Leannes journey from stroke survivor to motherhood

It was a normal morning in March 2017, but little did I know what was about to happen to me just one-month shy of my 36th birthday. 

My husband left for work early and I was in bed home alone with my puppy. I got up to use the bathroom and as I returned, I suddenly felt "weird". My head felt like it was spinning. As I always talk to my dog, I looked at her and said “I don't feel well.” However, this is not how it came out of my mouth. 

I grabbed my mobile to call my parents who lived close by. I struggled to remember the number which was unusual, but finally it came to me. Mum and Dad came over and took one look at me and called the ambulance. 

On my way to hospital I started to get excruciating pain above my left eye. As the day went on, I became worse. I lost complete sight in my right eye and I couldn't eat or drink. After some tests, the doctors told me I'd need to have fluid drained from my brain through my spine. I was petrified.

That evening another doctor came in and said I was being discharged as they had ruled out anything life threatening. They believed I had suffered a severe migraine. I was shocked. I have had migraines my whole life, but nothing like this. I was reluctant to leave because I still felt something was not right. As I voiced my concerns, they offered to keep me on the drip for a couple more hours. My eyesight had improved, but I still had no peripheral vision in my right eye.

When I was discharged, I went home with only painkillers. My condition worsened. I couldn't eat and sipping on water made me vomit. Every time I got up to walk around, I would start getting severe head pain again.

I definitely wasn't going to go back to the same hospital, so I went to a new GP. It’s safe to say this doctor saved my life. He listened to my story and got me booked in for an MRI brain scan that afternoon. The tests confirmed that I had suffered a stroke. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, I was 35 years old with no pre-existing issues. I burst into tears. 

While in hospital, one huge issue was on my mind. I was two weeks away from consulting an IVF specialist. A family was something my husband and I had wanted for a very long time., Now this appointment had to be cancelled. My future looked like it was slipping away in an instant. Every doctor I spoke to about pregnancy advised it was probably not a good idea due to risk of another stroke. 

Six months after my stroke I couldn't believe my eyes, a pregnancy test showed up positive. I was over the moon, but extremely stressed. I was eager to see bubs for the first time, but sadly the nine-week scan revealed I had miscarried. My whole world had fallen to pieces all over again. 

Two years went by and no more pregnancies. I was now faced with the same decisions: do we, don't we, will I be ok? I've never been one to give up easily, so I started consulting doctors again to go down the IVF path.  

My obstetrician was amazingly supportive. If it weren't for his support, encouragement and positive attitude towards me having a baby I'm not sure I would have.

He was the only doctor to really focus on the positives and not the negatives. So, we were all set-up for IVF, and as we were waiting for my next cycle to start to begin treatment we were shocked to discover that I was already pregnant! 

Nine weeks down the track, the scans showed a beautiful tiny baby boy with a strong heartbeat. Music to our ears. We were thrilled. 

I was incredibly careful. Tests showed I had a high risk of developing preeclampsia, which of course was a concern with the link of high blood pressure and stroke. I was placed on medication to reduce the risk. My placenta also showed some issues, but we were monitored closely throughout. 

Born at 37 weeks in June 2020, our adorable boy Oliver Joseph Burnet weighing a tiny but healthy 4.7lb (2.1kg) came into the world. We were the happiest and proudest parents you could ever imagine. Something that seemed so far out of reach for so long had finally come into my arms. 

For all the women out there, that think being a mum is not possible after stroke, I'm living proof that it is. Yes, there's risk involved, but I would rather have gone down fighting for what I wanted than not. Most doctors will focus on the negatives, but I'm thankful to my wonderful obstetrician for giving me the hope and encouragement I needed. My husband was also very supportive throughout my decision making which was so important. 

Oliver is now almost 6 months old and I can't imagine our life without him. It was without a doubt the biggest risk I've ever taken but so happy and glad I did. He was worth risking my life for.

As Leanne’s story illustrates, high-quality, supportive health care is vital when planning a pregnancy.

Our StrokeLine team can help you find the support and services you need. StrokeLine is available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Eastern Standard Time. Call 1800 787 653 or email strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au

Leanne’s baby Oliver