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Epilepsy and Pregnancy

Fri, 04/15/2005 - 06:47
Epilepsy and Pregnancyby Stacey Chillemi Dr. Blanca Vazquez, MD Demos Medial Publishing Due Sept. 2005 224 pagesSoftcover1-932603-15-8Regular Price:$19.95Discount Price:$16.96Approximately 2.5 million people in the U.S. suffer from epilepsy; of these, more than one million are women of child-bearing age. With concerns about everything from medication-related birth defects to falls during seizures, many of these women are fearful of having children. The good news is that, with proper prenatal care, more than 90% will deliver healthy babies. Epilepsy and Pregnancy gives readers the basic facts they need to help them make medical decisions throughout preconception, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the early days after childbirth. Topics include preconception, fertility, pregnancy risks, risks to the fetus, nutrition, keeping fit, what to expect during pregnancy, fetal development, and labor and delivery. In addition, the book includes guidelines for the use of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy, recommendations and questions to ask their neurologist, recommended daily allowances by age group, glossary, and much more. Epilepsy and Pregnancy is an essential guide for any woman who suffers from epilepsy and desires to have a child. CONTENTS: My Story; Preconception; Fertility; Risks of Pregnancy; Risks to the Baby; Pregnancy; What to Do to Protect Yourself and Your Baby; Nutrition; Keeping Fit during Pregnancy; What to Expect When You're Pregnant; Fetal Development; Labor and Delivery; Taking Care of Yourself after Childbirth; Breastfeeding; Childcare; A Few Words from the Author; Organizations to Contact for Help; Glossary; The AED Pregnancy Registry: Questions and Answers; References. ExcerptEpilepsy and Pregnancy gives readers the basic facts they need to help them make medical decisions throughout preconception, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the early days after childbirth. Topics include preconception, fertility, pregnancy risks, risks to the fetus, nutrition, keeping fit, what to expect during pregnancy, fetal development, and labor and delivery. Approximately 2.5 million people in the U.S. suffer from epilepsy; of these, more than one million are women of child-bearing age. With concerns about everything from medication-related birth defects to falls during seizures, many of these women are fearful of having children. The good news is that, with proper prenatal care, more than 90% will deliver healthy babies. Approximately 2.5 million people in the U.S. suffer from epilepsy; of these, more than one million are women of child-bearing age. With concerns about everything from medication-related birth defects to falls during seizures, many of these women are fearful of having children. The good news is that, with proper prenatal care, more than 90% will deliver healthy babies. Epilepsy and Pregnancy gives readers the basic facts they need to help them make medical decisions throughout preconception, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the early days after childbirth. Topics include preconception, fertility, pregnancy risks, risks to the fetus, nutrition, keeping fit, what to expect during pregnancy, fetal development, and labor and delivery. In addition, the book includes guidelines for the use of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy, recommendations and questions to ask their neurologist, recommended daily allowances by age group, glossary, and much more. Epilepsy and Pregnancy is an essential guide for any woman who suffers from epilepsy and desires to have a child. CONTENTS: My Story; Preconception; Fertility; Risks of Pregnancy; Risks to the Baby; Pregnancy; What to Do to Protect Yourself and Your Baby; Nutrition; Keeping Fit during Pregnancy; What to Expect When You're Pregnant; Fetal Development; Labor and Delivery; Taking Care of Yourself after Childbirth; Breastfeeding; Childcare; A Few Words from the Author; Organizations to Contact for Help; Glossary; The AED Pregnancy Registry: Questions and Answers; References. ExcerptEpilepsy and Pregnancy gives readers the basic facts they need to help them make medical decisions throughout preconception, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the early days after childbirth. Topics include preconception, fertility, pregnancy risks, risks to the fetus, nutrition, keeping fit, what to expect during pregnancy, fetal development, and labor and delivery.

Comments

Re: Thank you for the information!

Submitted by lb34 on Thu, 2009-08-20 - 01:28
LB Hello all, I am 26 weeks pregnant and my epilepsy is not controlled.  I am on zonegran and keppra... Lamictal didn't work for me at all.  Anyway, they are controlled enough, I guess.  I get everything from focals to grand mals.  The detailed structural ultrasounds say the baby is fine so I am not concerned about his health.  My main concern is about the actual labor and childbirth.  My first child I had without meds...I didn't have E then and I don't know if this is a possibility again.  I also breastfed my daughter.  Can I do this??  I also carried her around in a snuggly for the first 6 mo.  this doesn't seem wise now.  Is there a stroller anyone can recommend that locks from the handle?  My auras are visual so it will be hard to see the foot break/locks if I need to lay down while I am walking my daughter to school.  Stacey does your book cover any of these topics??  Thanks, Lynn

RE: RE: Epilepsy and Pregnancy

Submitted by gkurutz on Thu, 2005-04-14 - 20:20
Hi Angela. This is my first time posting. I also changed from Depakote to Lamictal for family planning. I have been on Lamictal for 2 1/2 years and I feel much better than when I was on Depakote. I dropped 30 pounds immediately after changing meds.I have been seeking information about pregnant women with epilepsy for a long time. I have really wanted to meet or speak to women who have had successful pregnancies on medication, but I haven't had any luck. I would love to hear about any information you might have found. I think I will also check out Stacey's book as well.Thanks,Gina

RE: Epilepsy and Pregnancy

Submitted by jtschley on Fri, 2005-04-15 - 06:47

Hello Stacey Chillemi

  We have been looking for information about this.  I am in the military on shore duty and my wife is 7 months pregnant and has Absenst seizures as well as non-epileptic seizures see is taking 3 meds plus has the VNS.  Our OBGYN wants her to be admitted to a hosptial for supervsion until the baby is born.  Since our insurance won't pay for that in this area, we are in the process of asking to be moved to Bethesda, MD so she can be seen at the Naval Hospital and be within 40 miles of my family.  Our OBGYN has allowed her to be on bed rest unless someone is there with her.

  The absent seizures appear to be undercontrol the non-epileptic seizures are still speratic.  How do you judge what kind of supervision is needed over the mother nursing or holding the baby.  We have asked some of the Docs here and they don't know.

Hello Stacey Chillemi

  We have been looking for information about this.  I am in the military on shore duty and my wife is 7 months pregnant and has Absenst seizures as well as non-epileptic seizures see is taking 3 meds plus has the VNS.  Our OBGYN wants her to be admitted to a hosptial for supervsion until the baby is born.  Since our insurance won't pay for that in this area, we are in the process of asking to be moved to Bethesda, MD so she can be seen at the Naval Hospital and be within 40 miles of my family.  Our OBGYN has allowed her to be on bed rest unless someone is there with her.

  The absent seizures appear to be undercontrol the non-epileptic seizures are still speratic.  How do you judge what kind of supervision is needed over the mother nursing or holding the baby.  We have asked some of the Docs here and they don't know.

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