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terrified to get pregnant

Sat, 09/19/2009 - 11:59

Hello,

My name is Linzy and I am 26 years old. I was diagnosed with Absence seizures when I was 23. I have been on a boat load of medications to control them and now I am on Lamictal which has done the best so far. I have been increased recently because of some breakthrough seizures. My husband and I have decided to have a baby and I am terrified for the health of the baby. My doctor told me that Lamictal can cause cleft lip, palate etc., to the fetus and that I cannot breast feed. I take 125mg of lamictal in the morning and at night. I have always dreamed of having children - healthy children. I would love my child no matter what but doesn't everyone want healthy children, free of defects? I have also always dreamed of breast feeding. I was pretty devastated when my doc told me that I wouldn't be able to breast feed my child. I want to be able to have that connection with my baby. I guess I am just hoping for some similar stories and to know that there are people out there who understand where I am coming from and how much of an impact seizures can put on your life even if they are just absence.

 UPDATE (May 5, 2011): I thought that I would update this thread :) I am happy to tell you all that I am the very proud mother of a happy, healthy and totally normal 9 month old son =) I got pregnant shortly after posting this thread and my whole pregnancy and delivery was completely normal, problem free and most important of all, seizure free!! Towards the end of my pregnancy I did accumulate too much amniotic fluid but it wasn't a worry at all and my water ended up just breaking on its own 2 days after my due date which kicked off 21 hours of labor and 2 hours of pushing, to which I welcomed a very healthy 7lb 14oz baby boy (with the help of the vacuum because he was coming down at an angle and was a bit stuck!). He was pretty jaundice for a while because he ended up getting some of my blood during delivery but that went away within 2 weeks. He does have an undescended teste which is fairly normal in boys anyway and has nothing to do with the lamictal. He already had the first surgery to fix that and is doing awesome. I haven't had any seizures since before I got pregnant which is really awesome since I was having them fairly often. And which is even more amazing seeing as my soon to be ex-husband wanted a divorce right before we found out I was pregnant and wanted one even faster once we found out I was pregnant a week later. I ended up having to move 9 hours away back to my hometown while I was terribly sick with morning sickness. To go through all of that stress and not have a seizure is pretty awesome I think! I was really scared about birth defects and such when I was ttc but now I know how small of a chance those things are especially with lamictal and in the future if I find someone else to spend the rest of my life with I will have no fears about having more children. Thank you all for your support and for sharing your stories! I wish you all the best of luck!

Comments

Re: terrified to get pregnant

Submitted by linzysmith323 on Sat, 2009-10-03 - 19:43
Hi.  I will for sure post when I find anything out - you as well, please :) I see my neurologist at the end of this month and I have a ton of questions for him!

Re: terrified to get pregnant

Submitted by Smilz on Tue, 2009-10-13 - 16:51

Hi everyone - this is my first time actually adding something to a blog on here, so it's new, but I love knowing that there is a support system type deal and answers to questions as well.  My name also is Lindsay, I am also on Lamictal, and I am almost 26 (The similarities are uncanny!).  Anyways, I'm in the same boat as a few.  I'm thinking of possibly trying to get pregnant next year or so however I've been doing so well on Lamictal and frisium.  Haven't had a seizure in 2 years! YAY!!! 've been reading about having to change meds and that's scary.  Also I don't know how soon to try for a baby since I've also heard that with AED's it's harder to conceive.  Anyone have any stories or comments on any of this?? I have also always dreamed of having a healthy baby and wanting that breastfeeding connection (man Linzy we are rather similar).  I'm also hoping for a normal delivery and have also heard of women being healed of seizures after having a baby?!?!?!?

 I am a God believer and have total faith that the fact I've been seizure free for 2 years is due to being completely healed, but you can't be stupid and just go off your meds right away, so I haven't done anything crazy like that, but still I want a healthy pregnancy and such.

 Thanks everyone and thanks Linzy for starting this blog!

Hi everyone - this is my first time actually adding something to a blog on here, so it's new, but I love knowing that there is a support system type deal and answers to questions as well.  My name also is Lindsay, I am also on Lamictal, and I am almost 26 (The similarities are uncanny!).  Anyways, I'm in the same boat as a few.  I'm thinking of possibly trying to get pregnant next year or so however I've been doing so well on Lamictal and frisium.  Haven't had a seizure in 2 years! YAY!!! 've been reading about having to change meds and that's scary.  Also I don't know how soon to try for a baby since I've also heard that with AED's it's harder to conceive.  Anyone have any stories or comments on any of this?? I have also always dreamed of having a healthy baby and wanting that breastfeeding connection (man Linzy we are rather similar).  I'm also hoping for a normal delivery and have also heard of women being healed of seizures after having a baby?!?!?!?

 I am a God believer and have total faith that the fact I've been seizure free for 2 years is due to being completely healed, but you can't be stupid and just go off your meds right away, so I haven't done anything crazy like that, but still I want a healthy pregnancy and such.

 Thanks everyone and thanks Linzy for starting this blog!

Re: terrified to get pregnant

Submitted by scottmel on Tue, 2009-11-03 - 21:29
I am now 40 years old and over the last 1 year I am weaning myself off of all seizure medication! Only down to 1 500 mg. Keppra a day. However back when I was on a full dose, I would not even THINK of having a child. Too worrisome. I ended up adopting the sweetest angel from China who ironically enough has made me GRATEFUL for my condition as that is what had me explore other avenues for a family. I could not imagine my life without her and thank God for it. Epilepsy was a blessing for me...

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