From Misdiagnosed Ear Infection to Life-Threatening Aneurysm: Sarah's Inspiring Birth Story of Navigating Stroke While Pregnant

"I found out I was pregnant with Leo during summer 2024. The pregnancy was very special because we had suffered a couple of miscarriages."

In December 2024, a pregnant Sarah, her husband Kyle and their daughter traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, to celebrate Christmas. Both sides of the family were thrilled to see the pregnancy progressing so well.

Contagious Joy to Mysterious Pain

Sarah shares, "I wasn't feeling well over Christmas. As we headed back home to North Carolina, I began to have a debilitating headache that would not go away."

January 5, unable to bear the agonizing pain, Sarah visited her obstetrics office where she was diagnosed with an ear infection. 

"I was told I probably had a lot of sinus pressure causing the headache."

Sarah took prescribed ear infection medication, but she continued to feel poorly, so she visited urgent care. 

"I was in so much pain and not feeling like myself."

During her second medical visit, providers also concluded it was an ear infection, and she would need to endure the condition, completing her medication. But, she was cautioned that if the pain grew worse, she should seek emergency care. 

"On January 9, my husband insisted we visit the emergency department."

While in care, providers noted that Sarah had very high blood pressure, so they transferred her via ambulance to the obstetrics emergency department. They felt she needed more tailored care as high blood pressure could indicate preeclampsia. 

This time, she felt she was taken seriously about the level of her pain.  

"The obstetrician put her hand on my chest as though I were her loved one and told me that she was going to figure out what was wrong. I'd already visited three other providers, and no one else was listening to me. She ordered a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)."

Ear Infection Turned Serious Medical Emergency

The scan showed a 22-millimeter brain aneurysm. The provider immediately had her transferred to their large hospital unit where she would receive coiling for the aneurysm. 

Sarah says, "They told me, 'When we coil your aneurysm, we are going to give you a medically-induced stroke. We have to sacrifice a vessel in your brain to eliminate the aneurysm.'"

Providers explained to Sarah and her husband that in stopping oxygen and blood flow to this part of her brain, she would experience field cut vision loss in her left eye.

Sarah recalls of that moment, "I said, 'Okay, if it's going to save my life, I will take vision loss.'"

When Sarah awoke from the procedure, not only had she lost vision in her left eye, but she also could not feel the left side of her body. The team performed diagnostic scanning to find that another vessel had been clipped during the procedure.

Sarah explains, "A tiny vessel got sacrificed that took out all of my motor function on my left side as well as field cut vision issues in both my right and left eye."

An Introduction to State-of-the-Art Care at WakeMed

Three neurosurgeons assessed Sarah and determined the best next step would be to transfer her into the care of WakeMed.

Sarah says, "They told my husband and me that WakeMed has the best rehab hospital in the state, and I would need aggressive therapy to be able to function normally again one day."

A nervous Sarah was transported by ambulance to WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital on January 10.

"Once I arrived at WakeMed, the gravity of my situation hit me," notes Sarah. "I fully broke down in tears. Then WakeMed recreation therapist, Elizabeth Penny, and therapy dog, Pistachio, walked in my room. I was still in shock and feeling alone. Pistachio licked my tears, which calmed me right down since I'm such a dog lover. It was in that moment, I knew for certain I was finally in good hands."

Care for Mom and Baby with Maternal Fetal Medicine

Simultaneously, Sarah was introduced to Basam Rimawi, MD, FACS, of WakeMed Maternal Fetal Medicine. In light of her complicated situation, she would require therapy, not only for her physical limitations, but also maternal care as she continued to progress in her pregnancy. 

Dr. Rimawi recalls, "I remember the first day I met Sarah and her husband at WakeMed. The fear, the anxiety and the uncertainty of what the future might hold for both her and her unborn child were overwhelming — something most people could never imagine facing. Sitting at her bedside, I spoke with her about what recovery from a stroke during pregnancy could look like. In that moment, my role wasn’t just medical — it was also about reassurance, encouragement and instilling hope. I reminded her that every ounce of fight, every step forward and every moment of courage was leading her toward one of life’s greatest gifts: the birth of her beautiful baby, who one day would know the story of his mother’s strength. Her husband was also strong — a constant source of love and support. If anyone ever needed to see what true devotion in marriage looked like, it was theirs. He stood by her side with unwavering faith, kindness and tenderness. Together, they were the very picture of resilience and partnership."

 

"When I left the hospital that evening, I went home and prayed for Sarah — prayed for her recovery, for her strength and for the blessing of a safe delivery. I prayed that she would not only bring her baby into this world, but also live to hold, nurture and play with her child for years to come. I truly believe God answered those prayers."

A Special Bond in Pregnancy and Therapy at WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital

With maternal fetal medicine care activated, case manager Allison Nelson, came in a bit later and informed Sarah that they were considering placing her with a highly capable pregnant physical therapist named Sara Lingle. However, they wanted Sarah to consider the emotional implications since both women were due around the same time, and the physical therapist was fully functioning. This may be emotionally taxing and draw out vulnerable feelings. 

Sarah explains, "I told them that it would be amazing to work with a pregnant therapist because I was pregnant and non-functional on one side. I already felt like a unicorn. Being with someone who was also pregnant would make me feel like I fit in a bit better in the rehab space." 

The two women instantly connected. With the patient's due date on March 25 and the therapist's due date on March 29, they had quite a bit in common.

"What was even more special," glows Sarah, "is that we have the same first name, her due date is my birthday and we were both having boys. It was like we were destined to meet. She truly was my rock during my time in rehab, giving me confidence and hope."

