Can pregnancy increase seizure activity? As a rule no but in one third of the patients there is a reported increase in activity. Your chances of having more seizures is decreased if you have good control prior to your pregnancy. Getting plenty of sleep and taking your medication as directed will also reduce the risk.
Some of the common factors which can increase seizures during pregnancy is lack of sleep, failure to take medication, poor control prior to pregnancy and changes in the metabolism of medication caused by pregnancy.
Getting adequate sleep can not be any more important then now. Your system is already working overtime and lack of sleep is a well known trigger. Try to identify other triggers for your seizures and try to avoid them if possible.
Pregnancy changes the body's level of medication. The level becomes lowest right before delivery. Have your blood levels checked on a regular basis to see if adjustments in medication is needed.
It will also help to keep a record of your seizures. This will help your physician evaluate what should be changed or kept the same.
Many women consider going off of thier medications while pregnant to reduce the risk of birth defects. This should only be done with a doctors supervision. It is of course preferable to not have any drugs during pregnancy but most women will have seizures if the medication is discontinued. Usually women do not suspect they are pregnant until the end of the first month of pregnancy. By then any harmful effects of the medication will have already taken place.
Next week: Birth Defects and Medication
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