Pregnancy after Stroke

[JQ]

Hi

I am 21yrs old and recently suffered a (clot) stroke (3 months ago). I went in to see my Dr today and he said I can try for a baby in the new year.

Please, I would really like to hear from everyone who had a baby post stroke, good or bad.

[wer4herd]

Hi, I too would like to know about this.  I am 32 and suffered a stroke at 30.  My husband and I would like to have a child, but are unsure about my health issues and pregnancy.  My stroke was due to a dissection in my left vertebral artery and I have been told that it has healed completely.  However, I experience dizziness and unwell feelings around menstruation, which I'm sure is due to hormones, which makes me nervous about pregnancy.  Any information would be helpful.  I have looked on the internet and have not really found anything.  If you find out anything, let me know and I will do the same for you.  Take care.

[C.F.]

I too had a stroke when I was 29...2 weeks after I gave birth to my son...That was 4 1/2 years ago.  I have been fine ever since,even though my corotid arteries are still occluded.  I had a bilateral corotid dissection.  I would also like to have more kids and my doctors THINK it should be ok, but there are no guarantees!!

[wer4herd]

Hi C.F.

Did they say what caused your dissection?  Was it the strain of giving birth?  May I ask if you delivered naturally or had a C-Section?  Did they say if you had another one that you would have to have a C-section because of all of the strain of giving birth?  That is what I am scared of.  That I will strain so hard that it may tear the artery again.  I would appreciate any info you can give.  Thank you wer4herd

[C.F.]

They aren't sure what the dissection is from....pushing could have contributed to something breaking off and causing a clot.  I actually had a natural birth with a 6lb. 3oz baby...very normal pregnancy no known risks.  I was told if I had another baby that they would give me a heavy epidural and use forceps...c-sections are too risky for bleeding.  I would probably have to take some kind of blood thinner for preventive measures.  where are you located?  what do your doctors think?

[JQ]

Can I ask what a "dissection" is?

All I know about my stroke is it was caused by my pill and it was the clot.

[C.F.]

bilateral carotid artery dissection:
A stroke secondary to carotid dissection is a loss of brain function due to a stroke caused by a tear in the lining of the carotid artery (a major artery in the neck which supplies blood to the front of the brain).

I basically have no blood flow to my brain except through my vertebral arteries.  My carotid arteries are almost completely closed.

[JQ]

OK, so I can rest assured that I didn't have that if they said it was a clot from my leg that travelled to my brain and caused by the pill?

I am recovering really well now, I think that has something do with my age, but I dont have any symptoms now at all. The Drs have said I can start trying for a baby on my honeymoon which will be exactly 6 months after my stroke. Is that to early? I really want a baby but I dont want to put myself at risk? I will be on the blood thinning meds throuout the pregnancy so I suppose that will minimise the risk?

[C.F.]

My doctors think I should be fine also, but since I already have a child...I'm not sure I want to put myself at risk.

[wer4herd]

Thank you for the personal info.  I am in WV.  I actually just went to my neuro to ask about babies and he said that having a child is the most dangerous thing a woman can do.  But, driving a car is dangerous and people still do it.  He doesn't seem to think that I am at a higher risk than anyone else for problems, even with prior history of stroke.  I am still leary about it though.  Did you talk to your gynecologist about blood thinners etc... if you were to get pregnant again?  I just wondered who told you your information because my neuro did not really give me any details of that nature.

[wer4herd]

Hi, it sounds like your doctors know what they are talking about, and it sounds like you are doing really well to even be thinking about pregnancy six months after a stroke.  I was no where near being fully recuperated that soon, so I am very happy to hear you are doing so well.  It sounds like your doctors think its ok to start trying and they would know.  If you still feel uneasy, don't worry.  You still have time to decide what you want to do.  You are still really young, plenty of fertile years left.  :-)  Just voice your concerns to your doctor.  If they have you on blood thinners, I would think you would be ok.  Blood thinners and anti-coagulants (plavix, cumadin, etc...)  should keep you from having a clot.  Did they find out what caused your clot to begin with?

[jen_e-g25aries]

JQ,

getting pregnant after a stroke can be a little dangerous.  if you are on blood thinning medicine right now such like coumadin or aspirin, you have to be sure that you know exactly when you are pregnant, because blood thinners can be very bad for a developing fetus.  another thing is your blood pressure when in labor, you have to make sure to keep it normal, that is very important.  right now, you should monitor your blood pressure frequently, this is a major key in keeping healthy and stroke free.  
its probably not what you wanna hear but maybe you should wait a while longer to try and conceive, you need time for yourself right now.  your body might need a little time to heal.  in whatever your desicion, good luck!

