. Has anyone else felt these feelings and Is there likely to be more stroke issues during the pregnancy?
Thank u x
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Avatar universal
I had 2 TIAs when I was 27 years old. Both TIAs happened after my 2nd son was born (about 9 months old) and I was on orthoevra patch. Doctors found out that I have a PFO and due to combination of birth control pills and PFO i developed TIAs. Now it is 7 years later and I would love to have another baby but I am scarred. I am even affraid to have PFO closed? is it risky? is it easy recovery after PFO closure? Were you told you can have another baby after you have PFO closed?
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Avatar universal
I too had a stroke, 3 months after my son was born, 3 years ago.  I found out yesterday I was pregnant again!  Yeah!  I went to The Cleveland Clinic where they ran tests, and after seeing a neurologist at home, and a few emergency room visits, oh and a 3 night stay in the hospital for observations, I was told that it "may" have been pregnancy related!  lol  MAY!  There are no guarantees in this life, I say go for it!  You never know what is going to happen.  Best of luck to you!
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Avatar universal
I had 2 strokes in April last year both in middle of cerebellum overlapping both left and right sided, was left with weakness in left are and right leg. My doctor has advised that I resign myself to not having any children in the future, after reading this though Im encouraged to ask for a 2nd opinion. I live in the Uk and they have no idea why I had a stroke other than that I was on the pill. I still havent seen a neurologist and have now started suffering from migraine.I already have a 5 year old little girl but always wanted more children in future! Reading this has helped thankyou x
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1568941 tn?1296733919
I was 25  and 2 weeks along when i had my stroke I am now 28 and wondering about having another child. I have after effects but they're not noticable if you dont know me well. The doctors never did determine what the actual cause of my stroke was. I had a PFO repaired during the the first month of my pregnancy. I was told if I want to have more kids i should be fine but to plan way ahead. I'm from a very small town in Idaho and didn't have the best experience with Doctor's or the nearest University hospital. My family docotor's were baffled by me but very supportive. My Cardiologist, Dr, Soresen from Salt Lake City, UT was the greatest! The University of Utah doctor's I was not impressed with. They kept me there for a week drew my blood every 4 hours, did MRI's and talked to me once a day for 10 minutes they finally sent me home with Lovenox shots 2x a day (I switched to Heparin) with no understanding of the cause at all. Thats when we found Dr. Soresen he found my PFO and repaired it 2 weeks later. I retaught myself to write, read and speak. My pregnancy went well, I went 37 weeks and delivered C-section for fear I could hemmorage. I won't lie I'm very scared of getting pregnant again. I guess I'm looking for reassurance and reccomendations on Doctor's within Utah and Idaho.  Sorry about any grammar or spelling issues, LOL.
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Avatar universal
I am 2 years post dissection with pseudoaneurysm (no stroke--just mini strokes) and no healing. I have 5 year old twins and my husband and I would really like to have another. My symptoms are mostly under control but doctors seem unsure of the risk. I had preclampsia with the twins at 36 weeks and delivered via c-section at 37 weeks. My internal med doc referred me to my gyn but no one is really telling me how high the risk is of injuring the dissection further and/or of continuing the aspirin therapy and beta blockers. I understand no one can say for sure what will happen but I really need a better understanding of the risk so we make the best decision for my health and don't put our potential baby in harms way. Can anyone refer me to any online resources or a type of doctor to consult?
Thanks!!
Kate
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1049234 tn?1282824898
I had a stroke due to birth control at 23, and had a surprise pregnancy a year and a half later. I am very lucky all was well with me and my son. I  knew it was risky, and was told I was kookoo by many doctors. I found a doc who would see me eventually. pregnancy after stroke isn't recomended, but you definately CAN get pregnant. I don't plan on having another child. I took lowdose asprin untill I was 6 months along.
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Avatar universal
My left carotid artery dissected 14 days after I gave birth to my daughter at 31 weeks(c-section).I was 24 y/o. I had preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. My left carotid is still occluded.  It has been 3 years and I would love to have another baby but I am very scared.  My doctors all tell me they don't know what to do because they have never seen a case like mine.  

