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Mom's Stroke During Pregnancy Revealed Rare Brain Condition
17 Oct
Summary
- A pregnant woman's stroke led to the diagnosis of a rare, lifelong neurological condition.
- The condition, Moyamoya disease, caused debilitating headaches and seizures since childhood.
- She experienced strokes and an emergency C-section at 35 weeks pregnant.
A Texas mom, Molly Poenitzsch, discovered she had been born with a rare neurological condition after experiencing strokes during her pregnancy. Poenitzsch, now 40, had suffered from debilitating headaches since she was seven years old, which doctors initially treated with medication. A severe seizure at age 14 led to the disappearance of these headaches, but she later experienced symptoms suggestive of a transient ischemic attack.
At 35 weeks pregnant with her third child, Poenitzsch suffered a serious stroke, followed by two more during her 16-day hospitalization. Her baby girl, Rose, was delivered early via emergency C-section. During her recovery, doctors diagnosed Poenitzsch with Moyamoya disease, a condition characterized by narrowed or blocked brain arteries that can lead to strokes and bleeding.
Having recovered significantly, Poenitzsch, a physical therapist, has returned to work. She now advocates for others to pursue answers for unexplained symptoms, emphasizing that early diagnosis and intervention can be life-saving. Her experience highlights the importance of understanding and addressing neurological issues.
