Epilepsy Woes During Pregnancy

Epilepsy can cause complications during pregnancy due to the medications but if monitored carefully, a healthy baby can be delivered
Epilepsy Woes During Pregnancy

Epilepsy can impact a woman and her unborn child negatively. This can be because of the medications used to treat epilepsy. Although majority of women can deliver a healthy baby and have a healthy delivery, but epilepsy does increase the complications.


Women of all ages are affected by epilepsy and its treatment. Women with epilepsy face unique challenges, especially when the condition occurs during pregnancy. Epilepsy affects pregnancy, and pregnancy affects epilepsy. Nevertheless, healthy babies are delivered by more than 90 per cent of pregnant epileptic mothers. There are many risks, but if you constantly keep in touch with your physician, they can help you to reduce such dangers. Speak with your obstetrician and neurologist prior to trying to conceive. Most medical professionals advise obstetricians to take care of high-risk pregnant epileptic women. Both will want to keep a tight eye on you the entire time.

You can find it more challenging to get pregnant if you have epilepsy. Compared to other women, women with epilepsy have fewer children according to studies. Here are a few potential explanations as to why this happens:

- Some diseases that can lead to infertility are more common in women with epilepsy. The polycystic ovary syndrome is one of them (PCOS).

- Menstrual irregularities are more common in epileptic women, which can make it harder to conceive.

- Menstrual cycles without egg production are also more common in epileptic women. Anovulatory cycles are these.

- Some anti-seizure medications may alter the hormone levels in your ovaries, which may impact how well they operate in terms of reproduction.

- Pregnancy-related hormone imbalances are more common in epileptic women.

What signs of epilepsy do you experience while pregnant?

The signs and symptoms are the same as when a woman is not pregnant. Epileptic women experience frequent or recurring seizures for which there is no known explanation. The most prevalent symptoms, in addition to seizures, include:

  • Headache
  • Alterations in energy levels or mood
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting and Confusion
  • Memory loss

An aura may also exist in some females. Right before they experience a seizure, they get a feeling that one is coming. Epilepsy symptoms can resemble those of other medical diseases. For a diagnosis, consult your healthcare provider at all times.

How is epilepsy diagnosed in pregnant women?

Most epileptic women will have received their diagnosis before becoming pregnant. A medical history and physical examination are used to make the epilepsy diagnosis. Only after you have experienced several seizures can the diagnosis be made. Depending on how frequently you experience seizures, your doctor may decide to request certain tests. These examinations could involve blood tests, heart and brain wave (ECG) tests, a CT scan or an MRI.

Complications caused by epilepsy during pregnancy

Epilepsy can impact a woman and her unborn child negatively. This can be because of the medications used to treat epilepsy. Although majority of women can deliver a healthy baby and have a healthy delivery, but epilepsy does increase the complications. These are:

High blood pressure

Stillbirth

Baby who is a bit smaller

Abnormalities in the spine and brain during birth (neural tube defects). Some epilepsy medications may affect the blood levels of folic acid, which is a B vitamin. To avoid neural tube abnormalities, all women of reproductive age should take folic acid supplements containing 0.4 mg daily. Discuss taking a greater dose of folic acid with your doctor if you take medication for epilepsy. It might aid in avoiding these flaws.

Further birth complications: These might be connected to specific epilepsy medications. The majority of specialists concur that avoiding seizures is preferable than the hazards associated with using medication. Low levels of Vitamin D: Your body's ability to absorb vitamin D can be impacted by epilepsy medications. Prenatal vitamins are typically effective at solving this issue.

Heavy bleeding in the new born: Some epilepsy medications may have an impact on vitamin K levels, which are crucial for blood clotting. To stop bleeding, every new born should receive a vitamin K injection.

Symptoms of withdrawal in a new born: The mother's seizure medication contains them. Only a few weeks or months are spent with symptoms. Typically, they don't result in significant or persistent issues.

Feeding or sleeping issues: Breastfed infants may experience extreme somnolence or have trouble eating. This is so that breastfeeding can absorb the seizure medication. In general, breastfeeding has more advantages for the new born than disadvantages.

Consult your healthcare professional if your seizures become more frequent.

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