[C.F.]

FYI:  The blood thinner that you would probably be on is safe and is given in the stomach on a daily basis.

[C.F.]

I spoke to my neurologist and my gynocologist and they both seem to think that I would be fine.  I was in Johns Hopkins for a week and had OT, PT, and speech everyday for about 1-2 months.  I really haven't had symptoms in the past 3 1/2yrs.  The first year, I was really shaken up by the whole thing and so was everyone else....then again, I had a newborn at home!  He's what really got me through it all.  All of you had strokes before having kids...I think it really helped me.

p.s.  The kind of stroke I had...it's basically a miracle that I'm alive and without residual effects.

[JQ]

I am on Plavix at the moment but that isnt tested in pregnancy so they reccomend that I go on asprin when I am trying and all through my pregnancy.

I was at the Dr's yesterday and he said it was my pill that caused the clot. I am no longer on any contraception and therefore have minimised my risk of having another stroke. My Dr seems to think I wont have any problems trying as I dont have high blood pressure or any underlying problems.

[wer4herd]

Yep, they told me the same thing.  Mine was in the brain stem and I went through therapy for several months. They keep telling me how lucky I am.  I don't want to go through it again, but I do want a child.  I am going to speak to another neurologist and get another opinion just for my own peace of mind before my husband and I start trying.  It will be two years this Thanksgiving and I do still experience dizziness and slight balance and eye problems, not all the time, but every now and then.  Thank you for all of the info.

[BreezyAnn]

I had a stroke at birth. The doctors told my mother that I would never be able to do anything for myself. I would never walk, talk, feed myself, anything by myself. But they were wrong I just turned 21 and I'm getting married in febuary 2007. I can do everything that is put in my way. I want to have a baby more than anything and my mother says that I will more and likely have to have a c-section and I realize that. My stroke was caused by stress in the birth cannal. So they don't know if my body can handle the stress of a pregnancy. but I know I can do it but I am going to be very carful.

[Morg24]

When having a baby after a stroke midwives will watch you very closely. Neither them nor you will let it get bad again.

I had a stroke after having a baby. I had an epidural and it went wrong so I had to have a blood patch (your own blood is put into your spine to clot and block a puncture hole). It all went wrong and three clots formulated in my brain. When I told the Doctors that I had started to have a severe headache the didn't listen and sent me home. I was like that for six days before I started to feel numb on my right side so I went back and I was just sent home again. I ended up collapsing being totally paralysed on my right side. Everyone thought I was going to die and my son was only a week old. Three days later I woke up, two days after that I started to walk again, three days after that I was discharged and five weeks later I had completely recovered. My neurologist said there is no reason why I shouldn't have another baby as he believes it will never happen again. It was caused by negligence. I am scared about having another baby even though it is what I really want. My pregnancy was wonderful, I never had a problem. Being a mother is the best thing. I am 24 now and my little boy is 16 months old. He is a joy. If your Doctor says it is ok go for it, just watch out for the signs and if they offer you a blood patch say NO! I have found that I am the third recorded person that this has happened to but I bet there are many more.

[C.F.]

I also had a stroke after my son and the doctors at the hospital basically sent me home, even though half my face was numb, speech was slurred and had a hard time understanding people.  My own doctor also told me it was due to hormones!!!  It wasn't until my ob/gyn heard me on the phone that I was seen by a neurologist....2 weeks after I gave birth all of this happened.

I am back to "normal" now and have been fine for 4 1/2yrs., but I would also like to have more kids and am really nervous.  where are you located?  I would love talk to you.

[tyoti]

Iwas 25 years old when I had my third baby by my husband, I want in to surgery to get my tubes ,tied because I thought that I was though with my pregnancy. I was breast feeding, and I did not went the meds to affect my child, so I opted to get the epidoral,and the anastesiologist was poking me in my back repeatedly, to find a space in between my veretebrae, on about the sixth time she hit something that sent heat and pain down my right leg and it kicked out by it's self. Three days later I was in the hospital paralized on one side. I had bleeding on the left of my brain, I stayed in the hospital for about to months, I also developed a clot in my leg from lack of movement. They ran 100's of test and 2 cats, And two mri's and they found nothing. I am now in process of a divorce and thinking about of the what if's. I might went to have another baby, I am now 30 and don't think I want to consider this option long, considering the risk involved after a curtain age.

