JME and pregnancy

RE: JME and pregnancy

Submitted by seeker2 on Fri, 2004-04-09 - 12:33

Hi Kiwikon.I think you give good advice regarding sleeping when the baby does. I read that breast-feeding is considered valuable for all women and their babies, including most women taking AEDs.And that the baby will have become used to the drugs while in the womb, and there is only a small amount of the drug in breast milk,so that's reassuring to know at least.I am sorry that your breast feeding experience was as painful as you say,and that you had a torrid time of it,but you sound good and willing to share to help others.Is it right what I read that some drugs, for example phenobarbitone, can make the baby over-sleepy, so it might possibly be a a good idea to alternate bottle-feeds and breast-feeds? I do know that the information leaflets, which come with prescriptions of an AED, often include information about breast-feeding for that particular drug,and I'm sure that each individual neuro has their own advice in particular regarding changeover of drugs/titration rates,though some go faster than others in changeover or not as the case maybe,as each individual person responds differently to both drug exposure and rate of titration in changeover.I imagine that for you at the time talking and talking again all this through with your neuro and your husband may have helped regarding your own experience which,as you say in feeding the baby at night can be tiring ,and certainly it is helpful if a partner can take over some feeding duties. http://www.seizures.net/http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/pregnancy1.html

RE: JME and pregnancy

Submitted by Debby on Fri, 2005-05-06 - 12:23

I also have JME and am currently pregnant.  I was on depakote for my first pregnancy but had a miscarriage.  My doctor had tried alternative meds because Depakote is not a safe drug for pregnant women due to the high incidence of neural tube defects.  I tried others but they didnt work as well as Depakote.  For this pregnancy I have been on Keppra, which is a newer and safer drug.  So far my pregnancy has been great and I am 25 weeks along.  When you have epilepsy you qualify for much more detailed sonograms/ultrasounds to rule out any congenital abnormalities which is very assuring.  I am still trying to find out if Keppra is safe for breastfeeding.  If not there is nothing to be ashamed of for using formula.

As for sleep deprivation my husband has been told by my doctors that he has to do ALL THE NIGHT FEEDINGS!!!  When it comes from the doctor, they have to agree, and my husband is NOT comfortable with babies but he has simply agreed to do it, problem solved.  I hope this information has helped you a little.

RE: JME and pregnancy

Submitted by Ladybug on Tue, 2005-05-10 - 16:37

Oh, how I remember the fears of being a mom with epilepsy. A lot of the suggestions given here are great! I was on phenobarb and dilantin with all 3 of my pregnancies and have 3 beautiful, healthy children. The sleep deprivation was a concern of mine too, back then. I noticed that someone suggested sleeping when the baby sleeps. I would have to agree with that. My husband and I worked out a schedule for those night feedings. I would get up at night during the week (sleep during the day while baby was napping) and he would get up on the weekends (so I could have 2 full nights sleep). It worked for us wonderfully.Also, as far as breastfeeding? I didn't breastfeed any of my children, because I didn't want the meds that I was taking to go into their little bodies. It just seemed safer not to.Hope this helps.Ladybug