Brain & Nervous System Epilepsy What to Know About Epilepsy and Pregnancy By Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH LinkedIn Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH, is a freelance health writer with over a decade of experience working as a registered nurse in a variety of clinical settings. Learn about our editorial process Published on January 24, 2023 Medically reviewed by Brigid Dwyer, MD Medically reviewed by Brigid Dwyer, MD Brigid Dwyer, MD, is a board-certified neurologist and an Assistant Professor of Neurology at Boston University School of Medicine. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Fertility Gestation Postpartum Frequently Asked Questions Epilepsy is a chronic seizure condition that can affect a person’s pregnancy and postpartum recovery. It does not appear to affect fertility or the ability to become pregnant. Epilepsy is one of the most common medical conditions among people of reproductive age. It’s estimated that more than 1.1 million women with epilepsy in the United States are of childbearing age. Each year about 24,000 babies are born to people with epilepsy. This article discusses how epilepsy affects fertility, gestation, and postpartum recovery. Prostock-Studio / Getty Images Epilepsy and Fertility Epilepsy does not impact your ability to become pregnant, but it is best to talk with your healthcare team before pregnancy begins. This is because epilepsy can significantly affect your pregnancy and the baby’s health. Work with your healthcare team to get your seizures well under control before conceiving. People who have been seizure free for nine months before pregnancy are likely to remain seizure-free during pregnancy. Some epilepsy treatments are not safe during pregnancy. Certain epilepsy medications, known as antiepileptics, have been linked to congenital disabilities when taken during pregnancy. Your healthcare providers may recommend switching medications when you are trying to conceive. Before getting pregnant, talk with your obstetrician-gynecologist (ob-gyn) and neurologist. Your neurologist will likely recommend a blood test to determine how much epilepsy medication is in your blood. This lab value will act as your baseline throughout pregnancy. Your healthcare providers will monitor your blood to ensure your medication dosage is safe for you and your baby. Is Epilepsy Genetic? Epilepsy sometimes runs in families, but most children do not inherit it from their parents. A child has about a 5% increased risk of developing epilepsy if their parent has it. Epilepsy and Gestation It is possible to have a healthy pregnancy and baby when you have epilepsy. For the majority of people with epilepsy, their seizure frequency remains the same or even decreases during pregnancy. However, people with epilepsy require special care during pregnancy to ensure their health and safety. Risks People with epilepsy are at risk of certain complications during pregnancy. It is possible to experience more seizures when you are pregnant. About 15% to 30% of people with epilepsy experience increased seizure activity during their pregnancies. This increase usually occurs in the first or third trimester. Possible triggers of increased seizure activity during pregnancy include: Hormonal changes Water and sodium retention Decreased blood levels of antiepileptic medication Stress Lack of sleep It is possible to experience more seizures during pregnancy because of how the body metabolizes epilepsy medication. The physical changes during pregnancy, such as weight gain and fluid retention, may cause your blood level of medication to go down. This means that your body will require an increased dose to prevent seizures. It’s important to see your neurologist regularly and have your blood tested for medication levels. Your neurologist will also test your kidney and liver function regularly. Pregnant people have an increased level of estrogen. Estrogen is considered pro-convulsive and can increase the risk of seizures. Treatment People with epilepsy must follow their treatment plan during pregnancy. Having a seizure while pregnant puts you and your baby at risk of injury and preterm birth. Work with your healthcare team to develop a medication plan to control seizure activity. Certain antiepileptic medications are unsafe during pregnancy because they raise the risk of congenital disabilities. The risk of congenital disabilities in the general public is 2% to 3%, and the risk in people with epilepsy is 4% to 6%. The most common congenital disabilities are cleft lip or cleft palate. Both of these conditions can be corrected surgically. Other possible congenital disabilities include cardiac and urogenital defects. Antiepileptics that have been linked to congenital disabilities include: Valproate or Depakote (valproic acid): Increases the risk of neural tube defects by 1% to 2% and increases the risk of major congenital malformations by 10% Topamax (topiramate): Increases cleft lip or palate risk Phenobarbital: Increases the risk of a fetal bleeding disorder Dilantin (phenytoin): Increases the risk of a fetal bleeding disorder If you are experiencing severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, your body may not absorb your medication. Talk with your healthcare provider about possible treatment options for morning sickness. Concerning Symptoms Concerning symptoms during pregnancy include increased seizure activity and any complications a seizure can cause. Possible risks of experiencing a seizure during pregnancy include: Physical injury (from falling) Fluctuating fetal heart rate Decreased oxygen to the fetus Preterm birth Low birth weight Epilepsy and Postpartum For most new parents with epilepsy, their condition does not affect their ability to heal in the postpartum period (after the baby is born). It is important to take extra safety precautions when with your baby in case you have a seizure. Perform diaper changes on the floor, and be sure to have another adult present when bathing your child. Impact on Recovery Research shows that people with epilepsy may be at increased risk of experiencing anxiety and depression during and after pregnancy. This could have a significant impact on your recovery and quality of life. If you have any concerns about your mood, talk with your healthcare provider immediately. There are treatments available to help you feel more like yourself. Breastfeeding Most people with epilepsy can safely breastfeed. If you are concerned about having a seizure while feeding your baby, make a plan with your partner or other supportive people. Consider having another adult present when you breastfeed if your seizures are not controlled. Many antiepileptic medications can be passed to your baby through your breast milk. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider about which drugs are safe. Medications that may not be safe to take while breastfeeding include: Luminal (phenobarbital) Mysoline (primidone) Ativan (lorazepam) Zarontin (ethosuximide) Coping With Epilepsy Summary Epilepsy is a chronic seizure condition that may affect pregnancy and postpartum. Having epilepsy does not affect your ability to become pregnant, but uncontrolled seizures during pregnancy can cause serious complications to you and your baby. Talk with your healthcare provider about a treatment plan before, during, and after pregnancy. Certain antiepileptic medications raise the risk of congenital disabilities, so it is important to work with your healthcare team before you become pregnant. Frequently Asked Questions Will pregnancy make my epilepsy worse? Most people with epilepsy experience the same or slightly improved seizure frequency during pregnancy. However, it is possible to have more seizures when you are pregnant. Stay in close contact with your neurologist when you are pregnant and alert them if your seizures worsen. Is it safe to breastfeed with epilepsy? For many people with epilepsy, breastfeeding is safe. Talk with your healthcare provider about your current medication plan to determine if any changes are needed. Consider having another adult present if you are concerned about having a seizure while feeding your baby. 7 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Epilepsy Foundation. Risks during pregnancy with epilepsy. Dupont S, Vercueil L. Epilepsy and pregnancy: What should the neurologists do?. Rev Neurol (Paris). 2021;177(3):168-179. doi:10.1016/j.neurol.2021.01.003 Penn Medicine. Myths about epilepsy and pregnancy. UT Southwestern Medical Center. Planning for pregnancy when you have epilepsy. Tomson T, Battino D, Bromley R, et al. Management of epilepsy in pregnancy: a report from the International League Against Epilepsy Task Force on Women and Pregnancy. Epileptic Disord. 2019;21(6):497-517. doi: 10.1684/epd.2019.1105. PMID: 31782407 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Drug Safety Communication: Risk of oral clefts in children born to mothers taking Topamax (topiramate). Meador KJ, Stowe ZN, Brown C, et al. Prospective cohort study of depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period in women with epilepsy vs control groups. Neurology. 2022;99(15):e1573-e1583. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000200958 By Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH, is a health writer with over a decade of experience working as a registered nurse. She has practiced in a variety of settings including pediatrics, oncology, chronic pain, and public health. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit