Epilepsy and pregnancy

Epilepsy, as you know, is quite a serious, long-term mental illness.

Unfortunately, no one is immune from exacerbations and complications during pregnancy.

Therefore, when planning a desired pregnancy, each woman has to choose the most optimal period of time for conception.

Planning pregnancy for epilepsy

So, we found out that it's possible to give birth to epilepsy.

However, when planning a pregnancy, one must not forget that epilepsy is not in an alarming stage of exacerbation.

Since epileptic seizures and medications taken by a pregnant woman can have a negative impact on the fetus.

Complications of epilepsy and certain medications are capable of provoking the appearance of defects and malformations of the fetus.

Medical professionals are aware that epilepsy and pregnancy are not compatible if:

• epilepsy is accompanied by generalized severe attacks;
• epilepsy is not curable;
• epilepsy is accompanied by serious mental disorders.

In all other cases, with proper behavior and timely treatment, a pregnant woman has good chances to endure and give birth to healthy offspring. According to statistics, about 90% of children born to an epileptic mother will be healthy.

A woman with epilepsy should correctly prepare for the long-awaited conception:

• during pregnancy should be protected from pregnancy using contraception( note that anticonvulsants reduce the protective function of hormonal contraceptives);
• hold obligatory consultations with a neurologist and gynecologist.

Epilepsy and pregnancy

Given the correct preparation for pregnancy under the supervision and supervision of doctors, and if pregnancy and childbirth go without complications and exacerbations, a woman can expect the appearance of a strong and healthy offspring.

Sometimes, however, an epileptic seizure may occur for the first time, suddenly and precisely during pregnancy.

The main symptoms of epilepsy in this case are:

• syncope;
• dizziness;
• permanent migraine;
• insomnia;
• hysteria.

Only a specialist doctor can expose a pregnant woman to the correct diagnosis and inform her that she has epilepsy.

Today, doctors all over the world recognize that it is impossible to accurately predict the order of the pregnancy course in a woman suffering from epilepsy.

Female body is able to respond to pregnancy with epilepsy is inadequate and unpredictable.

One woman does not have any noticeable changes; in others, the general condition of the body can even improve, however, there are also cases when a pregnant woman or her newborn baby ends in a lethal outcome.

Moreover, generalized seizures are especially dangerous, during which time in the body of a pregnant woman occur:

• deterioration of oxygen supply of the fetus;
• circulatory disorders;
• increase in the probability of injury when falling.

Nevertheless, in the absence of pathologies of fetal development, constant monitoring of pregnancy, the presence of epileptic seizures is not a mandatory indication for caesarean section.

That is, childbirth can easily go through a natural, natural way.

Treatment of epilepsy in pregnant women

During pregnancy, treatment for epilepsy does not stop and does not stop, as giving up medicines can only:

• worsen the situation;
• to weaken the health of the patient;
• lead to an increase in the number of seizures.

It is equally important to take care of the gradual transition from one medication to another.

Often, treatment of epilepsy during pregnancy is carried out with only one kind of medications( mootherapy).

Usually, in this capacity are:

• valproat;
• carbamazepine.

For relief of seizures, as a rule, relanium is used.

To prevent miscarriage and reduce the negative effects of medicines on a future baby, folic acid is recommended.

For the treatment of epileptic seizures, it is very important:

• to observe a full-fledged diet regime( fatty meat, chocolate, coffee are excluded);
• is more often in the open air;
• to comply with sleep and wakefulness.

Take care of yourself.

Stay healthy!

Video: Epilepsy and pregnancy