Epilepsy-Is my baby SAFE?
EPILEPSY is a neurological condition that causes a person to have seizures due to a brief mix-up of signals in the brain. There are many causes of epilepsy, which include head injury, meningitis, stroke or a scar on the brain. A person can also get epilepsy without any known cause.
Research has shown that Epilepsy results in low sexual drive due to anxiety and depression or side effects as a result of using Anti-Epileptic Drugs (AEDs). AEDs also result in the reduction of sperm count in men and cause irregular periods and ovulatory dysfunctions among women, making it difficult for them to conceive. However, it is possible for epileptic women to conceive.
When an epileptic woman conceives, her body uses up more AED’s because of increased blood volume levels and she may, therefore, need to consult a doctor who may revise her dose and eventually reduce it after the baby is born.
Will my baby be normal if I am epileptic?
Ninety percent of women who have epilepsy normally deliver healthy babies. However, the intake of some AEDs, such as Felbamate, affects the growth and development of the unborn within the first trimester when the baby’s main organs and the skeleton are developing.
Thus, the baby may be born with defects such as a heart problem, cleft lip, spinal problems or flaws in the nervous system. AEDs may also cause foetal anti-convulsant syndrome, a condition that affects a child after birth by slowing his/her growth and development of learning abilities.
Because of the possible adverse effects of AEDs on the unborn baby, an epileptic pregnant woman’s medication should be checked by a neurologist in order to determine the right dosage that will effectively reduce seizures while at the same time protecting the baby from developing malformations.
It is also advisable for her to take folic acid for three months before conceiving and during the first trimester, as it helps in the formation of the baby’s spine. Enough sleep and a healthy diet, are also very important. You should also avoid alcohol or smoking and exercise regularly. Medical practitioners also recommend the oral intake of vitamin K more often to prevent the unborn baby from developing bleeding problems.
Does it affect labour and delivery?
Most epileptic women usually deliver normally: especially if the midwife knows the expectant mother’s medical history and how to handle epileptic cases. A seizure may occur due to anxiety, pain and the increased breathing during labour. This can be stopped effectively by administering an intravenous injection of anticonvulsant.
In some cases, doctors administer anaesthesia to ease the labour pains and normally demand for a calm environment. In rare cases. Caesarean section is done if normal delivery will harm the mother or her baby.
After delivery, the baby may appear sedated until a few hours or days after birth due to the effects of the drugs the mother was taking during her pregnancy. However, this wears off and the baby may experience withdrawal symptoms such as poor feeding, irritability, vomiting and involuntary trembling. It is recommended that epileptic mothers breastfeed their babies even when they are on AEDs, unless these drugs affect their (the baby’s) weight.
General routine care for the baby including changing the diapers, feeding and cleaning should be done on a level and stable place where the baby will remain safe in case the mother suffers an attack.
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