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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 tonialpha on Wed, 2010-01-06 - 14:08

I was on Tegretol for my two!  First one, I had a generalized seizure at 6 months, then fine.  The second baby we moved from west to east coast.  At the time, I was having my babies they told me I could breast feed!  I had a minor problem.  I had inverted nipples.  The Neurologist said you tried, make it easier on yourself and I gave my babies Neutramagen.  They both had colic!!!  Now they have a lot more products on the market.  Get plenty of rest!  That was the key for me! I wasn''t grumpy and I didn't have a seizure!

They are teenagers. One is applying to college right now. My youngest is a freshman in high school.  The first baby I was attentive for any abnormalities and he had a slow reading comprehension.  My daughter did too. When I talked to friends and neighbors they did not take medications their children had similar problems. 

I am very grateful for the challenges I have received!  I wish you the best!

I was on Tegretol for my two!  First one, I had a generalized seizure at 6 months, then fine.  The second baby we moved from west to east coast.  At the time, I was having my babies they told me I could breast feed!  I had a minor problem.  I had inverted nipples.  The Neurologist said you tried, make it easier on yourself and I gave my babies Neutramagen.  They both had colic!!!  Now they have a lot more products on the market.  Get plenty of rest!  That was the key for me! I wasn''t grumpy and I didn't have a seizure!

They are teenagers. One is applying to college right now. My youngest is a freshman in high school.  The first baby I was attentive for any abnormalities and he had a slow reading comprehension.  My daughter did too. When I talked to friends and neighbors they did not take medications their children had similar problems. 

I am very grateful for the challenges I have received!  I wish you the best!

Re: terrified to get pregnant

Submitted by kathrina1 on Wed, 2010-01-06 - 14:51

I had baby on lamictal 400 mg and  I was nursing him as well. Dont be afraid so much. Your dosage is not so big and lamictal is safest drug to have babay on. My son is perfect. I was taking 5 mg of folic acid at a time as well to prevent malformations. My doc told me that some lamictal goes to milk but baby had  meds in him when I was preggo  so it is better to breastfeed him. And  he also told me to breastfeed before i take my meds and dont give milk to a baby 2 hours after I took them when  concentration in milk can be highest.

Im preggo again 19 weeks now but on zonegran. Lamictal did not control my seizures to well after baby so I had to switch. I wish I had this baby on Lamictal.

It is always a risk. Even for healthy women. You have 2 options. Live your life and enjoy it or be scared of everything what life can bring.

You be ok. Just take your meds, take a lot of rest, eat good food , a lot of folic acid befor you get preggo and you be ok.  Lamictal is best to get preggo on. Talk to your neurologist.

I had baby on lamictal 400 mg and  I was nursing him as well. Dont be afraid so much. Your dosage is not so big and lamictal is safest drug to have babay on. My son is perfect. I was taking 5 mg of folic acid at a time as well to prevent malformations. My doc told me that some lamictal goes to milk but baby had  meds in him when I was preggo  so it is better to breastfeed him. And  he also told me to breastfeed before i take my meds and dont give milk to a baby 2 hours after I took them when  concentration in milk can be highest.

Im preggo again 19 weeks now but on zonegran. Lamictal did not control my seizures to well after baby so I had to switch. I wish I had this baby on Lamictal.

It is always a risk. Even for healthy women. You have 2 options. Live your life and enjoy it or be scared of everything what life can bring.

You be ok. Just take your meds, take a lot of rest, eat good food , a lot of folic acid befor you get preggo and you be ok.  Lamictal is best to get preggo on. Talk to your neurologist.

Re: terrified to get pregnant

Submitted by shortie1986 on Thu, 2010-02-04 - 10:18

Linzy, I wish you and your husband all the best in life, and hope you have as many happy, healthy children as you wish for! You have done your research (plenty of it too), you are prepared to take the precautions advised and you genuinely want the best for your family! Epilepsy should be a part of your life, but not your entire life! You have the right attitude so go for it! Positive thinking, look after yourself and you will all be fine!! Wishing you love, happiness and good health for the future! You are an inspiration!!

Lisa

Linzy, I wish you and your husband all the best in life, and hope you have as many happy, healthy children as you wish for! You have done your research (plenty of it too), you are prepared to take the precautions advised and you genuinely want the best for your family! Epilepsy should be a part of your life, but not your entire life! You have the right attitude so go for it! Positive thinking, look after yourself and you will all be fine!! Wishing you love, happiness and good health for the future! You are an inspiration!!

Lisa

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