pregnancy after a stroke??

Nichole

Hi saecasm! My dad suffered a massive stroke in August of this year and has left sided paralysis. He is still in rehab. His leg is slowly getting stronger but his arm is still paralyzed. I don't have any info on the drugs for you, but I'm sure your Doctor could help you out with whether or not to continue to use the medication. I know women who have taken chemo treatments during pregnancy and their babies were fine. I'm sure there is a medication available that would be safe during pregnancy. Will you have someone with you after you have the baby? I have an 11 mo old boy and from experience I know that it pretty much takes two hands most of the time, still. Because of my dad, I have tried to do everyday things using only one arm, and it is very difficult. I imagine it would take a lot of patience to do things. My dad lost his short term memory, did you have any memory loss? He also has subluxation of his arm which causes a lot of pain for him. Do you still do any therapy for your arm? Are you hopeful for some return in it?

Embersflame

I am also concerned about pregnancy after a stroke

I am 29 yrs. old and I had a stroke on New Years day of this year due to trama to the back of my neck. Mine was a brainstem stroke and I had temporary paralisis to my left side. The main arteries in the back of my neck were damaged. The left artery completly severed. The Doctors all say that I was not at risk for any kind of stroke and that the trama to the back of my neck is what caused the stroke. I am getting better every day and they doc. say's that I will have almost a full recovery. I have less sensation in the right side of my body(can't feel heat, pain, etc...) that will probably never get back to normal and my left eye will probably alway's droop and be blurry at times. And my speach will probably alway's slur when I get tired. But all in all they say I'm very luck to even be alive.

My Husband and I were trying to concieve when I had the stroke. We are now worried that I may never be able to have another child. I have a son who's 7 yrs. old from my 1st marriage. My husband has 2 girls ages 11 and 9 yrs. from his first marriage also. This would have been our first and last child together.

Anyway, I'm glad that I found this site and I hope to be able to find some answeres to my questions here. I plan on talking to my Stroke Specialist and my OBGYN about pregnancy after stroke, But I would appreciate any advice, or opinions ya'll might have.

God Bless!

Tania

beki b

Tania,
Almost a year ago (4-15-03 actually) I suffered a cerebellum/brain stem stroke at the age of 33. The doctors believe that my use of birth control pills and an artery that's slightly more narrow than it should be were the cause. I've since made a "remarkable" recovery but was advised to wait a year before trying to concieve.

My husband and I are poster children for "oopsies" and I became pregnant in October. I am now 32 weeks and feeling fine. This pregnancy has mimicked my first (no complications like preclampsia, etc.) I believe the doctors aren't quite sure what to do with me, as I don't have anything chronically wrong (like a clotting disorder that would require heparin).

The neurologists have recommended a C-section, as to avoid pushing and straining during labor. However the neo-natal specialist and OB doctors have recommended laboring naturally just no pushing, ie having the baby suctioned out or using forceps when the time comes. I have not made up my mind and this may be something you'll have to consider. Along with the increased risk of stroke during the third trimester and post pardum.

I wish you luck! It's good to know I'm not the only one out there. Take care!!
Beki

adouglas

Hi Saecasm,

I had a huge stroke 4 yrs ago at the age of 33 - 2 weeks after my first child was born. My left arm/hand was & still is completely paralyzed. Raising a child with one wing is extremely difficult!

Some things to think about:

1. not able to lift him in/out of crib or car seat. Not able to pick him up if he falls. My son was very big (9lbs 12 oz) , so, it was hard to carry him (which I kinda did like a football) while still keeping my balance.

2. changing a diaper is possible - it just ain't pretty . (Use your leg to hold his legs up). Good news is you'll get out of changing as many diapers as you would've normally! Plus, until you've had a chance to practice, someone else will need to fold his laundry

3. You can't play patty-cake or other clapping games. Not the end of the world - you'll find different games.

4. Have to be careful and really pay close attention when he's in the bathtub, as you can't lift him out.

It's really interesting because you're child will learn to 'work with you' more or less. For instance, once my son started walking, he'd back up to me so I could wrap my good arm around his tummy and lift him onto my lap

And, of course, the older they get, the easier it gets because they can get into and out of their own car seat, and even do up the belt. They can help you do the grocery shopping and even carry a bag! etc. They begin to feel really important when you ask them to help you. You no longer need to change diapers, and so on.

You'll definetely need to ask for help from family, friends, neighbors, or even strangers!

I think the hardest part is emotionally when you see other mommies carrying their child on their hip, and you know you won't be one of them. But, there are thousands of people who raise children just fine with one arm, and we'll just have to be one of them.

One tip that no-one told me about is to use your hip to pin things against a counter/table to hold it (eg to hold a baby bottle while screwing the lid on etc)

I tell my son that my arm is sleeping and that we have to be very gentle with it.

I hope I haven't scared you because it's such a rewarding experience - just different for us. But, you'll learn to adapt so well that you'll even amaze yourself!

Angie