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Today, I read an article about a woman who suffered over 3 miscarriages. The article was about how sometimes nature just isn't being nature and that there could be serious medical reasons why she was losing so many babies.
One of the reasons was clotting. This freaked me out because I'd like to think that one day I'll have a couple of young scrappers in my life and now that seems a little uncertain. Stroke victims have a risk when they carry. When I was reading this, I started to remember all the bad feelings, hurts and pains I had while recovering and the symptoms I had leading up to the stroke. I DO NOT want to have another one and that seems to be a very real risk if/when I get pregnant.
I know you can get your blood tested for levels of antithrombin and things like that but do I really want to risk that? I already have slightly below levels for certain proteins....what if this ends up hurting me? Having a family is a ways off for me but it's still something I should think about. Hmm...
My heart breaks for you. It breaks for me too. I had my first massive ischemic stroke at the age of 29, six weeks after my son was born. I had my second stroke 14 months after the first one on March 25, 2011. I take 81 mg aspirin and 5 mg coumadin daily (and will be probably for the rest of my life). They also do not know what caused either stroke. I have had one child and I don't want to sound ungrateful for the blessings in my life, but I know how good it is to be a mother and I want more children. I want my son to have a sibling. It's risky though and how much risk do I really want to take? My doctors told me I had a 5% chance of having another stroke after my first one. I thought it would never happen again... and then it did. My son needs a mother and my husband needs a wife. But there is something so strong inside of me that yearns to have another baby. While I know there are other ways to become a parent, I still struggle with this. So I am just writing to tell you that you are not alone. And I am close (literally and figuratively - I live on Long Island) and here to listen.
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DeleteHello, I'm in a similar situation I had my stroke at the age of 28 in Feb. 2015 but I just learned yesterday I was pregnant. Have u had any kids since your strokes? And it's good to hear about your recivery I know exactly how hard you fought I did the same I had my stroke 2months after my son was born. But I'm Judy trying to figure out of having this baby is even possible and still be in ones life... Is like to get your insite my neurologist has not gotten back with me yet non the risk but it's weighing heavy on my mind the possibility of not being able to carry my child. If you could email me would be great(starmana13@gmail.com) I just found your article while searching pregnancy after a stroke. I always felt like I was the b only young adult to experience something like this, and for unknown reasons.
DeleteYour story is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing it. I'm keeping you in my thoughts. Something so beautiful shouldn't be so scary to experience.
ReplyDeleteStay healthy.
Hey Eljon!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Erin, I live in sydney Australia and very randomly fell across your blog! I also had a stroke nearly 1 year to the day at the age of 30(and 2 weeks) very unexpectedly and still there is no real reason why it happened. It was so nice to read your archived words to see just how similar our experiences have been. I'm still not working but was lucky enough to be physically ok. My memory is SO shit its frustrating, but only months ago I didn't even realise I had a memory problem - so I must be getting better right? My blog has helped me get through what has been the hardest year in my life. Theres just something to documenting what happened that has allowed me to move on. I am sooooo hoping to have a baby in this coming year but have to be honest that I am terrified I may have complications, have another (this time disabling) stroke or worse have a baby and die and leave my hubby with a newborn.BUT being a mum is important to me - can't stop living right? if you have a chance check out my blog www.erinhadastrokeofgenius.wordpress.com
Hi, I just stumbled on this blog and this particular entry completely randomly. I see the entry is 2 years old and the last comment 1 year old so what I have to say may be pointless. All 3 of you women may have found the answers to your dreams by now, but if not I'm here to lend a little hope.
ReplyDeleteI had my stroke at 31, almost 9 years ago, due to a clotting disorder in my blood. It's an autoimmune disorder where my blood makes antibodies in attack against itself and somehow in doing so causes clots to form more quickly and frequently than they do in 'normal' people. After my stroke I also developed DVTs which told my doctors that this blood disorder was not going stay quiet, but make itself known, meaning a lifetime of nasty blood thinners for me to control the clotting if I wanted to avoid repeated problems and live...yes please!
Having children had been my dream since I practically was one myself and my doctors now were telling me how risky it would be for me. That I shouldn't even consider it at all, but if I were to, I should have 1 and only 1 and then STOP, PERIOD! I wasn't settling for this so about 3-4 years post stroke I went to see a specialist in Virginia close to where I was living at the time. I went to the Maternal Fetal Medicine department at EVMS (the Eastern Virginia Medical School). They were amazing there. They gave me hope. The first thing the doctor told me was that there they didn't tell women they COULDN'T get pregnant. They did everything they could to help them get pregnant and have happy, healthy, successful pregnancies. She also said that although she could not limit me, the recommendation of 1 child the best for me.
