Londonderry Mother Recounts Shock After Newborn Suffers Stroke

A mother from Londonderry has shared her astonishment after her newborn baby experienced a stroke, describing the period as an “overwhelming and scary” time for their family. Anna was delivered in June 2023 via emergency Caesarean section (C-section) and initially appeared healthy. However, after several days, her mother, Lauren Duncan, began to observe her making “strange repeated rhythmical movements.” “Never in a million years did I think a baby could have a stroke,” Lauren conveyed to BBC News NI. She added, “Everything was a blur at that time and we didn’t really know how to process it.” Anna was subsequently transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where she underwent testing and monitoring. A week later, medical professionals conducted a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of Anna’s brain, which revealed signs of a perinatal stroke—a stroke that occurs either in the womb or shortly after birth. “Once the stroke was detected, everything was so fast-paced we went from knowing nothing to knowing too much in the space of a few minutes,” Lauren told BBC Radio Foyle. She continued, “We were given an endless list of likelihoods for Anna’s development and that they weren’t going to be straightforward.” “One of the first things we were told was that she may not smile, she may not talk , she may not walk, she might not have any understanding.” Lauren found this “horrendous” as a parent, stating, “the first few weeks waiting for her to smile were really dark and really hard to process.” She concluded, “We eventually did get that smile and it was the best day ever.” Anna’s mother expressed her belief that early intervention had been “life-changing” for her daughter’s development. “She has been going to occupational therapy, speech therapy and physiotherapy since she was about four weeks old.” Lauren informed Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme, adding, “We celebrate every win, she is a miracle and brings so much joy to everyone who meets her.” Lauren and Craig reported that they contacted the Stroke Association’s Childhood Support Team and expressed immense gratitude for their assistance. Lauren stated, “The lady on the call listened to me for hours and provided our whole family with support and guidance. I will be forever grateful for this call.” Lauren and Craig also received peer support from another mother who was on the “same journey” as them. Lauren commented, “She provided us with so much hope that our future would be brighter and happier times would come.” She further noted, “She is a friend that I never knew I needed and in turn I can pass on her advice to more parents and caregivers.” Lauren also discussed future changes she hopes to see implemented. She articulated, “The short term goal is that we get more information into hospitals, information leaflets, helpline numbers, that are all there for parents so they don’t have to go searching for them.” She added, “We would love to have a childhood stroke register so that any child that has a stroke gets registered. That will open so much more doors for research and development on why this is happening, how often it’s happening, and there’ll be more support for families if it’s registered that there’s a need for this service.” Alasdair O’Hara, Northern Ireland Director at the Stroke Association, stated: “Connecting with others affected by stroke is often the most important thing in helping to recover.” He continued, “Sharing your experiences can help you understand stroke and learn new ways to cope.” Mr. O’Hara further mentioned that each year, over 4,000 individuals in Northern Ireland confront the “devastating reality of having had a stroke.” He explained that the charity provides support to survivors and their loved ones, and helps connect people. “From the moment they enter the new and frightening post-stroke world, we’re here to help survivors find their strength and their way back to life,” he affirmed. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to parts of the brain is cut off, leading to the death of some cells. They are common and can affect individuals of all ages, but many patients survive if they receive prompt treatment. All strokes differ, depending on the specific part of the brain that is damaged. For some individuals, the effects may be relatively minor and short-lived, while others may be left with more serious long-term problems. If you suspect that you or someone else is experiencing a stroke, call emergency services—999 in the UK—immediately and request an ambulance. The primary symptoms of stroke can be remembered using the acronym FAST: Face – drooping Arms – unable to lift both and keep them there. Speech – slurred, garbled or unresponsive Time – dial 999 immediately Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.