Epilepsy and Pregnancy

[Hilda]

Hello,
I'm currently six weeks pregnant and have been advised to continue taking Carbamazapine/Tegretol 200mg Retard twice daily. I'm very happy to be pregnant but am concerned about the risks to my baby.I suppose I'm just looking for some reassurance. Have any women on this forum taken Tegretol during pregnancy? How did this work our for you and your baby? Was the baby born without any serious problems? I'm worried about neural tube defects and deformities. I've been taking 5mg of folic acid for the last five years to try to offset the risks. I would really appreciate any positive stories in relation to Carbamazapine/Tegretol and pregnancy. My obstetrician has given me the statistical information, but it would be nice to know of some real life cases where things have worked out fine despite the medication issue.

 

[Nakamova]

Hi Hilda, welcome to CWE!

I don't have personal experience with Tegretol, but I hope others will check in. If you haven't seen them already, below are two threads from the archives that reference tegretol and pregnancy:

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/tegretol-xr-pregnancy-7408/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f20/hello-pregnant-epileptic-11933/

Hope all goes well for you.

Best,
Nakamova

 

[RiffRaffMama]

I was on Tegretol during my last pregnancy. It was initially 800mg/day but was increased to 1200 after I had a seizure at about 6 months. It was agreed the benefits outweighed the risks. My daughter is now a perfectly normal and healthy 18 month old. She has suffered no ill effects. We participated in a pregnancy epilepsy study to help understand it better and provide better data for future mothers

 

[Cordero]

For the first 3 months of my first pregnancy I was taking Tegretol 250 mg 3 times daily. My doctor weaned me off of it on to Keppra because Tegretol wasn't controlling my seizures. Keppra did better and had less side effects on me but everyone responds differently. I had no complications with pregnancy and delivery. But RiffRaffMama is absolutely right about the benefits out weighing the risks. I don't know what kind of seizures you have but if they are the severe ones they can cut off oxygen to the baby and if you fall that is definitely dangerous. Continue the meds and definitely take the prenantal vitamins with extra Folic acid. Atleast that's what I was instructed to do. I know how scary it is and I'll be praying for you.

 

[momof3boys]

During all three of my pregnancies I was taking Carbatrol 1200mgs a day, and Keppra 3000mgs a day. I had all healthy baby boys. Congratulations!

 

[Hilda]

Hi again,
It was great to read your stories. It's really reassuring to hear that you all had healthy babies.
Thanks so much for your support.