What is it epilepsy in pregnancy?
It is important to plan for a healthy pregnancy if you have epilepsy. Most women with epilepsy will have a good pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby. Although, there are some risks. Having epilepsy may make it harder to get pregnant. Pregnancy may affect your seizures or the effectiveness of your medication.
It is important to talk to your GP. They will help you to control your seizures and manage your health to reduce the risk during your pregnancy.
What will my GP do now if I have epilepsy?
If you don’t want to get pregnant
Your GP will give you safe options for birth control. You can also talk to your GP about planning for the future.
If you are planning a pregnancy
If you are planning to get pregnant soon, your GP will talk to you about:
- Risks and general advice for your pregnancy
- Your medication
- Safe driving
- Labour, delivery and breastfeeding safety
If you are already pregnant
If you are already pregnant, your GP will talk to you about:
- Managing your seizures
- Supplements you can take to help your pregnancy
- Tests you should do to keep your baby safe
- Seeing a neurologist or obstetrician with experience in epilepsy and pregnancy
What will my GP do in the future?
Your GP will continue to support you. Contact your GP at any time if you would like to talk about anything more.
What can I do to stay healthy during pregnancy?
It is important to manage your health for you and your baby. Stay active, eat healthy foods and take your medication as prescribed.
See your GP as soon as possible if you have an unplanned pregnancy. If you are thinking about becoming pregnant, talk with your neurologist and your GP before you become pregnant. They will let you know what to expect. They will also tell you any changes to make to have a safe and healthy pregnancy.
If you are already pregnant and your symptoms change, talk to your neurologist.
