Understanding Motherhood After Stroke Occurring During Pregnancy, Childbirth, or the Postpartum Period: An...

Background/Objectives: Stroke during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period is uncommon but may substantially affect women's everyday functioning and maternal roles. This study aimed to characterize functional independence, occupational performance and satisfaction, and quality of life in women who had a stroke during these periods and to explore their lived experiences of motherhood. Methods: An exploratory mixed-methods study used sequential complementary quantitative and qualitative components. Eleven women completed quantitative assessments of functional independence, occupational performance and satisfaction, and quality of life. Six women participated in semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically by three researchers, and findings were integrated during interpretation. Results: Participants showed relatively high functional independence, with a median Functional Independence Measure total score of 111 (interquartile range = 8). Qualitative findings revealed disruption and gradual redefinition of the maternal role, difficulties in mother-child bonding and childcare, physical, cognitive, and emotional sequelae, reliance on family support, and perceived gaps between stroke-related care and motherhood-related needs. Integration of the findings showed that relatively preserved basic independence could coexist with substantial difficulties in maternal activities, while occupational priorities frequently related to childcare and family life. Conclusions: Motherhood after stroke involves challenges that may not be adequately captured by general measures of independence. The findings identify meaningful maternal occupations and the integration of stroke-related and motherhood-related needs as areas warranting further investigation within person-centered rehabilitation.