hypothyroid &epilepsy question

[sparkle83]

hi girls, I'm lurking from long term ttc, but I thought I'd pick your brains.

I have mild epilepsy (perfectly controlled for 3 years on lowest meds level) and hypothyroid, and am also overweight.

When we do finally stay pregnant, any ideas how my antenatal care will differ from the norm, or what extra testing I'll have, or if I'll have to have a c-section?

thanks girls, and good luck

 

[Genie]

I don't have any answers but also have epilepsy so will be interested to read any replies x

 

[Kitty23]

re your hypothyroidism- I've been getting 4 weekly blood tests to check my thyroid and then the consultant edocrinologist adjusts my dose if needed. Also having a higher bmi will probably make you see a consultant every few months or so xxx

 

[twinklestar]

hi, well i have epilepsy and did have with my last pregnancy, in which my fits went haywire and i was having 1 a day towards the end

im having 1/2 tonic clonic fits a month at the moment on phenytoin 350, ive been put on vitamin K tablets once a day as the phenytoin increases the risk of me and baby bleeding but other than that there hasnt been any concern during pregnancy we have had extra scans to make sure baby is healthy and he looks great

im having a section ( my first one) for seperate reasons and there has been no extra planning beacuse of the epilepsy they are aware and just keep a closer eye on me

i delivered my last baby at 33wks and we are expecting this one around then too, although you never know i could go longer

x

 

[Genie]

Twinklestar, thats great that all looks good with baby. The extra scans must be reassuring. Good luck with everything and I hope your fits settle down for you when you've delivered. x

 

[twinklestar]

thanks genie, i hope they settle back to under control too! they should do , after my last they did within 10 days, amazing what hormones can muck up isnt it

cant wait to get my independance back

x

 

[KatiePC]

I am currently pregnant and have epilepsy. I went over from sodium valproate to lamotrigine about months ago in a view to possibly starting a family.

I was prescribed 5mg folic acid months before trying to conceive. I am now having more frequent visits to the epilepsy nurse and am under the care of an obstetrecian. I am having an extra scan at 30 weeks to lookat growth. The obs has also requested a detailed look for cleft palate at 20 weeks.

Aside from that, I have been told due to having epilepsy I will be staying in hospital for 5 days min after the birth as a precaution. I also was advised not to have a home birth. I have also been told I a not allowed pethadine as a painkiller during labour.

Aside from that, seems all is ok, bar the normal crappy effects, and blimey am I feeling those. If this dizzyness doesn't stop soon, I'll cry(again!)

 

[twinklestar]

hi katie

ive had pethadine in this pregnancy and was told it was fine, they gave me a shot of it when i was admitted with threatened preterm labour

also never had to stay in 5 days, so maybe it depends on the hospital

are you having fits still ?

x

 

[sparkle83]

wow, very interesting! I know they say theres a higher risk of neural tube defects, so we might have a CVS done...

 

[Genie]

sorry to be simple but whats CVS??? xx

 

[lily123]

Hi girls.

I have grand mal epilepsy alongside type 2 diabetes, I was prescribed a stronger dose of folic acid tablets that aren't available over the counter and put on the lowest possible dose of my usual AED drugs, i was very nervous about it because i thought my seizures would become alot more frequent, but surprisingly i've been more or less fine!

My epilepsy is behaving itself very well during my pregnancy, i have only had two tonic seizures so far and they were at the very start when my body was adjusting.
I get alot more scans than a low risk pregnancy would, and baby is measuring about 3 weeks bigger than her gestational age, but it's apparently nothing to worry about.

Hope everything is going well for you ladies xxxx