Switching Your Anti-seizure Medication for a Healthy Pregnancy
You can have a safe pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby when you have epilepsy and take anti-seizure medications (ASMs). However, research shows certain ASMs are better suited for pregnancy than others. If you’re taking a higher-risk ASM and would like to get pregnant, consult with your doctor about switching ASMs well before you get pregnant.
Common Questions About Switching Your Anti-seizure Medication (ASM)
Consult With Your Doctor
We understand that switching your ASMs prior to pregnancy can feel like a lot to manage. Your ASM switch is part of your larger pregnancy plan and is an important step in maintaining the health of you and your baby. Your doctor can help make this process clear and manageable.
Download our Pregnancy Planning With Epilepsy - Questions to Ask Your Doctors, and bring a copy to your appointments to help guide your conversations and get the answers you need.
You can also use the Epilepsy Foundation Seizure Diary to track your seizures and share the information with your doctor.
Educating yourself on all that’s involved and ensuring you have a plan to safely switch your ASM before your pregnancy, can make things much easier, less stressful, and safer, for you and your baby.
Reviewed by: Page Pennell, MD FAES, September 2023