I was breastfeeding my baby — an hour later I was paralysed

Becki was breastfeeding her three-week-old son when she suffered a stroke (Picture: Becki Barratt) ‘My whole identity was built around being strong and capable, and suddenly I couldn’t even stand,’ says fitness coach, Becki Barratt, 33. In April this year, the new mum was breastfeeding her three-week-old baby when suddenly, a ‘strange feeling’ came over her. Becki, who is mum to Aréya, three, and Beauden, five months, explains: ‘My hand suddenly started spasming. ‘Instantly, I knew something wasn’t right. Holding Beau, panic swept through me. ‘I shouted for my partner, James. I remember saying: “Something is wrong”.’ Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. ‘As I stood up, I knew my legs weren’t strong enough to hold me. I could feel them giving way. Becki spent five days in hospital (Picture: Becki Barratt) ‘I slowly collapsed to the floor while still holding Beau.’ As James rushed into the room and called 999, Becki continued to experience terrifying symptoms. She says: ‘I looked at him and said: “I feel like I’m having a stroke.” ‘It felt ridiculous even as I said it — I remember thinking: “Why would I be having a stroke?” Paramedics arrived within 15 minutes. Shockingly, by the time they reached the hospital, the entire left side of Becki’s body was paralysed. ‘I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t move my left arm or leg. Everything happened so fast,’ she says. Becki’s world came crashing down (Picture: Becki Barratt) Doctors immediately carried out a CT scan, but it showed no sign of a stroke. Still, Becki’s symptoms strongly suggested she was having one. Medics decided to administer thrombolysis — an emergency clot-busting treatment designed to dissolve blood clots and restore blood flow to the brain. The following day, an MRI scan confirmed their suspicions. It revealed damage to Becki’s brain caused by a clot, proving she had indeed had a stroke. The decision to administer thrombolysis despite the earlier scan had been crucial. ‘I remember hearing the words, “You’ve had a stroke,” and everything came crashing down,’ she says. Becki spent almost a week in hospital while her three-year-old daughter and three-week-old son visited between feeds and family support. Becki was fit and healthy before her stroke (Picture: Becki Barratt) As a new mum exclusively breastfeeding, she spent the first 24 hours ‘pumping and dumping’, while continuing to express milk and send bottles home for Beau so she could continue feeding him despite being separated. ‘I have such sad memories of sitting there pumping milk. ‘Sometimes I had to throw it away. Sometimes my parents would take bottles back for Beau.’ For Becki, it’s hard to accept that she wasn’t able to experience that special newborn bubble. ‘Instead of bonding with Beau and settling into life with two children, a part of motherhood was taken away from me,’ she says. ‘I felt lost. I felt alone. I felt completely useless to my children and my husband. ‘The simplest moments became impossible. I needed help changing nappies, feeding Beau, holding my babies and even going to the toilet.’ Becki’s recovery in hospital began with simply trying to squeeze her hand. With support from physiotherapists, she progressed from sitting to standing, before taking her first steps. Becki is making progress in her recovery with help from her husband and family (Picture: Becki Barratt) ‘I’ll never forget it. It took four nurses helping me, but I managed a few tiny steps. For many people, walking is automatic. For me, every movement required intense concentration and determination. Slowly, my strength began to return.’ Five days after her stroke, Becki was discharged home. Today, Becki continues her recovery while caring for Aréya and Beau. She has also received support from the Stroke Association after being contacted by the charity, who reached out to offer guidance and help. This involves over-the-phone advice for her appointments and support when she needs it. Doctors are still investigating exactly why Becki had her stroke. Becki needed help doing simple tasks (Picture: Becki Barratt) ‘I still don’t know why it happened. For us, that uncertainty is particularly difficult. We would love to have a third baby. So we’re hoping we can find some answers. ‘Looking back, I never considered myself as someone who could have a stroke. I was young, fit, healthy and active. Now I want others to understand that stroke can happen to anyone. ‘If someone had asked me before my stroke who gets a stroke, I probably would have had a completely different picture in my head. ‘I certainly wouldn’t have imagined a healthy 33-year-old mum breastfeeding her newborn baby. But stroke doesn’t discriminate. ‘In a single moment, my entire life changed. And now every small thing I can do again — every step, every cuddle, every nappy change — feels like a victory. ‘Recovery is hard, but I’m determined to keep moving forward. For my children. For my husband. For myself.’ Becki is now setting herself an extraordinary goal. ‘My dream is to stand on the start line of the London Marathon in 2027. After everything that’s happened, just getting there would be one of the greatest achievements of my life.’ Becki’s kids are her motivation (Picture: Becki Barratt) Becki had her stroke on the same day the London Marathon took place in April 2026. ‘Watching the London Marathon from my hospital bed, unable to walk, I made a promise to myself that one day I’d be on that start line. ‘At the time it felt impossible, but it gave me something to hold on to when everything else felt so uncertain. ‘I want my children to grow up seeing that even when life changes in an instant, you can keep moving forward. Deals of the Day Parents can save up to 30% on Kickers school shoes ahead of the new term The back-to-school hack that's helping parents avoid queues and sold-out sizes Could your hair be wavy rather than straight? This brand thinks so Could your star sign improve your skincare routine? This new beauty launch thinks so Best skincare for menopausal skin? This dermatologist-created treatment is tailored to you ‘They are my reason to keep going. Having Aréya running beside me, laughing, encouraging me and celebrating every little milestone means more than she’ll ever know.’ Find out more Juliet Bouverie OBE, CEO at the Stroke Association, said: ‘Becki’s experience is a powerful reminder that a stroke can happen to anyone, regardless of their age, fitness or lifestyle. ‘Every five minutes in the UK, someone has a stroke, yet many people still think stroke only affects older people. ‘While the overall risk of stroke in younger adults remains low, around one in four strokes happen in people of working age. ‘Pregnancy and the weeks following childbirth are also recognised as periods when the risk of stroke is higher, even though it remains uncommon, because pregnancy can increase the risk of high blood pressure and blood clots. If you notice any of the signs of stroke, remember FAST: changes to the face (F) arms (A) speech (S) then it’s (T) – time to call 999. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: This is what Brits consider cheating — men and women have very different views Arrow MORE: Why Hayden Panettiere’s shocking postnatal depression story is going viral after her death Arrow MORE: My heart stopped for more than two hours after I was trapped under ice – here’s how I survived The Slice Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.