KIRSTY WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK IN APRIL 2024 WHEN SHE BEGAN TO LOSE FEELING IN HER RIGHT FOOT SOPHIE BUCHAN Money and Lifestyle Writer and SWNSPEARSON (KATIE PEARSON SWNS) 13:40, 28 May

2025Updated 13:42, 28 May 2025 A Merseyside woman found out she was pregnant after suffering a stroke while driving - nearly losing her unborn child in the process. Kirsty Woodhouse was en

route to work in April 2024 when she suddenly lost sensation in her right foot. The 35 year old noticed her face "drooping" in the rear-view mirror and immediately recognised she

was having a stroke. Despite her speech being slurred over the phone, she managed to call for an ambulance and was swiftly taken to Whiston Hospital. Her partner, Mark, 39, who is a

10READ MORE: Spain alert with 'intense' travel warning for popular resort Medical professionals warned her that the urgent scans and treatment she required could potentially lead

to a miscarriage. However, Kirsty felt she had "no choice" but to proceed. Despite fears of losing the baby and never regaining her ability to walk, Kirsty began to regain

mobility. At 12 weeks, an ultrasound revealed that her baby girl had a "healthy heartbeat". Their daughter, Grace, was born on December 18, 2024, at Whiston Hospital, weighing 8lb

2oz. She joined her siblings, Ryan, 16, and Conor, seven. Kirsty, who works as an independent advocate for a charity in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, said: "I was active and healthy

before. It came out of nowhere with no prior warning. "The symptoms struck suddenly while driving - losing feeling and slurred words. Doctors warned me the treatment and scans could

cause a miscarriage. "I felt like I was choosing between myself and my baby. But Grace is here and she's amazing. She came just before Christmas - it was a lovely way to end a

difficult year." READ MORE: Exactly how much paid holiday your boss has to give you by lawREAD MORE: Highway Code ambulance rule that could cost you £1,000 Kirsty had just dropped her

two eldest children off at school in April 2024 when she noticed the right side of her face "drooping". "I thought something was wrong with the car," she recalled.

"But I realised the 'revving' sounds was my foot pressing the pedal and I couldn't feel it. I knew it was a stroke but I could barely get my words out when I called

999." Paramedics rushed her to hospital, where Kirsty's symptoms - including one side paralysis and slurred words - were "on and off" for hours. It was later determined

she was experiencing transient ischemic attacks (TIA) - also known as "mini strokes". READ MORE: Turkey passport rule that could see you turned away at borderREAD MORE: easyJet and

Ryanair 'hack' to get 'best seats' without paying extra Medics had to perform a CT scan to determine the cause, and asked whether she was pregnant. Kirsty and Mark had

been trying to conceive a third child, and a test confirmed she was four weeks along. She said: "I had to call Mark and tell him I'd had a stroke and I was pregnant. We wanted to

be happy but it wasn't good news. "I was high-risk of a miscarriage due to the scans and medication. I had no choice - we just did what we hoped was best." READ MORE: Millions

of HMRC Child Benefit claimants told their payments may changeREAD MORE: Summer holidays could be 'ruined' if this airport rule isn't followed After a night in hospital,

Kirsty was all set to be discharged but began feeling "clammy" and had a "full blown" stroke whilst preparing to head home. She momentarily lost all sensation on her

right side. It took an agonising 48 hours before she could wiggle her toes again. In the midst of treatment and recovery, Kirsty, together with Mark, sat down with a specialist about her

pregnancy. Kirsty recalled: "We were given the option to terminate the pregnancy. I was told I could miscarry, or the baby could end up with disabilities." Yet for them, the choice

was clear. "We said 'absolutely not' - it didn't matter to us," she said. Two weeks after discharge, Kirsty went in for the routine 12-week scan in June 2024 and

the couple were thrilled to find out their baby had a "healthy heartbeat". Kirsty was then observed throughout her term. Grace made her entry into the world at 38 weeks five days

in December 2024, and was "perfectly healthy". Kirsty said: "The birth was scary as I couldn't take my medication, so the thought of another stroke was in the back of my

mind." "But she arrived safely. She was perfect." Kirsty is now on a mission to highlight awareness about the signs and symptoms of strokes, which she insists can affect

"any age". She insisted: "I really want to warn people of the signs like losing feeling in one side of you body, your face dropping and slurring your words. READ MORE:

'Huge win' for Ryanair travellers as airline refunds hand luggage feesREAD MORE: Iceland shoppers say 'delicious' new snack is 'way better than McDonald's'

"The whole thing for me was over in a flash – you have to act immediately if you recognise any symptoms." Although she remains apprehensive about driving with her children, Kirsty

is growing more self-assured every day. Reflecting on her ordeal, she expressed: "I count myself very lucky." MAIN SYMPTOMS OF A STROKE ACCORDING TO THE NHS The main symptoms of a

stroke can happen very quickly, according to the NHS website. They can include: * arm weakness – you may not be able to fully lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or

numbness in 1 arm * face weakness – one side of your face may droop (fall) and it might be hard to smile * speech problems – you may slur your words or sound confused Article continues below

The NHS says: "The easiest way to remember these symptoms is the word FAST. This stands for: face, arms, speech and time to call 999."