Has anyone else had a baby while been on epilem and how did you find your pregnancy and birth ?

[chantelle1991]

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Hi, I regret I made the decision not to have children due to my epilepsy many years' ago. I suggest you speak to your Neurologist/Doctor regarding Epilim and pregnancy.

[AmyBadd]

Hi,

I would also be interested in any answers to this question. I am on Epilim Chrono and would like to have children soon. I'm sure you are aware that this is one of the types of AED (anti-epilepsy drug) that is thought to increase the risk of birth defects in children. I believe that it is usual to initially avoid putting girls and young women on these AEDs and as such I tried two other drugs (Keppra and Lamotrigine) but neither helped my seizures. Epilim completely controls them.

I have been given lots of useful information from my doctor and nurse and they have helped me gradually reduce my level of medication from 1200mg to 800mg per day over the last two years, as it is believed that the risk is related to the dose. I daren't reduce any further, though, because I don't want to start having seizures again as of course this would be an even bigger risk for both me and babies.

I have also been told that I must try very hard not to become unexpectedly pregnant, so be vigilant with birth control. I think the main reason for this is that they want to put you on supplements even before you become pregnant to help prepare your body. They've told me to contact them 3-6 months before starting to try to get pregnant so I they can prescribe me folic acid to start taking then, and at a much higher dosage than the over-counter dose that most pregnant women would take.

I hope this is useful to you, but you should definitely talk to your epilepsy nurse (I hope you have one!!!) or else your doctor about this. I see my nurse at least once a year and this is always the main thing she wants to talk about. It is a big deal for young women with epilepsy.

Amy

[Spikeysusie]

Hi yes I've had 2 children while taking epilim, they are now 9 and 6. The main thing I was advised to do and was prescribed by my Dr, was take 12 times the usual dose of folic acid in order to combat the effects of epilim regarding Spina bifida. Both of my kids are absolutely fine and I don't think I had any pregnancy complications that I wouldn't have had, had I not been epileptic. Try contacting the epilepsy nurse at your local hospital, they were most helpful when I was deciding what to do about children. all the best xx

[chantelle1991]

thank you xx

[Taratara]

I was on Epilim and Phenytoin for all my children. They are now 25, 22 and 20. In the olden days (!) there was not as much known about the effects on the fetus and I was never warned about defects due to both of these drugs.

I have three beautiful children but I will be honest with you. My oldest and youngest are fine and were always healthy, never a visit to a doctor.

My middle child was still healthy but he did have a few problems over the years. As a young child he was slightly ocd. He took several urine infections until it was found out that his urine went back up to his kidney. One kidney became slightly damaged because of this until he had an op to stop the urine going back up. He had stabismus(squint in his eye.) He was diagnosed with a multiple tic disorder and adhd. His testicles were undescended and this was only found out at the age of ten but has now been sorted. Socially, he found things difficult at times. He does not like change and sees things as black and white.

I feel writing this that I have painted a black picture of my son - please do not think so. He had friends all during school and still does. He left school, decided he wanted to be a plumber and is now in his 4th year. He decided he wanted his drivers licence- passed first time. The tunnel vision actually helps at times!

I had three children and in my eyes they are all grown up and healthy. Yes, one of them had a few issues and I myself believe it was my medication but it may not have been.

I was on 1800mg sodium valproate and 400mg epanutin(phenytoin) together a day.

Pregnancy and birth was the same as the next persons.

[Honeyjn15 in reply to Taratara]

Thank u for your motivation. I'm also planning but my wife is taking sodium valproate 500 mg per day from past 15 years.

So what extracare should I take for my wife so that I can get health baby

[AmyBadd]

Thank you for the great answers to this question Puts me more at ease about my plans.