[Jen-miracle]

Hello, I am new to this type of thing but,  I really need some type of input from other people who have suffered the same thing.
My story I will try to keep it brief. I was 24 years old when I went into labor to early. My son did not make it. At that time I was told it was one of those things and it probally would not happen again. I carried my son, Matthew to 24 weeks. It was a very hard and painful experience. I became pregnant again 9 months later with the help of clomid. I once again had a really hard pregnancy and began to have contractions a 13 weeks. I was put on bedrest with only bathroom privelges. I took medication to relax my uterus. I thank God up above carried my daughter to 38 weeks and 4 days. she weighed 9 pounds and 2 ounces... My miracle. However, little did I know what would be awaiting for me seven weeks from then.
I first had a spinal headache and had to have the spinal tap.I felt great after that my c-section recovery was very easy. (I did labor and push for over 3 hard hours).I was put on the pill at 6 weeks but,  I got sick with a severe sinus infection and a fever of 106 just 3 days later. It was April 2 2002, when I all of a sudden got the worst headache and lost my vision. I feel to the ground to dial for help. It was scary to know my baby was only 7 weeks old. I was sent to the University hospital where I stayed for 2 weeks. I could not see the first 7 days and double vision for over a month and a half. I have Factor V LEiden and I am hetrozygote. They said the combination of everything set up for the explosion. I had numerous blood clots in my brain. My husband was told I would not make it through the night. I did. I was told I would suffer from long term effects, I did not. I am a walking miracle. I later found out that my son more than likely had a clot in the umbilical cord. It was really hard to hear. My daughter is a walking miracle also.. I had her tested and she too has Factor V Leiden. I will be on Blood thinners for the rest of my life... My husband had surgery so we could not have anther baby. I would love to have another child. But, the dr's can not guarntee me anything. I want to be here for my daughter for a long time. I wish only the best for you all....
jennifer

[Jen-miracle]

I wanted to talk to other people who have gone through the same things. When I went to the high risk ob dr. he had no information on a woman who survived a blood clot in the brain and then got pregnant again. I have to be honest, I will always wish for that miracle drug so I could have another baby. I know some of you had questions about what would another pregnancy be like after this medical condition. I finally found another dr. that went over the steps of what a pregnancy would be like for me. ( not counting the vasectomy reversal) Everything would be monitored from the time I would expect a pregnancy to getting me off of the coumadin quickly to starting low weight heparin shots twice a day. Seeing my hematologist to make sure my blood was staying in check. From planning a C-section by taking me off of the heparin then to putting me back on coumadin after the C-section and in my case because the clot was so bad instead of the coumadin at first, keeping me on heparin until I was 7 weeks postpartum, basically getting me through and past the point that everything that happened the last time. That was not even going over the preterm contractions. Then he ended it by saying I still can not guarantee anything.. I would love to have another baby, but I could not imagine getting one headache during my pregnancy; I know I would lose it... The first year or so, I suffered from panic attacks, fear of dying, fear of not being here for my daughter, fear of not watching her grow up... It will be 5 years this April and I am still fearful, and I know not one person around my area that has ever had anything like this experience. I would like to talk to other people who have been through this..
God Bless,
jennifer

[C.F.]

I am also a living miracle...which also happened 5yrs. ago this March!  I completely understand what you went through your first year.  My pregnancy, on the other hand was completely "normal."  I think I've come to terms that having another baby would probably not be the best idea.  Good luck!

[lobsta721]

Hey Guys! I am so glad I found this site. My name is Amanda, I am 20 years old and I suffered a massive brainstem stroke in 2005 from my birth control pills. I have since found out that I am currently 12 weeks pregnant and the doctors have no worries about me giving birth but they have recently put me on Lovenox. Does anyone know anything about this drug? Thanks

[cjfaris]

My family and I were recently in a horrific car accident where an tracker trailor rear-ended us. My 8 month old son lost his life in the accident and I suffered a stroke on my left side due to the extreme trauma of the accident. Another cause of the stroke was both of my corotid arteries were dissected (torn) in the accident. One was completed blocked with clots and the other one was partially blocked. I have just recently gotten out of the hospital, the accident was 2 months ago. I am still on coumadin after test show both of my arteries in my neck have healed. My husband and I are going to try for another baby around the end of the year or first part of next year. Does anyone know if it will be safe after getting off coumadin to start trying for another child?