Epilepsy and pregnancy
Epilepsy is a chronic
disease or group of disorders characterized by recurrent and unpredictable
seizures. A seizure is a temporary physiological disturbance of the brain in
which neurons produce an excessive electrical discharge. Because it is a
chronic condition, many women want to learn more about epilepsy during
pregnancy and how it can affect their baby.
What are the symptoms of epilepsy during pregnancy
Unfortunately, some
of the symptoms of epilepsy resemble those of pregnancy.
Here is a brief
overview of some of the symptoms of epilepsy:
- Headache
- Changes in mood or energy levels
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Confusion
- Memory loss
Will my epilepsy change during pregnancy?
The likely cause of
the increase in seizures is the use of anticonvulsant drugs. Anticonvulsant
drugs tend to work differently during pregnancy, and so your doctor may find it
necessary to change your medication during pregnancy.
There is also the
additional difficulty of nausea, which can cause the drug to escape before it
can be properly absorbed into the body.
Does epilepsy during pregnancy affect my baby?
The type of seizure
you experience with epilepsy can lead to varying degrees of complications. If
you have partial or absence seizures, the risk to your baby is minimal. If you
are suffering from a form of tonic-clonic seizure, the risk of injury to the
baby and mother is increased.
During a tonic-clonic
seizure, a temporary cessation of breathing is noted; While this interruption
rarely affects the mother, it can lead to anoxia in your baby. In addition,
your child's heart rate may slow for up to 30 minutes after a tonic-clonic
seizure.
This form of seizure
also increases the risk of injury to the child. Tonic-clonic seizures pose the
greatest risk during the last trimester, when the baby's brain is larger and
needs more oxygen.
What are the risks of epilepsy during pregnancy?
Epilepsy can affect
pregnancy in different ways. If seizures occur during pregnancy, a number of
complications can occur that will affect the baby, including:
- Fetal heart rate deceleration
- Fetal injury
- Premature separation of the placenta from the uterus
- Miscarriage due to trauma experienced during seizures
- Preterm labor
- Premature birth
Anticonvulsant Medications During Pregnancy
One of the main
concerns of expectant mothers with epilepsy is the effect of the drug on the
child. Women with epilepsy have a 4-6% chance of having a child with a birth
defect as a result of taking anticonvulsants. Some of these are benign
deformities, such as little fingers and toenails, that your child is more
likely to lose.
However, there are
more serious birth defects such as spina bifida, cleft lip, neural tube
defects, and heart defects. You should consult your doctor about anticonvulsant
medications when you are trying to conceive. They may recommend changing
medications or reducing the dosage of your current medication.
Under no
circumstances should you stop taking your medication without consulting your
doctor.
Precautionary measures
There are certain
steps you should take if you have epilepsy and want to have the healthiest
pregnancy possible. Before becoming pregnant, you should consult your doctor
before conceiving. Your doctor will review your medical history to determine if
a change in your anticonvulsant drug is needed.
If you are taking
anticonvulsants, you should talk to your doctor about taking folic acid.
Taking folic acid
before and during pregnancy can improve your baby's health. Anticonvulsants can
affect the body's folic acid levels, and low folic acid levels can lead to
neural tube defects. Studies have shown that taking folic acid during the first
three months of pregnancy reduces the risk of spina bifida.
However, it's still
important to check with your doctor before taking folic acid, as it can
interact with some anti-seizure medications, making them less effective and
increasing your risk of seizures.
What to do after birth
Childbirth and
childbirth can cause tremendous stress on the body, affecting the health and
well-being of the mother. Research has shown that within two days of giving
birth, women with epilepsy are more likely to have seizures.
Contributing factors
as to why this may occur include:
- Sleep deprivation
- Hyperventilation
- Stress
- Physical pain
- Failure/inability of the women to take medications
It is important that
the mother gets enough rest, is not stressed, and takes medication as
prescribed by the doctor. Getting help from family and friends or using a
postpartum doula are ways to reduce stress.
Can I breastfeed if I have epilepsy?
Many women with epilepsy are encouraged to breastfeed because of the many benefits of breast milk for the baby. However, it is still important to talk to a doctor to weigh the benefits of breastfeeding versus the mother's use of anticonvulsants.