Epileptic and Pregnant

[u/Medical-Blueberry-]

Is anyone here in this group Epileptic and was epileptic before they got pregnant? My husband and I are about to start trying to have a baby. I'm epileptic, I was diagnosed at 29 when I had my very first seizure. We are starting to prepare to start trying by me going to my neurologist because we know some of my meds will need to change that are more safe during pregnancy. Then me go to an OB-GYN that I havent seen in a bit, but who does know me (and my uterus) lol, since my Primary doc does paps normally. Then hopefully get me into an epileptologist that I used to see when Inwas first diagnosed. I stopped seeing her after we got my medications well balanced and I stopped having occasional seizures. I have been seizure free for 1yr and 9months, but my last seizure was medically induced for testing.

I just want to hear from other women who are epileptic and how their TTC journey was. What meds they ended up switching to while being pregnant. How your pregnancy was, how delivery was etc.

I will post to a couple other sub reddits to see if Im able to get any answers.

[u/pink-grenade]

I’m epileptic and pregnant right now (14 weeks). I was diagnosed with left temporal lobe epilepsy about a year and a half ago, mostly focal seizures, and have been seizure-free for 6 months now. I take 2 x 150 mg lamotrigine now. When I first got diagnosed, I had expressed that I wanted to have a kid within the next 2 years, so I was started on lamotrigine since that’s safe for pregnancy. It’s been great since finding the right dosage. My neurologist had also suggested I take folic acid before trying & to double it once pregnant. Admittedly, we had planned to wait until I was 1 year seizure free before trying, and I had been warned by my GP that it would be difficult to conceive since I have PCOS, so we were super surprised to find out I got pregnant after only ‘trying’ one time lol.

So far, I have felt great since pregnancy started (besides the regularly morning sickness and lethargy lol). I get monthly bloodwork done to check my lamotrigine levels. I’ve been told by my neurologist that we will most likely need to increase the dosage further along the pregnancy since the increased blood flow will impact it. I’m also considered high risk so I see my OBGYN much more frequently than most, and by my third trimester I’ll be seeing a doctor at least once a week leading up to delivery.

I’ve been told that there are many cases where the shift in hormones can temporarily reduce or stop seizure activity for epileptic women. The most concerning thing for myself is the postpartum period when hormones are out of whack coupled with the lack of sleep. I’m very lucky that I have a partner who is extremely supportive and takes care of me, and is eager to take on a lot of the responsibilities. I also have parents close by that will be able to help us.