Pregnant with epilepsy.

[KirinM]

Hi ladies,

I was just wondering if anyone here is epileptic? I've been epileptic for over 20 years. I have one son who is 17. During that pregnancy I guess I didn't worry too much about anything and certainly didn't get treated any differently due to my epilepsy but I'm older and worry more now! My pregnancy was fine although I had a seizure during labour. I was also kept on sodium valproate although was subsequently advised that was a mistake.

I'm currently 7 weeks pregnant and am just wondering what I can expect to happen as I am likely to be consultant led this time.

Anyone have any insight?

 

[Lucy139]

I can't help much but my friend is epileptic and had a baby a few weeks back she was consultant led and had to go for check up/ scans every 4 weeks at the hospital and she also had to be induced 2 weeks early to lower the risk of a seizure during labour, hope this helps a little happy and healthy 9 months too you x

 

[KirinM]

Thank you that's interesting. I've literally just had a call advising that I should receive my referral to the hospital in the next few days.

 

[Ld30]

Hi, I am epileptic (12yrs now) and currently 31 weeks pregnant. This is my first baby.
My pregnancy is consultant led but I haven't had to attend any more scans than my friend who was midwifery led and who had no health issues.
The only difference was that at my consultant appointments they want to know when I last had a seizure, if there is anything in particular that triggers it and what medication I'm taking.
Because of the epilepsy, I also have to take 5mg folic acid every day throughout the entire pregnancy and I have been in more regular contact with the neurologist and specialist epilepsy nurse.
I have also had to have my blood tested to check the levels of my medication in my system every three months, though think this is dependant on which medication you are on cause I know someone who was on Epilim when pregnant and she didn't have to have extra tests. I'm on lamictal and the change in hormones and increased blood flow can reduce the effectiveness of that particular medication so I've had to increase my meds throughout the pregnancy. Hope this helps

 

[KirinM]

Hi, I am epileptic (12yrs now) and currently 31 weeks pregnant. This is my first baby.
My pregnancy is consultant led but I haven't had to attend any more scans than my friend who was midwifery led and who had no health issues.
The only difference was that at my consultant appointments they want to know when I last had a seizure, if there is anything in particular that triggers it and what medication I'm taking.
Because of the epilepsy, I also have to take 5mg folic acid every day throughout the entire pregnancy and I have been in more regular contact with the neurologist and specialist epilepsy nurse.
I have also had to have my blood tested to check the levels of my medication in my system every three months, though think this is dependant on which medication you are on cause I know someone who was on Epilim when pregnant and she didn't have to have extra tests. I'm on lamictal and the change in hormones and increased blood flow can reduce the effectiveness of that particular medication so I've had to increase my meds throughout the pregnancy. Hope this helps

Oh thank you so much for responding. I'm on lamictal as well plus Keppra and was taking the folic acid before I got pregnant.

Have you found the pregnancy okay? My seizures are controlled but still feeling quite anxious.

 

[Ld30]

My pregnancy was going ok (no morning sickness or anything) until last week I had a seizure. It was the first one in ten years! Went to hospital & had baby monitored & thankfully he didn't come to any harm.
Looking back on last week, the signs were there. I was really tired which was always a trigger for me.
Everyone is different though. My sis is epileptic also & during both her pregnancies she never felt so good!

 

[Ld30]

Meant to say also, I totally understand the anxiety! I'm a nervous wreck now for fear of having another seizure. We just need to try & stay relaxed (I know easier said than done) I think the anxiety felt is near worse than actually having the seizure sometimes.
You will probably feel better after you speak to neurologist, I know I did. I don't know about keppra but lamictal is meant to be one of the safer seizure drugs to be taking when pregnant. Our twenty week scan showed the meds have had no affect on babies development.

 

[KirinM]

My pregnancy was going ok (no morning sickness or anything) until last week I had a seizure. It was the first one in ten years! Went to hospital & had baby monitored & thankfully he didn't come to any harm.
Looking back on last week, the signs were there. I was really tired which was always a trigger for me.
Everyone is different though. My sis is epileptic also & during both her pregnancies she never felt so good!

Aw sorry to hear you had a seizure. I had one a few months ago for the first time in 7 years and was gutted. I'm not entirely sure what triggers mine but I think lack of sleep and stress.

Glad to hear baby was okay.

My sister is epileptic too!