LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Stroke can happen to anyone, even new moms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 3,300 women will experience a stroke postpartum.


What You Need To Know

  • Cassandra and Carlton Moore are the parents of three children

  • During her last pregnancy, Cassandra experienced an amniotic fluid embolism, suffered a stroke and heart failure

  • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1 in 3,300 women will experience a stroke postpartum

Cassandra and Carlton Moore prepared to welcome the newest addition to their family in late August. The Moores say this is their third child, and the pregnancy was perfect.

“Really wasn’t anything different. I mean, I worked up until almost up until I had her. Exercise roll escape did all of the things that I normally do. And while I was pregnant. I had had two previous C-sections, so I didn’t really think anything of having another one. I thought it would just be a routine,” said Cassandra.

Carlton was eager to see his new baby girl, Indigo, but suddenly Cassandra wasn’t responding. 

“All the machines started going off. The anesthesiologist told the doctor, ‘I’m not getting a pulse down here.’ So they say, go ahead and call code blue,” said Carlton

The team at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital immediately began life-saving measures—at one point—her heart stopped for 40 minutes.

“I remember as they were doing the presses on her, I’m thinking, like, how am I going to go forward without her now,” said Carlton.

Cassandra experienced an amniotic fluid embolism, where amniotic fluid enters the bloodstream, a condition with an unknown cause that is extremely serious and life-threatening. Cassandra also suffered a stroke and heart failure.

Cassandra was transferred to Norton Audubon Hospital, where over 20 departments cared for her.

“She was on an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) and an impeller on a ventilator on many drips requiring multiple surgeries. She was definitely the sickest patient,” said Dr. Alkhalil.

Cassandra said the last thing she remembers is being in the car heading to the hospital for her C-section.

“Just in disbelief that all that had happened to me, you know, I had no indication that anything like that would happen because I was healthy,” said Cassandra.

Dr. Bassel Alkhalil said Cassandra has improved a lot and she and her family are now an extension of the Norton family.

“She’s a not a friend. She’s a family member to us now. We will always remember I’m alongside her name. They are now part of us,” said Dr. Alkhalil.

Carlton said he is happy that he has his wife back home with their healthy baby girl.

“You know, we’ve been together since we were 14, and we met in middle school. I’m thankful she’s here and I’m just happy that we’re all here. You know, baby included. A baby is healthy. Everything’s been a tremendous blessing,” said Carlton. 

Cassandra is now walking, talking and getting her memory back. She says not only does this give her family a new outlook on life and family, but also going through this experience made her a better occupational therapist.

Dr. Alkllid encourages blood donation and learning CPR as these are the things that helped saved Cassandra.