Anyone on seizure/epilepsy meds while pg?

MrsFv20

If the u/s and everything goes well, my doc wants me to go see a specialist to see if I should go back on seizure medications. I've been off for years since my seizures are normally easy to control, but with the pregnancy hormones, etc. and especially after the baby comes (my trigger is not getting enough sleep...so that should be fun right ), they want to make sure I stay safe.

I was on Lamictal before and I know they wouldn't put me on anything that could hurt the baby but have any of you had to be on epilepsy meds too during pregnancy? Any problems? 

kimber926

I'm on Keppra ( Levetiracetam), and it's very effective for me.  I take 1125 mg in the morning, 750 at night.  I've been on it since I started TTC four years ago.  I was on Dilantin previously, which is bad for babies.  Keppra shows no higher incidence of defects than a normal pregnant woman would have.  It is still a fairly new drug and there is a registry that tracks patients.  It's also quite expensive.  I pay $400 a month and take extra folic acid in addition to my prenatals.

 

My OB has had patients on Keppra and everything was great.  Both my OB and Neurologist are big fans.  Good luck!

horizon1322

I just finished weaning off of Lamictal on Friday (not for seizures but another usage of that medication). Lamictal is one of the safest ones for pregnancy. The main risk is in 1st tri because one study has shown an increase in the occurrence of cleft lip and cleft palate in babies of mothers who were on Lamictal. However, two other studies have not found this to be the case.

That's a basic summary, but if you want more info, feel free to PM me (don't bother paging me to let me know because I rarely check 1st tri). I've done a LOT of research on it and would be happy to answer any questions the best I can.

GL!