'They Sent Me Home' — Why Stroke Symptoms in Pregnant Women Are So Often Missed | Stronger After Stroke

Episode 46

'They Sent Me Home' — Why Stroke Symptoms in Pregnant Women Are So Often Missed | Stronger After Stroke

Pregnancy and the postpartum period are often viewed as times of joy and recovery, but they can also be periods of increased risk for serious neurological complications. In this episode of "Stronger After Stroke," Rosa Hart, BSN, R.N., SCRN, host and stroke nurse navigator, Norton Neuroscience Institute, sits down with Eliza C. Miller, M.D., M.S., one of the nation's leading physicians in women's cerebrovascular health, to discuss the often overlooked reality of stroke during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

More than one in four pregnant and postpartum women who experience a stroke had already sought medical attention for their symptoms before the stroke was recognized. Symptoms such as severe headache, confusion or neck pain are often mistaken for common pregnancy-related discomforts, creating dangerous delays in diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Miller shares her expertise on why these diagnostic gaps persist and what patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals need to know to improve outcomes.

As neurologist and chief of women's neurology at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, Dr. Miller leads one of only two dedicated divisions of women's neurology in the United States and directs a nationally recognized maternal stroke program. Her work focuses on advancing research, education and awareness around women's brain health and maternal stroke.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

· Why pregnancy and the postpartum period significantly increase stroke risk and the physiological changes behind that risk

· Stroke symptoms beyond BE-FAST that pregnant and postpartum women should never ignore, including severe headache, neck pain and confusion

· Why more than 25% of maternal stroke patients had already been evaluated by a healthcare provider before receiving the correct diagnosis

· The knowledge gaps that exist across obstetrics, emergency medicine and neurology when caring for women with neurological symptoms

· What an appropriate clinical response should look like when a pregnant or postpartum woman presents with possible stroke symptoms

· The research still needed to better understand maternal stroke and how a national patient registry could improve care

· An important message for stroke survivors who felt their symptoms were dismissed during pregnancy or after childbirth

One of the most persistent challenges in maternal stroke care is that warning signs often do not fit the traditional picture of stroke, causing both patients and providers to underestimate their significance. Dr. Miller's message is clear: awareness, education and timely evaluation save lives. When neurological symptoms occur during pregnancy or the postpartum period, they deserve serious attention.

Whether you are a stroke survivor, an expectant or new parent, a caregiver or a healthcare professional, this episode provides valuable insight into one of the most important and underrecognized areas of stroke care today.

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For more support after stroke, check out the programs available both virtually and in person through Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Centers: https://nortonhealthcare.com/services-and-conditions/neurosciences/patient-resources/resource-center/

If you enjoyed this podcast, listen to Norton Healthcare's "MedChat" podcast, available in your favorite podcast app. "MedChat" provides continuing medical education on the go and is targeted toward physicians and clinicians. Norton Healthcare, a not-for-profit healthcare system, is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients throughout Greater Louisville, Southern Indiana, the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. A strong research program provides access to clinical trials in a multitude of areas. More information about Norton Healthcare is available at NortonHealthcare.com

Date of original release: Sept.14, 2026