Epilepsy and pregnancy

Hi everyone! I have been deemed high risk as I have epilepsy. If I’m honest, I don’t entirely know what this means with regards to additional scans, appointments etc.
Has anyone been through a high pregnancy for this reason? Which questions should I be asking? Should I be requesting additional appointments and of so, what/ when?

My epilepsy is completely controlled with medication so I’m not overly worried about seizures but did anyone struggle with symptoms at certain stages of pregnancy?

Thank you in advance 🙈 I know I’ve asked a lot of questions!

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Hi Laura,
I'm also high risk due to epilepsy but like you controlled with medication (for over 10 years now). I'm 38 weeks now and touch wood been fine throughout. You will be classed high risk because the pregnancy changes the hormones in your body which could in itself trigger a seizure, things like sickness, fatigue, tiredness, stress etc could and also depending what meds you take could affect baby's growth- they should put you on a growth pathway so that after 20 weeks you are having 2 weekly scans not just bump measurements and you are seeing a consultant to make sure baby is okay. I was also assigned regular checks/calls with an epilepsy nurse (my original one lol!) I never got any original symptoms. I also was prescribed 5mg folic acid and told to take it all through pregnancy , not just up to 12 weeks like most women- however this might just be due to my medication as its not the best for pregnancy -worth asking about though. There are also some pain meds you can't have as a pregnant woman.

You might already know so forgive me if I'm going on...pethidine is one they give frequently in a natural birth -it is a no-no in epileptic people as it is a pro-convulsant and will most likely cause a seizure so this needs to be noted in your plan , again your consultant should be involved and make sure of this so that on the day the team involved know and have an alternative. So you do need to be classed high risk and have special care yes. I was also told I would need to be taken in for an early epidural as the pain of labour could be a trigger for a seizure itself. As it is, my baby is breech so it's looking like a c section for me now anyway. Hope this helps a little but feel free to message if you need to and I will try and help! Good luck x

Hey! I am high risk due to my seizures as well , they wanted me to continue taking my meds but I haven’t. I’m 32 weeks now. I saw the high risk OB twice and I will start seeing him 2 weeks before my birth continually : haven’t had any additional scans or blood work done yet

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