Sarah spent five days per week and three 60-minute sessions each day, first in the care of Sara Lingle for physical therapy, followed by time with Alison Mattox for occupational therapy and then speech therapist Karen Sprung. The combined interventions were meant to help Sarah work on higher level skills for return to work as a realtor and to practice schedule and household management as a mom. Sarah's main desire was to confidently hold her son with her left arm while nursing him. She progressively regained her confidence and function on her left side. She was also encouraged to seek treatment after discharge for her vision at a private practice, incorporating light therapy.

Therapist Sara Lingle observes, "Her therapy was spent working on not only newborn care with her new left-sided strength and sensation impairments but also on toddler care to be confident taking care of her daughter by doing her hair, getting her dressed and doing bath time. We also organized a session with the WakeMed CPR instructor to learn how to do infant CPR. We worked every day on baby wearing, carrying an infant and fastening the snaps and zippers of baby clothes. As therapist and patient, Sarah and I also bonded because I was going to be a first-time mom, and Sarah gave me so many recommendations and advice, helping me feel ready and empowered for the next chapter of my life."

Home to Continue Growing Her Baby

To her delight, Sarah was discharged home from WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital on Valentine's Day, February 14 — to spend time with family for the remaining weeks of her pregnancy. The rehab team made graduation shirts for Sarah and her soon-coming baby. 

In the meantime, Sarah continued visiting Dr. Rimawi. 

"Despite everything she faced," Dr. Rimawi expresses, "Sarah remained one of the sweetest and most caring patients I have ever met. Even in moments of fear, she still smiled, still expressed gratitude and still found reasons to be hopeful. I can vividly remember reviewing her ultrasound images with her and her husband, pointing out just how healthy and strong their baby looked. Each reassurance lit up her spirit and gave her the push she needed to keep fighting. I have had the privilege of coaching many patients through some of the darkest, most difficult seasons of their lives, but Sarah’s story stands apart. She made one of the hardest battles look possible. She is a role model for courage, perseverance and grace." 

"My abilities and self-reliance on my left side are exponentially better," remarks Sarah, "and I'm grateful for that, but I still have very little sensation on the left. I would say it is about 15 percent. At all times, it is numb and tingly. I was told it takes about a year to stabilize how much feeling sensation will return, so I'll have a better gauge by January 2026. Meanwhile, I just keep moving because I am a mom."

A Beautifully Personalized Delivery in WakeMed Labor & Delivery

Sarah returned to Raleigh Campus on March 18 for a scheduled induction to deliver her son under the watchful care of WakeMed obstetrician and gynecologist, Angela Gantt, MD, FACOG. 

"Sarah is remarkable and was making incredible strides in recovery. Her medical team did not think labor would detract from her progress so offered her an induction of labor around her due date to optimize her labor and delivery experience as well as ensure a multidisciplinary team was available in case of any neurologic issues. The pure joy as Leo entered the world was unforgettable."

Leo was a lucky boy — born just after St. Patrick's Day in perfect health with no complications and weighing eight pounds. 

Sarah smiles, "The whole experience was beautiful. I remember Dr. Gantt and I both cried because it was all so emotional. I told her, 'Thank you so much for keeping me safe, and thank you for keeping my baby safe.' I joked with my husband that I would happily have five more babies if I could go to WakeMed each time."

Dr. Rimawi shared with Sarah in the delight of Leo's incredible birthday.

He says, "Today, I am overjoyed to see her continuing to recover while embracing the joys of motherhood with her beautiful baby in her arms. Her journey is a living testimony of faith, love, and resilience. Sarah, you are an inspiration. I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers — for your health, for your strength and for a future filled with blessings. God bless you always."

Life Reimagined as a Recovering Mom of Two

Initially, Sarah was nervous about holding Leo in her left arm to nurse, but she was empowered through lactation consultation, and within four months, she felt very comfortable in her ability to independently care for her son. 

Sarah observes, "Postpartum is different this time around — in a good way. With my daughter, I had a lot of anxiety as a first-time mom. With Leo, I'm more at peace because of what we've endured. Babies are simple. They don't require perfection; they just need love. That's exactly what I give. I am so thankful to continue being a mom, loving my babies."

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WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital

The Rehabilitation Hospital is a 73-bed, nationally ranked, specialty program and CARF-accredited rehabilitation hospital in Raleigh, NC, offering inpatient rehab for adults and children. We offer specialty rehab programming for spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, limb loss and pediatric patients. Our team consists of highly experienced therapists who specialize in treating the most complex patients. With the positive support of our team of physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, neuropsychologists, nurses, case managers and physicians, our patients work hard to achieve the best possible outcomes and return to their lives.

WakeMed offers a full continuum of physical rehabilitation services from the acute care settings in all three hospitals, through inpatient rehab in the CARF-accredited Rehabilitation Hospital, to multi-disciplinary outpatient rehabilitation and home health.  

WakeMed Women's

Our multidisciplinary team of maternal fetal physicians, genetic counselors, sonographers and nurses provides a wide range of specialized services for women who have a high-risk pregnancy. You can rely on the expertise and experience of our team — which includes 9 board-certified Fetal Echocardiography sonographers — to provide you the best quality care. This includes women who are at increased risk for genetic disorders due to advanced maternal age or family history, women who are experiencing or have a history of pregnancy complications and women with preexisting medical conditions that might adversely affect a pregnancy outcome.

In pregnancy and childbirth, we care for you and your baby in an environment designed for the needs of pregnant women. Our around-the-clock specialty trained care teams are here to walk alongside you each step of the way.

We offer exceptional quality in all three of our birthing centers.