The risk of ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) during pregnancy and the first 6 weeks postpartum is 2.4 times greater than for non-pregnant women of similar age and race.
The risk of ischemic stroke during pregnancy is not increased during pregnancy, per se, but is increased 8.7 fold during the 6 weeks postpartum.
ICH showed a small relative risk (RR) of 2.5 during pregnancy, but increased dramatically to a RR of 28.3 in the 6 weeks post partum.
Take Home Point: Your suspicion for true stroke should heighten in pregnant and post-partum patients, particularly for ICH and ischemic stroke during the the first 6 weeks after delivery.
References
Kittner SJ, Stern BJ, Feeser BR, Hebel R, Nagey DA, Buchholz DW, Earley CJ, Johnson CJ, Macko RF, Sloan MA, Wityk RJ, Wozniak MA. Pregnancy and the risk of stroke. N Engl J Med. 1996;335:768-774.
