Pregnancy/IVF after STROKE????

shauna43 · February 2016

Hi ladies,
Has anyone been allowed to get pregnant or more importantly do IVF after a ICH stroke? I had a ICH stoke in december and my RE will not allow IVF unless I am cleared by a high risk obgyn. My high risk obgyn told me that " I should never ever get pregnant". Of course i was devastated. He referred me to a MFM ( maternal fetal medicine specialist). I hope this dr can help me? also I got a new obgyn because he ovbviously didnt want to help me. I have been struggling with infertility for 8 years. I have had a hydrosalpinx which has been my main fertility issue.I have a ESSURE to block my hydro. SO basically I have tubal issues and IVF is my only option to have children. I have no children and I am 36 years old. Does anyone have any advice or hope?

NurseTMD85 · February 2016

I don't personally have experience with this, but I would think that there is some sort of medication regimen they could put you on to minimize your risk of stroke during and after pregnancy. Fx this is not the end for you! Sending lots of hugs! Keep us posted on the MFM appointment!

2015dee · February 2016

I haven't had a stroke either, but I'm wondering if Lovenox during pregnancy would be an option to prevent blood clotting? But it looks like your stroke was due to hemorrhaging? Do they know what caused it?

shauna43 · February 2016

Yes my was a hemorrhage stroke which is pretty rare, especially for my age according to neurologist. SO i can not have any blood thinner at all. I just had my last ct scan with dye last fri and it came back normal and strong with no evidence of any deformed vein structure or sign or aneurysm. They basically have NO IDEA why this happened to me. I am thinking about going to a different neurologist. I like him but he has horrible reviews from others. I just feel hopeless...but i really appreciate both your kind words @NurseTMD85 and @2015dee

2015dee · February 2016

I think getting a second opinion would be a great option!

HBamama2B · February 2016

I would get second opinions all around, but if the risks for a repeat are high you may want to consider alternatives. During pregnancy, your blood volume and heart rate increase significantly. It also wrecks havoc on your blood pressure, both up and down as your body tries to make and deal with the extra blood volume. There is a lot of strain on your body during IVF and labor as well. The MFM specialist will be able to give you a clearer picture of potential complications and an additional clearance that the issue is not likely to recur from another neurologist may go a long way to clearing you for IVF. Best of luck!!

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt · February 2016

Pregnancy can cause stroke (haemorrhagic and ischaemic) and pregnant women are already more likely to experience a stroke than similar-aged nonpregnant women, so with a history of unexplained ICH, I'd assume your physicians are going to be extremely worried about the risks of a re-bleed.

A haemorrhagic stroke in a relatively young woman with no identifiable vascular issues could also raise questions about bleeding problems. You mention never being allowed blood thinners, so you should definitely talk to your doctors about your bleeding risk because coagulation problems and pregnancy are challenging.

The MFM definitely should be able to give you more information and look at your risk factors. I hope they will have some answers for you. I'm very sorry to hear this has happened as I'm sure it is very difficult to deal with and I hope your recovery from your stroke has been going well.

etruelove · February 2016

I know many ppl who have had blood clots and the protocol for ivf or pregnancy is to be on lovenox

shauna43 · April 2016

I just wanted to update...to maybe give hope to anyone else. I am able to do ivf. My mfm cleared me and told me my risks but left it up to me to go forth. I am so happy that I am still able to have a baby of my own. I understand the risks and i am willing to take it. I go in for my trial transfer tomorrow and should be having my ER by next month. Thank you for all the comments especially the positive ones

LadyMillil · April 2016

Good luck.

meli123k · April 2016

@shauna43 I'm so glad you are ok after such a traumatic experience! I hope there were no lasting effects. I too had a stroke, but it was several years back and due to a clot. The doctors never found a cause and assume it was because I was on birth control pills at the time, so I stopped those right away and now take a baby aspirin daily. I understand the frustration it can cause for ttc though

I've had to get statements from a MFM dr. (who I will continue to see if I get pregnant) and my neurologist before I started fertility meds, since they can up the chances of blood clots. I'm glad you are able to continue on your journey and I have my fingers crossed for you! I was told similarly that as long as I understand the risks and am willing to take those risks, I can proceed with treatment. While I believe the risk is worth it, it does scare me some days. But I trust everything will be ok and I have good drs. on my side

Good luck!!!

