Contents:
- Medical Video: How do seizures impact pregnancy - Manipal Hospital
- Complications can be experienced by mothers due to epileptic seizures during pregnancy
- The risk experienced by a baby if the mother has epileptic seizures during pregnancy
- What should be done by pregnant women with epilepsy?
Medical Video: How do seizures impact pregnancy - Manipal Hospital
According to the World Health Organization report, there are around 50 million seizure patients in the world. The combination of seizures and pregnancy may seem risky, but the opportunity can be on your side. The following is more information about epilepsy seizures during pregnancy.
Complications can be experienced by mothers due to epileptic seizures during pregnancy
Epilepsy during pregnancy can cause concern. However, most mothers with epilepsy give birth to healthy babies. Seizures during pregnancy can cause several complications for pregnant women, including:
- slower fetal heart rate
- fetal injury, separation of the placenta from the uterus prematurely (placental abruption), or miscarriage due to trauma experienced during seizures
- preterm labor
- premature birth
In addition, every woman reacts to pregnancy in different ways. For most pregnant women who suffer from epilepsy, their seizures do not change. For some pregnant women, there is a higher risk of experiencing seizures during pregnancy, especially for mothers who lack sleep or do not use drugs as prescribed. For other pregnant women, seizures are not as frequent as before.
In addition, some drugs used to treat seizures can contribute to infertility. However, certain anti-seizure drugs can also reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptive methods. You need to contact a doctor or pharmacist for more information.
The risk experienced by a baby if the mother has epileptic seizures during pregnancy
Every drug you use during pregnancy can affect your baby. Beyond the effects of the drug, babies born to epilepsy mothers have a higher risk of developing seizures. Depending on the type of drug and the dose you are using, there can also be an increased risk of birth defects or other disorders such as:
- urinary tract defect
- congenital heart
- skeletal abnormalities
- low intellectual ability
- poor cognitive abilities (talking and understanding)
- memory problem
- autism spectrum disorder
- delay in walking and talking
What should be done by pregnant women with epilepsy?
Before you try to get pregnant, schedule an appointment with a doctor to consider alternative treatments. It is usually better to make medication changes before than during pregnancy.
If you are pregnant while using anticonvulsants, continue to use your medication. And you should contact a specialist immediately to discuss treatment with your medication. Do not change or stop your treatment without the advice of a specialist, especially during pregnancy. This is because severe seizures during pregnancy can cause damage or injury, or even death, for you or your baby.
Take your anti-seizure medication as prescribed. Don't adjust the dosage or stop your own medication. Remember that uncontrolled seizures tend to give a greater risk to babies than any drug. In addition, it is recommended that you take 5 milligrams (5 mg) of doses of folic acid every day as soon as you start trying to get pregnant. Your doctor will need to make a prescription because the 5 mg tablet is not available without a prescription.
It is also important to make healthy lifestyle choices.
- Live a healthy diet.
- Take prenatal vitamins.
- Get enough sleep.
- Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol and taking drugs.
Your doctor will offer an ultrasound to help detect developmental problems in your baby. You may need an additional blood test to check the level of anti-epileptic drugs in your blood, depending on the anticonvulsant you are using.
Seizures occur when abnormal patterns of electrical activity increase in the brain. This can cause the body to move uncontrollably, and can also cause unconsciousness for a short period of time. You need to pay more attention if you are pregnant while suffering from seizures.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
