Pregnancy and Epilepsy

[katidid]

For any moms out there, did you experience more seizures or worse seizures before finding out you were pregnant or early in the first trimester? I know that the third trimester is usually considered the most dangerous time especially if the seizures increase or are worse, but I can’t find much consensus on seizure activity in the early stages. My husband and I think a sudden increase in my seizures & might be correlated but I can’t get into see my neuro for a few more weeks. Nothing about my routine has changed - maybe a little more stressed b/c of the pandemic - but everything else is normal.

Thanks for any advice!

[EpilepsyAction1 Partner Epilepsy Action]

Hi – It can be really helpful to share support and information so I hope you hear from others on this platform.

There are a few things that can cause seizures to happen more during pregnancy. Sometimes it can be the type of epilepsy you have. And lifestyle factors such as stress or lack of sleep can play a part.

Pregnancy can also have an effect on the level of epilepsy medicines in your blood so this can sometimes be a factor as well. It does depend on which epilepsy medicine you take. So it could be worth talking to you epilepsy doctor to see if this could be the problem. They’d usually suggest a blood test to check things out if it could be.

We’ve some information on our website that explains more that you might find useful:

epilepsy.org.uk/info/daily-...

You might be interested to know we have other online services that you may be able to use to link with others as well.

Here are the links:

forum.epilepsy.org.uk/

facebook.com/epilepsyaction

instagram.com/epilepsyaction/

twitter.com/epilepsyaction

I hope these seizures settle and we wish you well for your pregnancy.

If you’ve got any more questions or anything you want to talk through you’d be welcome to call us at the Helpline: epilepsy.org.uk/info/suppor...

Regards

Mags

Epilepsy Action Helpline Team.

[EpilepsyAction1 Partner Epilepsy Action]

Hi – It can be really helpful to share support and information so I hope you hear from others on this platform.

There are a few things that can cause seizures to happen more during pregnancy. Sometimes it can be the type of epilepsy you have. And lifestyle factors such as stress or lack of sleep can play a part.

Pregnancy can also have an effect on the level of epilepsy medicines in your blood so this can sometimes be a factor as well. It does depend on which epilepsy medicine you take. So it could be worth talking to you epilepsy doctor to see if this could be the problem. They’d usually suggest a blood test to check things out if it could be.

We’ve some information on our website that explains more that you might find useful:

epilepsy.org.uk/info/daily-...

You might be interested to know we have other online services that you may be able to use to link with others as well.

Here are the links:

forum.epilepsy.org.uk/

facebook.com/epilepsyaction

instagram.com/epilepsyaction/

twitter.com/epilepsyaction

I hope these seizures settle and we wish you well for your pregnancy.

If you’ve got any more questions or anything you want to talk through you’d be welcome to call us at the Helpline: epilepsy.org.uk/info/suppor...

Regards

Mags

Epilepsy Action Helpline Team.

[katidid]

Thank you for the reply. I looked up my medications and pregnancy does affect their levels significantly, specifically clearing out faster and levels dropping very fast. Changes to my medication routine is my #1 trigger, so this explains slot.

Again, thank you. I would never have even guessed this. Speaking with my neuro this week!