Background: The encephalic vascular accident (EVA), also called stroke, is a complication that leads to high morbidity during the gestational period. The incidence of encephalic stroke is three times higher in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women, with an increase in rates in recent years. Considering the impacts of this comorbidity on the maternal-fetal health, this review aims to compile data regarding the incidence and risk factors related to the occurrence of EVA in the pregnancy-puerperal cycle, in order to facilitate the identification of risk factors and the prevention of an unfavorable outcome. Methodology: This is an integrative review of the literature. The research was conducted using the databases from the Medical Literature and Retrivial System onLine (MEDLINE), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS). The information was systematized based on the guiding question: “What is the incidence and risk factors related to the occurrence of encephalic vascular accident in the pregnancy-puerperal period?”. The descriptors used were: “Pregnant Women” AND “Stroke”. Original and complete articles, with free access, in English or Portuguese language, published in the last five years and with a detailed description on the subject were included in this review. Results and discussion: The incidence of pregnancy hospitalizations due to EVA ranged from 7.3 to 42.8 per 100,000 pregnant in the studies evaluated. Related to risk factors, a relationship was found with physiological changes during pregnancy, especially the state of hypercoagulability due to the increase in levels of prothrombotic factors. Additionally, hypertensive disorders during the pregnancy, such as eclampsia and pre-eclampsia, and traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, sedentary lifestyle, dyslipidemia and advanced age, were also considered risk factors for stroke. Conclusion: Despite being an uncommon complication during the pregnancy-puerperal cycle, stroke has a severe impact in women and fetus health, this condition is being related to physiological alterations inherent to pregnancy, pathological alterations and modifiable risk factors.