EPILEPSY IN PREGNANCY

By Daily News Reporter

Let me begin by reminding you that globally the month of February is seriously dedicated to the epilepsy disease.

This means that worldwide many organizations embark on various activities and disseminating epilepsy messages ahead of the International Epilepsy Day which falls on February 14 – also Valentine’s Day. Zambia, through the Ministry of Health in conjunction with many stakeholders, also joins the rest of the world to observe that important day. 

Last week I talked about epilepsy disease in general, as usual I received a lot of calls, as people wanted to know more information on that neurologic disease. 

Today I thought of discussing epilepsy in pregnancy. Science has revealed that: ‘’pregnant women with epilepsy have a greater risk for complications of pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes.’’

Problems that may arise during the course of pregnancy include an increase in seizure frequency, reduction of serum antiepileptic drug levels, and an increase in bleeding during pregnancy and after delivery.

Epilepsy and pregnancy: what you need to know

If a woman suffers from epilepsy, becoming pregnant might seem risky. But the odds are in your favour. Find out how to promote a healthy pregnancy.

In my research last week I came across informative information in an article which was written by a Mayo Clinic staffer. In that article I found the following information which I thought to share with you:

Epilepsy during pregnancy raises special concerns. While most people who have epilepsy deliver healthy babies, a certain woman might need special care during her pregnancy. Here's what you need to know:

Does epilepsy make it more difficult to become pregnant? Epilepsy alone doesn't have an effect on a woman’s ability to get pregnant. Some drugs used to treat seizures might make it more difficult to become pregnant, though.

Certain anti-seizure medications can reduce how well hormonal birth control methods work. If a woman is thinking about having a baby, she should ask her healthcare provider if there is a need to make changes to her medication.

How does epilepsy affect pregnancy?

There is a risk of the following problems when a seizure happens during pregnancy:

slowing of the fetal heart rate, decreased oxygen to the fetus, preterm labour, low birth weight and premature birth among other things.

Trauma to the mother, such as a fall, that could lead to fetal injury, premature separation of the placenta from the uterus (placental abruption) or even fetal loss.

Does epilepsy change during pregnancy?

Everyone's body reacts differently to pregnancy. For most pregnant people who have epilepsy, the number of seizures remains about the same, or seizures become less frequent. For others, particularly those who are deprived or don't take medication as directed, pregnancy can increase the number of seizures.

What about medication?

The medication you take during pregnancy can affect your baby. Birth defects — including cleft palate, neural tube defects, skeletal problems, and heart and urinary tract problems — are some of the potential side effects associated with anti-seizure medications. The risk seems to increase with higher doses and if you take more than one anti-seizure medication.

If you haven't had a seizure for nine months before you conceive, you're less likely to have a seizure during your pregnancy. If you haven't had a seizure for two to four years, you might be able to taper off medications before you conceive to see if you remain seizure-free. Talk to your healthcare provider before you stop taking any of your medications.

It’s my sincere hope that after writing two articles on epilepsy, people out there will now learn that epilepsy can be treated by modern medicine, rather than the myth of thinking that it can only be treated by traditional healers.