Lamictal and pregnancy

Re: Lamictal and pregnancy

Submitted by rbeauchene on Sun, 2011-07-03 - 19:36

Doctors are now saying not to worry about breastfeeding. At least that is what my neurologist has been telling me.

Re: Lamictal and pregnancy

Submitted by Lauriebell82 on Thu, 2011-10-27 - 14:05

Hi all,

 I am currently 16 weeks pregnant with my first child and take 800 mg daily of Lamictal. Prior to pregnancy I had not had a seizure for 15 years, recently I have been getting weird dizzy spells (which I never got before, even when I was having seizures). I am going to the neurologist in a few weeks to ask him what is going on. I'm thinking he might raise my dose, not sure if that is a good course of action though..I'm not sure if that would put the baby at more risk because I already take a fairly high dose.

 As far as breastfeeding goes, I have made the decision not to breastfeed, as I don't believe there is enough research done to indicate that the baby will be alright. I had spoken to my neurologist prior to getting pregant and he said the choice is up to me, as there is conflicting research about the effects that it has on the baby. I am very glad to hear so many mothers who took Lamictal and had healthy babies. That is my biggest fear, that my baby will be born with a birth defect because of my medication. I'm trying not to worry but it's so hard!!!

Re: Lamictal and pregnancy

Submitted by reikihealer on Wed, 2012-05-16 - 09:59

I am 28 and have epilepsy. I have been on Lamictal in the form of Lamotrigene for quite some time now (200 mg twice a day)and had my daughter in 2008. During pregnancy I felt like myself again, I hadn't felt that way since I was a child. I was followed by a neurologist for the majority of the pregnancy complete with med level checks and labs for liver function. I was also VERY careful about taking the lamotrigene, prenatal, and prescribed folic acid every day on time I had a perfectly healthy baby with no defects of any kind and without steven johnsons syndrome (life threatening skin rash). I breast fed while taking the same regimen and dosage and had no problems at all. At almost four years old, she is remarkably smart, healthy, and normal little girl with a perfect memory. I'm currently 7 months pregnant with a healthy boy and plan to breast feed again.