Hey girl, I know what you mean when you say that you're worried but don't be. I started having seizures when I was 10 and i'm also now 25, I have three wonderful boys and they're a wonderful part of my life. As long as you take care of yourself and go see your dr when you need to, i'm sure there won't be any problems.

I just recently got married and my husband and I are talking about getting pregant...But i'm so scared that because of my epilepsy that there may be too many complications and risks. The doctor said it was only going to increase risks to 6% or 8% if I stay on my medication (topamax)...But I still dont know if that is something I am willing to risk. He has also brought up the idea of surgery but again...I'm just really scared . I'm 23 and i've been having seizure since I was 17...I had 18 in 3 days...I know that being young is an advantage but still I dont want to do anything to endanger the life of my baby. If anybody out there has been pregnant and stayed on their epileptic meds...Write me and tell me how it went. I just want to have as healthy of a pregnancy as possible...And as safe. Thanx :d

hey abe, thanks for the reply, it's cool to hear from someone my age who has gone through this, I see my neurologist every 6 mo and my obgyn every year or when ever I need to. Not pregnant yet but looking forward to it. I'm taking 4mg of folic acid daily and staying on meds. Hope to hear from you again soon. Amy

hey jennie. Worrying about this will just make things worse. Keep seeing your neurologist and a high risk obgyn is a good idea, even before you get pregnant. Your neurologist can refer you to one. I was the same way, nervous, scared all of the above. But I did some research on the net and have talked to many people on the net who have been through this. Message me any time here, i'm also a nursing student, I graduate as an rn in dec. So I have a good background on this stuff too. Talk to you later amy

Hey, i'm 22 and my husband and I are also trying to get pregnant. I have a terrible fear of what could go wrong with me and my baby. I have a wonderful family and husband that support me, so I at least have that advantage, but I can't help but be scared. I have talked to my neurologist about it and my obgyn and they are going to communicate with each other to make this work. My obgyn is also considering sending me to a high risk doctor so they will know my situation in case something bad happens. I have heard of other people having children and it turning out just fine, and I have also heard of women having children and never having another seizure again, but I know everyone's situation is different. Anyone who wants to disuss this with me, I would really love it! . Thanks and good luck to everyone!

Hello ladies. I am twenty seven years old. I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was eight. I have two beautiul daughters. They are perfectly healthy.
With my first pregnancy I had four gran mal seizures. She is five now and just started kindergarten. My second pregnancy I had three seizures. My youngest is perfect.
I took 100mgs. Of phenobarbitol and 500mgs. Of depakote daily. They are fine. I can't tell you not to worry. But I can say the odds are in your favor. I think nature has a bigger margin for error than we realize. Remember it's "mother" nature and she will protect your baby.

Hi, I am 24 and have had seizures since the age of 11. I have been on lamictal for like 6 yrs it was brand new when I started. Anyway, I am curious if any of you mothers with epilepsy had complications during your pregnancies? I stayed on lamictal during both of my pregnancies and both children were 12 weeks premature and weighed less than 2 lbs a piece. I had to have them both taken by emergency c-section due to high blood pressure. I wondered if lamictal raises anyone elses pressure or if that was just another health problem ? After having my 1st the dr said it was very unlikely that I would have another premature child but guess what. It did happen the 2nd time. I have decided that I didnt want to risk another 3 months in the hospital. First baby was in nicu for 11 weeks the other was in there 6.5 months on oxygen and respirators. He was home only 6 weeks, still on oxygen, until his little lungs just gave way. So my hubby had a vasectomy but now we both wish we hadn't we both long for a baby. You response would be helpful

I took dilantin and tegretol during my pregnancies. One of my daughters has significant developmental delays.

Here is a website about fetal anticonvulsant syndrome:

http://www.Facsline.Org


aiwl

Hello amy,
my name is jamie. I'm 44 years old. My petit mals started back in the late 70's, I think do to a bad car accident. They frequently came over the next 20 years. I had no idea what was happening to me, never went to the doc. So from 36 to 38 they were getting worse and finnally I went into a grand mal. Went to 4 or 5 neuros and lots of meds. They found scar tissue on my right frontal lobe. Thay all ask about my childhood, spinal menigtis, bad case of measels, and the blow to the head from the car accident in 77. They all could not pin point it. I ended up at u.C.D.C.A. And went thru testing to make sure I was a canidate for surgery. I went thru it in june of 2002. They told me 40 to 60% chance it would work. Then the flip side it would work. Well iwas pretty bad before I went in gran-mals 1 a week petit mals 3 and 4 days in a row 6 to 13 a day. I lost my job no more driving. My boys were 12 and 14 when this started and I just left my husband 2 months before I had my first gran-mal.
My seizures are less. I have had only 6 gran-mals in 20 months, but I still get the auras, i'm aware when I have the small seizures. I used to be before the surgery to, but sometimes I go into the big one, so you never know, thats the scary part of being a epy. I still go to u.C.D. Every 3 months, they still play around w/ my meds. I was there yesterday. They just took me off of keppra, I was forgettting to many things. So he is upping my topamax.

So I would suggest to you, let them do a m.R.I. And a e.E.G. And find out where your sezires are coming from. Let them do there testing. If your a canidate. Talk to your family about surgery. For the first 4 years I thought they were all crazy. But I wanted a better life. I'm glad I did it because I was really sick my regular weight is 155 I went up to 176 w/ depakote then before b.S. I was 132.

take care jamie

I started having seizures when I was 14 diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 16 and was pregnant with my son that was 22 yrs ago.I was on phenobarb and dilantin.The dr tied my tubes then because of it.I am now 39 and thank god I havent had one in five years .Dont stress cause it can cause you to have a seizure.The dr told me my son would have problems or damage but he is a normal grown man now.He did nt do good in school after his father divorced me but now has his ged passed it with flying colors so there wasnt anything wrong.So hang in there and pray things will be fine.Mare