Childbirth Increases Risk of Stroke

Childbirth increases risk of stroke, this is according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) who conducted a study to determine the risk of stroke during pregnancy.

The NINDS study showed that the risk of stroke during pregnancy is highest in the postpartum period or 6 weeks after childbirth, that ischemic stroke is 9 times higher after pregnancy, and that hemorrhagic stroke is 28 times higher for postpartum women.

NINDS also cited in their website that other studies have also demonstrated pregnancy and childbirth as risk factors to stroke for women in as much as 13 times. This actually increases over time, after each childbirth.

"Pregnancy and childbirth cause strokes in approximately eight in 100,000 women. Unfortunately, 25% of strokes during pregnancy end in death, and hemorrhagic strokes, though rare, are still the leading cause of maternal death in the United States," the NINDS website said.

Though the cause of this phenomena is undetermined as of yet, NINDS notes that a possible factor is the hormonal changes occurring during pregnancy and childbirth and at the end of the childbearing years (menopause) that can increase the risk of stroke.

A study conducted by the Medical College of Georgia could also give enlightenment to this issue. The study notes that in every pregnancy, the blood volume increases about 50% to accommodate the increased demands from the placenta and baby alongside with the increase in heart rate to help circulate the extra blood. It is probable that during this time, the sudden pressure in the volume of the blood pushes for the occurrence of hemorrhagic stroke.

In a similar vein, a study, lead by Dr. Byung-Woo Yoon, investigated the underlying reasons between childbirth and stroke risk over a woman's life. Conducted at the Seoul National University Hospital in Korea, the study showed that multiple births further strain and stress the blood vessel and other body systems causing stroke risk to be higher in women during pregnancy and childbirth.

The study showed hemorrhagic stroke risk increased by 27% with each additional birth over time. It also revealed that women who had four or more childbirths had nearly a threefold higher risk of stroke as compared to women who have not had a child yet or had only one childbirth. Dr. Yoon's study shows hard evidence that childbirth influences the hardening or weakening of blood cells.

Childbirth increases the risk of stroke over time for women. These are some of the consequences that come with the beautiful miracle of childbirth that shows how much a woman sacrifices for the love of her child.