We discussed my blood condition that causes the clotting and my need for the continued use of blood thinners. She explained to me that pregnant women cannot use oral blood thinners, BUT, there IS another option. There are injections that can be taken in place of the oral thinners. I know it doesn't sound fun, but if you really want that child badly enough, it's a sacrifice you'd likely have to make. Usually the injections are taken twice daily, exactly 12 hours apart and at the exact same time every day. They are self given in the belly with a very fine needle. Some people have said to have problems with the drug itself stinging as it goes in, or other weird things, but others have no problem at all.
These injections are similar to what you may have gotten in the hospital after your strokes. I know I got them. I also had to take them for several weeks when I had surgery 2 years ago. I have no problems with them whatsoever, except for the bruising, no weird stinging or other odd effects. Anyways, shots are not fun, especially when self administering, but as I said if that baby means that much to you..... And if you absolutely positively know for sure that you cannot do it to yourself, talk to your husband/partner, could they give you a shot twice a day?
Im 25 and was in my 3rd pregnancy. I had symptoms of a minor stroke at beginning of aug but drs dismissed it because of my age and they wouldnt scan me.. because of baby but on thurs evening i had a mini stroke again and I found my babys heartbeat had stopped and gave birth to a beautiful baby boy 20wks early sat morning!! :'( and then sat afternoon I had a full stroke and im left unable to speak properly and my left arm is practically useless... I wish they had listened to me and not fobbed me off because of my age!!! :'(
ReplyDeleteHi everyone I had a stroke almost 2 years ago at age 22 they never found out why I had one but I have been left with no right peripheral vision. This does not bother me now though as I am used to it.
ReplyDeleteI have a 2 and a half year old which I had 5 months before stroke and I am desperately wanting another baby. Not sure what to do and I'm scared of having another stroke incase something horrific happens and I leave my beautiful girl. Really would like to meet someone else who is of similar age and is pregnant or has had a baby after having a stroke.
I hear you all. I recently turned 30 and I had a stroke on October 23, 2012. My daughter (who required fertility treatment to get) was 19 months at the time. I, at least, know what happened: it's a long, complicated story but it all boils down to autoimmune disease/vasculitis. I had a pretty bad TIA in July. I desperately want another child, too, but I don't know if I could even get pregnant- not sure they will give you fertility drugs post-stroke! My OB (she is a high risk maternal-fetal medicine specialist and a professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center) tells me, however, that there is no reason most people who have had strokes in the past can't go on to have a normal, healthy, pregnancy if properly managed. So I think finding the right doctor is KEY.
ReplyDeleteHi there! What was the doctor's name? Did she ok fertility treatments like ivf?
DeleteThanks for ur reply I have decided that I am going to go through with having a baby I'm going to see my doctor next week. She is a good doctor so hopefully she can give me some good advice.
ReplyDeleteHi my name is Kayla I had a embolic stroke a month ago an just found out I am pregnant I was wondering what happened with u being pregnant an going through with pregnancy
DeleteKiara did u go ahead with your pregnancy then? What's the update?
ReplyDeleteKiara did u go ahead with your pregnancy then? What's the update?
ReplyDeleteHi I had 2 strokes November 2016 because of RCVS it paralyzed my left side and caused an aneurysm in my brain I’m 32 was 31 when I had my strokes I am wanting to have another baby I’d love to try for a little boy I think god for the 2 girls I have but I had trouble getting them I had 2 miscarriages and that was before the strokes I’m so afraid to have another miscarriage or another stroke I just want to try for a little boy so badly I dreamed about having a little boy I just don’t know what to do....... if anyone has anything to say or a story like mine plz email me at tashaperkins85@gmail.com god bless
ReplyDeleteTasha
As u all know I had 2 strokes a few years ago and was hoping for more children well my update is I did get pregnant and at 9 weeks and 6 days the baby lost its heartbeat and I had a miscarriage it’s a heartbreaking thing to go through and that was just a few days ago so right now I don’t know if I’ll try again I don’t think I can go through that again so right now I’m just so thankful for the 2 daughters that I have
ReplyDeleteThanks and god bless
Dear Tasha,
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.
-Eljon
Someone Sometimes with visits your blog regularly and recommended it in my experience to read as well. The way of writing is excellent and also the content is top-notch. Thanks for that insight you provide the readers!
ReplyDeleteHealthy pregnancy
Hi
ReplyDeleteI am 31 I had a stroke at 28. I had 2 children prior to my stroke. My stroke was caused from an arterial dissection (not from.anthhing genetic it was a spontaneous). All 4 of the arteries were dissected but the left carotid caused the stroke it was th worst. all others have healed up fine. The left carotid is still a little "ratty"
I really want a 3rd child I know it sounds crazy but we have always knew we were going to have 3 kids so we tried. I just had a miscarriage and I am going to try again. Please wish us luck.
Praying for you. Be safe! You are blessed.
DeleteI got too much interesting stuff on your blog. I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! Keep up the good work. حوامل
ReplyDeleteJust saying thanks will not just be sufficient, for the fantasti c lucidity in your writing. I will instantly grab your rss feed to stay informed of any updates. حوامل
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