Epilepsy Medications and Conception

[SweetNothings]

I am waiting to try and have a baby with my boyfriend of 2 years (planning to wait til we are married); however, I am just wondering if anyone else has been on anti-seizure meds prior to getting pregnant and could share their experiences. My doctor is VERY against me getting pregnant until I have been off my meds for at LEAST 3 MONTHS....I was shocked to hear that it was 3 months I would have to wait before I could even try. Plus my mother was infertile for a few years before having me (which was her first child) and it all makes me somewhat nervous. Does anyone else worry about infertility or medications holding you back from conceiving?

 

[Fly]

My sister is epileptic and has been told the same thing by her GP - although she plans to go for an appointment with her specialist to talk things through. I think she needs to weigh up the risks to the developing baby of staying on the medication against the risks to the baby if she didn't take it and had a serious seizure... for her, those kinds of seizures are rare (she has petit mal episodes and doesn't drive because of them).

Hope this helps

Fly

 

[kirsty22]

Hi there, I have epilepsy and was given the same advice from my doctor. I have come off my medication and I waiting two months before TTC, I figured that it was pretty unlikely of me to get pregnant the first month! I think it is to give your body a chance to get back to normal and build up the folic acid again that the medications often stop, I also started talking folic acid tablets 5mg for three months before TTC and planning on keeping taking them through the pregnacy when ever it happens.

Good luck with everything! xx

 

[plutosblue]

Hi there, I dont have eplilepsy but I can relate to having to wait due to medication and worrying about conception. I am currently on anxiety tablets which as of yet have not been tested enough to be proven safe through pregnancy, my doctor expects me to be weaned off by December, but it means I have to wait until I am off them and they are out of my system (hopefully without turning back into a nervous wreck) poo.
As for conception worries, one of my aunties have to have IVF and my other aunt had several MC's before having her first. My mother seemed ok but I think it took her a while... I think I will just worry about it when I come to it and pray that *touch wood* everything goes ok!
Your not alone x and I find everyone on here is extremely supportive.