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Pregnancy‐Associated Stroke
Author(s) -
Sanders Bethany D.,
Davis Melissa G.,
Holley Sharon L.,
Phillippi Julia C.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of midwifery and women's health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.543
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1542-2011
pISSN - 1526-9523
DOI - 10.1111/jmwh.12720
Subject(s) - medicine , pregnancy , stroke (engine) , maternal death , cause of death , intensive care medicine , incidence (geometry) , postpartum period , emergency medicine , obstetrics , disease , population , mechanical engineering , biology , genetics , physics , environmental health , optics , engineering
Cerebrovascular accident, or stroke, is the fourth leading cause of death for all women and the eighth leading cause of pregnancy‐associated death. The physiologic changes of pregnancy increase the risk of cerebrovascular accident for women. With current incidence rates, a facility with 3300 births per year can anticipate caring for one woman with a pregnancy‐related stroke at least every 2 years. All maternity care providers must be able to assess women experiencing stroke‐like symptoms and initiate timely care to mitigate brain tissue damage, decrease long‐term morbidity, and prevent mortality. The 2 main types of stroke, ischemic and hemorrhagic, have similar presenting symptoms but very different pathophysiology and treatment. This article reviews assessment and initial treatment of pregnant and postpartum women experiencing stroke and provides guidance for subsequent maternity and primary care to assist front‐line perinatal care providers who may be the first to treat affected women or may resume primary care after diagnosis.