Stroke and pregnancy

New Mother Nearly Died After Suffering Stroke

Jenny Hollowood-Smith, a 29-year old from Leyland, Lancashire, England, suffered a mini stroke a week after enduring labor with her son Corey in August of 2011. A stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is the rapid loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. A stroke happens when blood flow to a part of the brain stops.

The traumatic event temporarily blinded Jenny in the right eye, and she experienced bizarre tingling in her extremities. She sought immediate medical help. Doctors initially feared she would either be severely disabled or die. Thankfully, there were no life-long permanent aftereffects of the stroke, but she spent months recovering from the frightening ordeal.

After her stroke, Jenny took the opportunity to re-examine her life, deciding to live with no regrets. She left her job and married Graham Smith, Corey’s father, in a fairytale wedding. As a new wife and mother, Jenny invested into her own business, a bridal boutique called Personal Touch Bridal.

According to Jenny, per The Daily Mail:

“I just realized how short life is and how you just have to make the most out of every single day. It’s been like a whirlwind since it happened and getting married was just the perfect way to put my wedding planning skills to the test before opening my own shop.”

MSNBC reports, the majority of stroke risk rises in pregnancy in part because of a higher volume of blood but also because of increased high blood pressure, potential blood clots, and migraine headaches. Dramatic fluctuations in hormones and blood pressure in the weeks after giving birth may increase risk of having a stroke.

USA Today suggests that likely stroke sufferers get help fast as soon as symptoms appear. Seeking immediate medical attention is essential in preventing long-term damage. The warning signs of a stroke are sudden onset of any of the following: numbness or weakness on one side, severe headache with no known cause, confusion, and trouble walking, speaking or seeing.

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