CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

Epilepsy During Pregnancy

If you have epilepsy, you’re probably wondering how it will affect your pregnancy. Here, plenty of answers.
save article
profile picture of Jennifer L.W. Fink
By Jennifer L.W. Fink, Registered Nurse
Updated March 2, 2017
Hero Image

What is epilepsy during pregnancy?

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes seizures.

What are the signs of epilepsy?

Seizures are the hallmark of epilepsy, but not all seizures are lay-down-on-the-floor-and-twitch events. Some seizures are very small and subtle. A person having a seizure could just seem temporarily lost in thought or have a brief staring spell.

Are there any tests for epilepsy?

A brain scan called an electroencephalogram (EEG) may be used to diagnose epilepsy. Head CT scans, MRIs and other lab tests may also be used. Your doctor may also perform a neurological and behavioral exam and test your blood for signs of infection, anemia or diabetes, all of which can cause seizures.

How common is epilepsy during pregnancy?

In the US about 1 million women of reproductive age have epilepsy.

How did I get epilepsy?

That’s a tough question to answer. Genetics, head injuries and some kinds of diseases can cause epilepsy, but sometimes there isn’t an obvious cause.

How will my epilepsy affect my baby?

Babies of women with epilepsy have twice the risk of birth defects as babies of women without epilepsy. But the risk is still minimal — 4 to 8 percent for moms with epilepsy who take meds versus 2 to 4 percent for other moms. Some common antiseizure meds are known to increase the risk of birth defects, so work with your doctor to develop a treatment regimen that minimizes risk to your baby while keeping you both safe (see Page 2 for treatments).

What’s the best way to treat epilepsy during pregnancy?

Antiseizure medication can keep seizures at bay. You might be worried about taking meds while pregnant, but epilepsy is one of those times when the benefits can outweigh the risks. “All antiseizure meds pose some risk to the fetus, but in epilepsy, it’s clear that the seizures are far more dangerous to the pregnancy and the baby than the medications are,” says Sharon Phelan, MD, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of New Mexico. “A woman should not stop taking her medicine, thinking that it’s the safest thing for her baby, because the seizures themselves can be dangerous. Often when women have seizures, they fall down, hurt themselves or stop breathing. All of those things can cause serious problems.”

Related Video

What can I do to prevent epilepsy-related complications during pregnancy?

“Ideally, a woman who has epilepsy who’s on medication should plan her pregnancy,” Phelan says. “Before getting pregnant, she should work with her neurologist to switch her med to one that’s safe during pregnancy.” To help prevent birth defects, you should take a folic acid supplement prior to (and throughout) pregnancy.

Are there any other resources for epilepsy?

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

sick woman laying on couch
How to Handle the Flu While Pregnant
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant woman suffering from a cold at home
How to Combat Colds During Pregnancy
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant woman taking her temperature
How to Safely Treat a Fever During Pregnancy
By Korin Miller
ADVERTISEMENT
person sudsing their hands before washing
Here’s How to Wash Your Hands Properly
By Liz Callahan Schnabolk
How to Cope With a Sinus Infection During Pregnancy
How to Cope With a Sinus Infection During Pregnancy
By Korin Miller
Graves' Disease During Pregnancy
Graves' Disease During Pregnancy
By Vera T. Fajtova, MD, endocrinologist at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates in Boston and assistant professor of clinical medicine at Harvard University
pregnant woman sitting at doctor's office
The Flu Shot Is an Easy and Effective Way for Pregnant Women to Protect Themselves and Baby
By Fiona Havers, MD, MHS
ADVERTISEMENT
pregnant woman filling out forms at doctor's office
Pregnant Women Who Get a Flu Shot Reduce Risk of Hospitalization by an Insane Amount
By Stephanie Grassullo
Is the Flu Shot Safe During Pregnancy?
Is the Flu Shot Safe During Pregnancy?
By Christin Perry
pregnant woman getting flu shot
ACOG Releases New Guidelines for Flu Shots During Pregnancy
By Anisa Arsenault
ADVERTISEMENT
mom who was diagnosed with cancer during her pregnancy, with her newborn baby and partner.
My Cancer Diagnosis During Pregnancy Saved My Life
By Julianna Guevara
woman with cystic fibrosis tells her story of getting pregnant
My Cystic Fibrosis Pregnancy Defied the Odds
By Maxine Craig
pregnant woman wondering if viruses and colds are dangerous to her unborn baby
Q&A: Are Viruses Like Cold or Flu a Danger to My Unborn Baby?
By The Bump Editors
ADVERTISEMENT
close-up pregnant belly
Fifth Disease During Pregnancy
By Jennifer L.W. Fink
pregnant woman hands belly
Pregnant? Here’s Why the Flu Shot Is a Really Good Idea
By Anisa Arsenault
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis
By Jennifer L.W. Fink
Chlamydia During Pregnancy
Chlamydia During Pregnancy
By Sharon Phelan, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
Thrombophlebitis During Pregnancy
Thrombophlebitis During Pregnancy
By Deborah Ottenheimer, MD
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) During Pregnancy
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) During Pregnancy
By Rebecca Kolp, MD
Lyme Disease During Pregnancy
Lyme Disease During Pregnancy
By Jennifer L.W. Fink
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List