Monica54321 · April 2016

@shauna43 - I don't have any experience with a stroke, but I did have a blood clot & pulmonary embolism which disrupted our TTC. I know how sucky it is to be focused on conceiving only to have this other seemingly random, serious medical issue pop up that derails everything!

shauna43 · April 2016

@meli23k @monica54321 Thank you so much for your stories and Im sorry you both had to go thru this. Its such a painful journey and then to add something like this....its BEYOND devastating. Im glad we are all here and healthy. My hemorrhage was also completely random. no cause or answer. I actually got my IVF scheduale today

I couldnt be happier and i pray all of us can stay healthy in this process !

Monica54321 · April 2016

@shauna43 - Glad you were able to get IVF scheduled!

For now, I'm trying to not worry about clots during pregnancy and just focus on getting pregnant first... take things one step at a time. If I think about everything all at once, I just drive myself crazy.

meli123k · April 2016

@shauna43 That's awesome, so glad you were able to get it scheduled!

@monica54321 Good plan! My head is always filled with thoughts and worries about ttc and I often have to remind myself to just take it one step at a time.

Good luck!

shauna43 · May 2016

Hi all,
Just a quick update. I have been on lupron for a week now....started AF today...mothers day...yeah life loves to do these ironic things. Anyway I should start stims this friday. I have a baseline and ultrasound tues

excited!

shauna43 · May 2016

I'm on night 7 of stims...had ultrasound on day 5. So far 12 eggs growing. Should have a better idea on sat. Egg retreival going to be tues most likely!

shauna43 · July 2016

Just a update incase I can help anyone in a similar situation. I had ER may 24. I got 16 eggs...12 mature...8 fertilized....5 to blast ( 2 day 6 and 3 day 7 blasts). 3 passed pgs testing (all girls) and 1 was inconclusive and getting ready tested eventually. Transfer set Aug 2.

meli123k · July 2016

@shauna43 So glad things are going well and good luck with your transfer!!! I am starting to consider IVF if my IUI#3 doesn't work, so it's encouraging to hear it is an option for those with history of stroke.

shauna43 · July 2016

@meli123k good luck on your iui! I hope you don't have to do ivf. Are you currently in the tww?

meli123k · July 2016

Thanks @shauna43! I got a negative beta yesterday on IUI#2, so now I'm just waiting for AF so I can start cycle IUI#3!

shauna43 · July 2016

@meli123k AWWWW sorry to hear that. Good luck on iui #3. Wishing a BFP and you dont have to go thru IVF. how many follicles did you get?

meli123k · July 2016

@shauna43 Thank you!! Last two IUIs I had one follicle at 18mm and one smaller one (I think 12-14mm). I think the RE would have waited for them to mature a bit more except that my body had already started the surge both times so we just went with it. This time I'm giving femara a try instead of clomid because clomid also thinned my lining, so I'm hoping the femara might give better results!

*edit because phone cut off

shauna43 · July 2016

@meli123k Hows it going? any update?

meli123k · July 2016

@shauna43 Sorry for the late reply, I've been on a bit of a hiatus from the boards since I had to cancel IUI#3

My thyroid is still not quite stable. I take another blood test at the end of this month and hopefully my thyroid levels will be good so we can proceed with an August IUI. DH & I met with our RE earlier this month to discuss the possibility of IVF. We felt lot better afterwards, our RE was so patient with all our questions and concerns, although I'm still wrapping my mind around it. He wants me to speak with a couple other specialists as a precaution, but thinks we should be fine to do IVF if the time comes. For now he wants me to get my thyroid stable and then give IUI another chance.

I hope all is going well with you! Transfer isn't far off now, yay!

Want a personalized experience?

Pregnancy/IVF after STROKE????

Re: Pregnancy/IVF after STROKE????

Choose Another Board

Search Boards