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Mothers in mind- The Pregnancy diaries

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Last updated 28 Jul 2009, review date due 28 Jan 2010

Written by mothers to guide you through pregnancy and into early parenthood.

Foreword

Many women with epilepsy have told us that before pregnancy, and in pregnancy, they begin to think about their health and epilepsy. Baby footYou, yourself may wonder what affect your epilepsy, seizures or anti-epileptic drugs may have on the health of your unborn baby. Rather than wondering, you could request a copy of Epilepsy Action’s Mothers in mind booklet and ask your GP to refer you for preconception counselling. 

In the meantime, you may want a little support through your amazing journey or the decision making process. Epilepsy Action set up The Pregnancy Diaries, to help you and other parents and parent to be, to support each other.  

The Pregnancy Diaries has been written by mothers for mothers and fathers with epilepsy. The Pregnancy Diaries enable you to see similar journeys to your own.  You can discuss how scary pregnancy can seem, share tips to try and make parenthood run more smoothly (we can dream) and, laugh about all the funny moments that happen during pregnancy and the early years. You can even become part of it: why not share your own experiences with the diary? 

Whether you are thinking about pregnancy or pregnant already, we really hope that you enjoy reading about our pregnancy experiences and, find them useful. 

Good luck with your journey, wherever it takes you,
Best wishes,

Nicola, Jennifer and Ingrid (new mothers) and Nicole (Epilepsy Action).

 

 

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Comments

I have been epileptic since the age of 14 and also encountered early menopause at the age of 38. So we are now having to have an egg donor to help us conceive, hopefully the IVF will be taking place later this month, but I have to admit (all being well) that I am more terrified of having seizures after the baby is born as I mainly suffer them from tierdness or lack of/interrupted sleep. My doctor has already changed me from Phenytoin to Lamotrogine and already my once a year seizure now seems to be becoming once a month. I dont know if this is likely to become more frequent if I become pregnant, to be honest I have been told very little.

Submitted by Tina McGrane on 8 June, 2010 - 12:46.

Hello there

I am so glad that there is so much info on here about being pregnanet with epilepsy as I found out about two weeks ago that I am a month and half gone and I didn't know that I was even pregnanet when my doctor told me I didn't know what to do as I was scared because of my anit-epilepsy drugs which are 1000mg twice a day of keppra.

I have looked everywhere for books on pregnancy with epilepsy but there just nothing.

My friend told me to look on here for info and I am so glad I have.

You have given me so much info and put my mind at rest about a lot of things.

Thank you very much for starting this up I don't know what I would have done otherwise

Submitted by louise haddon on 12 January, 2010 - 22:01.

Hi Pam,

Thank you for sharing your experiences and showing parents and grand-parents they are not alone. Many parents worry about having a seizure when they are looking after children. Epilepsy Action website contains information on caring for children when you have seizures.

If you are worried about caring for children, you may like to discuss your fears through with our advisors on the Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 50 50.

And remember, if you have any good tips to help other parents with epielpsy, the Pregnancy Diaries is the place to share them.

Thank you,

Nicole

Submitted by Nicole Crosby-McKenna on 27 March, 2009 - 10:33.

Hi, I would love to pass on my experiences being pregnant and after being a mother with epilepsy. I still have seizures after 40 years and being a mother was the most scariest and enjoyable thing i have ever done. I have a daughter age 12yrs and my husband and I coped fine now ! I gave birth to my daughter and had a grand mal seizure after 12 hours of labour at the same time which nearly harmed both of us but we were all fine. I should have just had a C Section but wasnt told that at the time. Anyway, it took my 6 months to take Alicia (daughter) outside for a walk by myself which was just stupid of me... I had all these visions in my head of harming her but in 12yrs I have never hurt Alicia in any way. You have to remember you are their mother and you would never harm them. I was seeing myself having a seizure and pushing the pram under a bus etc... never did have a seizure by myself with her until she was 10 and that was at a basketball stadium and someone was there to help and calm Alicia down....As it was the first time she ever saw me have one...ADVICE... Have lots of sleep, take care of yourself first, dont over do it with the grog!!! , and you will be fine to bring up children and be a great mum. Oh one thing tell everyone you have epilepsy then your children will always have a helper in arms reach... Well thats a quick version of me as a mum.... PAM

Submitted by pam on 23 February, 2009 - 02:27.