I had a stroke when I was eight weeks pregnant
February 12, 2018
By Tara-Lee Henry
I was 28 years old, eight weeks pregnant and feeling very ordinary. I was at home in Cairns on the couch with my 16 month old daughter Evelyn – and we both had gastro. ¬While this isn’t a pretty picture in itself I had no idea it would be the start of the biggest health scare I had ever experienced.
I headed to a scheduled check-up with my obstetrician. After I parked my car, I had sudden pain in my head and felt like I was going to pass out. I gathered myself and slowly walked towards the obstetrician’s office. When I eventually reached the reception desk, I told the staff I felt unwell and thought I was going to faint.
My obstetrician saw me immediately. By then I was also experiencing intense pins and needles down the left side of my body. He thought these symptoms suggested I was having an ectopic pregnancy and drove me to the hospital himself thinking it would be quicker than an ambulance.
While driving towards the hospital, he told me if it was an ectopic pregnancy, I would be prepped for theatre to remove the baby for my own well-being. The situation was frightening and overwhelming.
My ultrasound thankfully confirmed the baby was in the correct position and had a good heartbeat, but my symptoms remained. I felt incredibly disoriented. I struggled to remain conscious and was still scared for my baby.
Then further tests confirmed I had suffered a stroke.
While the thought of a stroke had crossed my mind, the news still came as a shock. I grappled with the diagnosis. It seemed impossible because I was only 28 years old. I thought stroke was something that only happened to people later in life. I now know this is not the case – 30 percent of stroke survivors are of working age just like me. Pregnant women are also more at risk of having a stroke due to high blood pressure or preeclampsia. I was told my stroke was a combination of being pregnant and dehydrated.
I was in hospital for a week which was extremely hard for me as it was also the first time I’d been away from my little girl Evelyn. I was extremely emotional when my husband Garry brought Evelyn in to see me. I couldn’t carry or hold her due to nerve damage to the left side of my body. Even now, I still can't carry her much so we spend a lot of time cuddling in our chair.
I couldn’t walk for a few days, but after working with a physiotherapist, I started getting around my hospital room with a walker. I was also learning how to use my left arm and hand. It was daunting trying to envision myself going home. I didn’t know how I would cope caring for my toddler when I needed someone to care for me too.
I am so grateful my mum was able and willing to take three weeks off work to look after me when I was at my worst. Life doesn’t stop and my husband had to keep working to support our family financially.
I’ve faced many challenges since returning home including finding the stamina to care for my family, whilst still being pregnant and accepting it will be a long process for recovery. With the nerve damage, I celebrate the small victories as they happen. I also focus on how lucky I am as opposed to falling into a trap of feeling sorry for myself.
I have found music therapy really beneficial to my recovery. I’ve also learnt to find my new limits and not push myself. Being pregnant can cause delays in the recovery process. Accepting help from others and not being ashamed to ask for help has been important too.
Garry, my family and my friends have been so supportive, which has been imperative for my mental wellbeing. They’ve celebrated each victory and been compassionate on my bad days.
One thing I've thought a lot about since having my stroke is our wedding vows ‘in sickness and health’. I think often about Garry continuing to love me even when he has never seen me so broken. I feel so lucky to be still here, living our life together with our daughter. His unrelenting love for me has helped me find strength within myself I never knew I possessed.
I’ve been told I’m looking at two years before I make full recovery from my stroke, but I’ve recently returned to work three days per week and will work until I reach the 34 week mark in my pregnancy. It’s been a big step and I’m really fortunate my boss has been so supportive and accommodating during this time. Heading back to work has given me the confidence I can live life well after stroke.
While the last three months have been challenging to say in the least, I am lucky to be here with my family and I can’t wait for our newest little addition to arrive in April (2018).
I am so thankful for the quick actions of the health professionals around me. I’ve leant that when you have a stroke brain cells die at a rate of up to 1.9 million a minute, so the faster medical treatment is sought the greater the chance of survival and recovery.
As my story shows, stroke can happen to anyone, but it is not a death sentence. While my recovery will take time, hard work and patience, I can look to the future with hope.