I was wondering if anybody else has had similar problems and had a "normal" pregnancy???
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Avatar universal
I am 35 years old and had a stroke 5 months ago at age 34.  Doctors have determined that my stroke was due to  clotting issues related to complications from pernicious anemia, malnutrition, and a congenital heart defect (PFO) that I have since had repaired.  I have completly recovered and I am now taking supplemental vitamins regularly, eating healthy, and I want to have another baby (already have a 11 y/o and a 2 y/o).  However, I am cautious because my family I already have needs me, but I still feel the urge to have more children.
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Avatar universal
I have antiphospholipid syndrome which causes your blood to clot too much and puts you at a high risk for miscarriage and stroke during pregnancy.  I believe  because of hormone levels when your pregnant your at an even higher risk than any other time.  Maybe some of you can be checked for this its a simple blood test.  I was told certain blood thinners can be  taken during pregnancy.  Something to research.
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Avatar universal
i had a stroke at 26 three years after my first child and i'm wanting to have another but is not successful in getting pregnant and i'm 34 now could have having a stroke slim those chances?
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Avatar universal
Hi there I had a SAH in 02 had two children since and am pregnant with my 3rd, I had them naturally so try not to worry to much you will be fine. Jess.xxx
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Avatar universal
I am 35 years old, and currently on blood thinners for treatment of my dissections but no stroke that happened 1 year ago next week.  I have a 10 year old son that I delivered vaginally, and all was normal.  I have been going to Duke University hospital to a High Risk specialist and they strongly advise me not to get pregnant again.  My OB and Neuro doc feels that I will be ok, it's such a tough decision, I have been tested for lots of genetic things that can contribute to this condition and all is negative so far.  Just doesn't seem to be enough studies done on people that had dissections and then preganancy. Just wondering if there are more of us out there??
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1243408 tn?1268427312
I had a stroke when I was 17.  I am now 37.  8 months pregnant.  All is well but I am scared too.  Doctors do not know what to do with me.   They do not know why I had the stroke.  I was healthy non smoking teen who was very active in sports.  Low blood Pressure.  The two possible causes of my stroke are I was on the Pill, and I suffered some neck strain the day before the stoke.  The legion on my spine went from C5 to T3.  It took me months to learn how to walk again.  I still have some paralysis (Right Hand)  Weak Right leg and torso.  

I do not know if I am going to have a Natural Birth or a C Section.  Doctors are reluctant to do C section and I am fearful that I may not be able to push.  
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1243408 tn?1268427312
Hi there.  I had a stroke when I was 17.  Rendered me C5 quad.  I learned to walk again.  And depending on who you ask - I can run too!  I just look funny.  I have had to adjust my gait as my right leg drags.  When I run I sort of fling my leg around as I do not get the normal heel toe lift that my left leg, ankle and foot are capable of.  I find I can fire the muscles fast but they fatigue quickly.  So really I am only doing sprints.  I cannot run a marathon or anything.  But man it feels good just to get moving.  I played Ultimate Frisbee for several years until last year my back started acting up due to the compensating I was doing in my running style.  I have since had to stop playing and do activities that support more bi-lateral movement.  Ie) Biking.   All I can say is don't give up.  Keep working out so you can get stronger.  Listen to your body.  If you are tired - take a rest.  Practice "running" on a treadmill at slow speed to get the hang of it.  And you can hang on to the rails for support.  Also practice running in the pool.  I love doing that.  
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Avatar universal
Hi On 10/3009 i had a stroke from a (avm) at 30 years old i have 2 small children i'm having a hard time dealing with not being the same. i'm ashamed I did great in rehab only b/c i felt i was stronger than others as soon as i got home i felt bad. Outpatient  PTis gonig finr. I have weakness on my left side also lost of field vision i'm scared of everything going back to work will it happen again are just a couple of my fears. I feel lost. i try to live a normal life but can't stop thinking about my problems. i hate i can't type or think like i use too. i feel stupid even though everyone says i'm lucky that i can talk ,walk and my memory is good but i don't feel lucky when everyone else is fine. when my friends are talking about their fabulous life and all i have is a sad story. My doctors and fanily say i'm a miracle i got to the hospital in mins and had very little damage they expect me to fully recover. How can i cope with this at my age?  This weekend i'm throwing my kids a big birhtday party wish me luck it's my first public event. YIu ladies made me feel so much better. I'm starting to feel like a survivor more than a loser. Good luck to all you. you've my new inspiration that there is life after a stroke.

  

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Avatar universal
have any of these people been checked for having a pfo? i had strokes at 30. now at 41 I've been trying to get pregnant and my many doctors discovered a pfo they all believe related to the prior strokes. all say i can go no further without more testing, possibly corrective surgery. maybe it's worth looking further into these cases, i have been waiting 10+ years for answers. only now has there really been a major interest. also always seek second an third opinions.
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Avatar universal
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
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Avatar universal
Hey just wondering how the pregnancy went?
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Avatar universal
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.
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Avatar universal
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.
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Avatar universal
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.
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