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Epilepsy, pregnancy and parenting--an American perspective
1Epilepsy Monitoring Unit ML 518, University of Cincinnati Hospital, OH 45267.
Pregnancy for a woman with epilepsy is considered a high risk obstetric condition. However, 90% of women with epilepsy can have safe pregnancies and healthy babies. To achieve this goal several steps must be taken. The pregnancy should be planned and take place at a time when her seizures are well controlled with medications least harmful to the baby. Care during the pregnancy requires a collaborative effort between the neurologist managing her epilepsy and the obstetrician managing the pregnancy. Attention must be given to the effects of pregnancy on seizure control and the effects of the women's seizures and their treatment on the pregnancy. Education and support assist the woman and other significant people through this process. After the baby arrives, the woman needs to continue to maintain the best possible seizure control and to plan for the safety of herself and her child if seizures occur. This is a family effort. Attention must also be given to the needs of a child growing up in a home where a parent has seizures.
Pregnancy for a woman with epilepsy is considered a high risk obstetric condition. However, 90% of women with epilepsy can have safe pregnancies and healthy babies. To achieve this goal several steps must be taken. The pregnancy should be planned and take place at a time when her seizures are well controlled with medications least harmful to the baby. Care during the pregnancy requires a collaborative effort between the neurologist managing her epilepsy and the obstetrician managing the pregnancy. Attention must be given to the effects of pregnancy on seizure control and the effects of the women's seizures and their treatment on the pregnancy. Education and support assist the woman and other significant people through this process. After the baby arrives, the woman needs to continue to maintain the best possible seizure control and to plan for the safety of herself and her child if seizures occur. This is a family effort. Attention must also be given to the needs of a child growing up in a home where a parent has seizures.