I’m a wife, a mum, a worker and a stroke survivor.
I was 28 years old, eight weeks pregnant and feeling very ordinary. I was at home in Cairns on the couch with my 16 month old daughter Evelyn – and we both had gastro. ¬While this isn’t a pretty picture in itself I had no idea it would be the start of the biggest health scare I had ever experienced.
I headed to a scheduled check-up with my obstetrician. After I parked my car, I had sudden pain in my head and felt like I was going to pass out. I gathered myself and slowly walked towards the obstetrician’s office. When I eventually reached the reception desk, I told the staff I felt unwell and thought I was going to faint.
My obstetrician saw me immediately. By then I was also experiencing intense pins and needles down the left side of my body. He thought these symptoms suggested I was having an ectopic pregnancy and drove me to the hospital himself thinking it would be quicker than an ambulance.
While driving towards the hospital, he told me if it was an ectopic pregnancy, I would be prepped for theatre to remove the baby for my own well-being. The situation was frightening and overwhelming.
My ultrasound thankfully confirmed the baby was in the correct position and had a good heartbeat, but my symptoms remained. I felt incredibly disoriented. I struggled to remain conscious and was still scared for my baby.
Then further tests confirmed I had suffered a stroke.
While the thought of a stroke had crossed my mind, the news still came as a shock. I grappled with the diagnosis. It seemed impossible because I was only 28 years old. I thought stroke was something that only happened to people later in life. I now know this is not the case – 30 percent of stroke survivors are of working age just like me. Pregnant women are also more at risk of having a stroke due to high blood pressure or preeclampsia. I was told my stroke was a combination of being pregnant and dehydrated.
I was in hospital for a week which was extremely hard for me as it was also the first time I’d been away from my little girl Evelyn. I was extremely emotional when my husband Garry brought Evelyn in to see me. I couldn’t carry or hold her due to nerve damage to the left side of my body. Even now, I still can't carry her much so we spend a lot of time cuddling in our chair.
I couldn’t walk for a few days, but after working with a physiotherapist, I started getting around my hospital room with a walker. I was also learning how to use my left arm and hand. It was daunting trying to envision myself going home. I didn’t know how I would cope caring for my toddler when I needed someone to care for me too.
I am so grateful my mum was able and willing to take three weeks off work to look after me when I was at my worst. Life doesn’t stop and my husband had to keep working to support our family financially.
I’ve faced many challenges since returning home including finding the stamina to care for my family, whilst still being pregnant and accepting it will be a long process for recovery. With the nerve damage, I celebrate the small victories as they happen. I also focus on how lucky I am as opposed to falling into a trap of feeling sorry for myself.
I have found music therapy really beneficial to my recovery. I’ve also learnt to find my new limits and not push myself. Being pregnant can cause delays in the recovery process. Accepting help from others and not being ashamed to ask for help has been important too.
Garry, my family and my friends have been so supportive, which has been imperative for my mental wellbeing. They’ve celebrated each victory and been compassionate on my bad days.
One thing I've thought a lot about since having my stroke is our wedding vows ‘in sickness and health’. I think often about Garry continuing to love me even when he has never seen me so broken. I feel so lucky to be still here, living our life together with our daughter. His unrelenting love for me has helped me find strength within myself I never knew I possessed.
I’ve been told I’m looking at two years before I make full recovery from my stroke, but I’ve recently returned to work three days per week and will work until I reach the 34 week mark in my pregnancy. It’s been a big step and I’m really fortunate my boss has been so supportive and accommodating during this time. Heading back to work has given me the confidence I can live life well after stroke.
While the last three months have been challenging to say in the least, I am lucky to be here with my family and I can’t wait for our newest little addition to arrive in April (2018).
I am so thankful for the quick actions of the health professionals around me. I’ve leant that when you have a stroke brain cells die at a rate of up to 1.9 million a minute, so the faster medical treatment is sought the greater the chance of survival and recovery.
As my story shows, stroke can happen to anyone, but it is not a death sentence. While my recovery will take time, hard work and patience, I can look to the future with hope.
I’m a wife, a mum, a worker and a stroke survivor.