I need some help with a pregnancy question. First let me start off by telling you that I have 1 child from previous relationship whom I had 7 years before I was diagnosed with epilepsy. I have been married to my husband now for 3 years and we have talked about having our own child between the two of us, would be my second, his first child. I am scared though about becoming pregnant for two reasons -- 1. What kind of effects could prescripts have on unborn child and 2. Could my epilepsy become worse with being pregnant. I can't seem to decide what I want to do, and yet I don't want to have it to where my hubby and I can't have children of our own. Please help.

I have a friend with E and she is taking Kepra while pregnant. So you can take some meds while pregnant others you can not for they would harm the baby. It depends on each individual if they get more siezures durring pregancy. Do you get more siezures around the time of your period? If so then hormones do play a role in your epilepsy and pregnancy may be worse. But not necessarily. I had seizures around my period but durring pregnancy I had very few seizures. You need to discuss your desires with your neuro before you try to become pregnant so you can get on or off the right meds and prepare to become pregnant. Your dr can answer all your questions and he knows your case the best. Good luck.

hi jan my name is jessie i have had epilepsy since i was 15 i am now 22 and a mother of 3 i didnt have any seizures while pregnant and infact my seizures get better while im pregnant i didnt take any meds while pregnant because i was scared something would happen to my baby but i know there are some that are safe to take while pregnant and make sure to take extra folic acid before becoming pregnant and while pregnant that is very very very important i have 3 happy and healthy children my oldest will be 5 in november my middle child is 3 and my baby just turned 1 in june but everything went fine with my pregnancies i think you should probably be ok too but you might want to talk to your nuero before you become pregnant because you might need to change meds or doses i hope this helps you take care jessie

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mother of 3
ages 4,3,and 1
my pride and joy

diagnosed with epilepsy jan. of 97

live life to its fullest you never know when it may be to late to do all the things you would have done tomorrow

I have suffered with Epilepsy for 15 years and personally I have not coped well with pregnancy I have lost 3 babies but at the time I was taking 2000mg of Sodium Valporate, Plus Clobazam each day - this was in the early 1990's and at that stage most doctors where unaware of the implications of Sodium Valporate and pregnancy.

My advice is go and speak to your doctor explain that you want a baby some time in the future and establsih what you would need to do - there is a lot of things to take into considertation having a grand mal szr whilst pregnant can be worse for the baby than some anti szr drugs - it is a decission only you can make - I was also placed on a high dosage of folic acid which helps to decrease the chance of spina bifida which is increased by a very small percentange with Epilim.

Seek advice read up on what drugs you are taking ask questions and good luck -

Thanks so much for the replies, they are greatly appreciated http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I talked to my Neuro about getting pregnant and she changed my medicine to Phenobarbital. She also started me on Prenatal Vitamins prior to getting pregnant. My son was born with no problems...9lbs 9oz!!! My Neuro had my blood level tested during my pregnancy to keep an eye on the level of Phenobarbital in my system. I think I had my blood tested every month. Good Luck

MommaJessi,
I'm sure you've already thought of and/or explored this, but I'll suggest it anyway. I am on the birth control Depo-Provera, (i get an injection of it once every 3 months). Most of the time while on depo I have no periods at all. Since your seizures are period-linked, would it help you to get the Depo shot?
just a thought,
take care
c