need advice

Hi marisam145, Thanks so much for posting. We understand this can feel very overwhelming and it's important that you express your concerns and fears to your healthcare team.Please visit,  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/women  &   https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2014/10/epilepsy-and-pregnancy-frequently-asked-questions      for additional information and questions to review with your doctor.   Learn more about epilepsy and pregnancy here,  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/women/epilepsy-and-pregnancy  &   https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/women/epilepsy-and-pregnancy/preparing-pregnancyYour emotional health and over all well-being is an important part of managing your epilepsy, https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsy/managing-my-seizures-101The Wellness Institute,  epilepsy.com/wellness  ,has many helpful and easy-to-use tips & resources for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and maximizing the quality of life for you & your family. Learn more here, https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/wellness-support-tools , for practical & effective strategies to enhance your well-being and overall quality of life.It may be helpful to connect with other people who live with epilepsy, to ask questions, share experiences, find & give support to each other, by contacting your local Epilepsy Foundation at, epilepsy.com/localsupport  ,to find support groups, events, and programs in your community. Additionally, our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org , can assist in connecting you to resources, provide referrals and additional support. https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/pg1L_HowWeCanHelp_09-2018.pdf 

Adopt. It's dangerous for the health of you and the potential child. It's selfish to put yourself and the baby at risk when there are homeless children right now. Sometimes adopting is free, sometimes it's expensive yes. But taking care of a child is also expensive. If you can't afford adoption fees, perhaps now is not the best time to consider having a child.

Hi MarisamWhile adoption may be a great solution for some women, pregnancy is NOT contraindicated for women with epilepsy.  Most women with epilepsy do not have problems during pregnancy and the risk of birth defects for most seizure medicines is low. thinking in advance like this is helpful so you have time to see an epilepsy specialist and learn what risks may pertain to you, and what doesn't. Also an epilepsy specialist can follow you during pregnancy and make sure you are on the best medication for you before pregnancy to lessen any risks.