Research shows that with careful planning, people with epilepsy can have safe, healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. Several studies, from multiple countries, have indicated that pregnancy in patients with epilepsy are at higher risk for obstetrical complications. However, research has also indicated that working with an integrated care team including an obstetrician or maternal fetal medicine specialist and neurologist can significantly reduce these risks. Ideally, you’ll start working with your epilepsy care team as much as 12 months before you try to get pregnant to address concerns related to your epilepsy.
This site contains tools and information you, your healthcare team, and your support system can use to plan your pregnancy.
Pregnancy Planning With Epilepsy Topics
- Planning Your Pregnancy: Know that with careful planning, you can have a safe and healthy pregnancy and birth.
- Choosing an Obstetrician for Pregnancy Care: Factors you should consider when selecting an obstetrician (OB).
- Fertility & Epilepsy: Understand the connection between epilepsy and fertility/fertility treatments. Having epilepsy, or taking an anti-seizure medication (ASM), doesn’t mean you’ll need fertility treatments.
- Babies & Development: Learn about how different ASMs may impact a baby’s development; several highly used ASMs do not present a risk to babies.
- Heredity & Epilepsy: Know about the low risk of passing epilepsy on to your child and when genetic counseling may be recommended.
- Switching Anti-Seizure Medications (ASMs) Prior to Pregnancy: If necessary, work with your doctor to switch to an ASM that will be best for you and your child.
Related Topics
- Your Epilepsy Care Team: Pick the right pregnancy doctor. You should consider picking someone who works with patients who may have complex health conditions, like epilepsy.
- Anti-Seizure Medications (ASMs) & Pregnancy: Talk to your epilepsy care team about the suitability of different ASMs during pregnancy.
- Seizure Stability & Pregnancy: Discuss the best ways to maintain seizure stability before, during, and after your pregnancy with your epilepsy care team.