Just found out I'm pregnant... What happens now?

[girlwithadog]

I was just diagnosed with epilepsy in April and refused the medication for the time being. I had a fear of medication so I didn't take it and my neurologist is aware of this.
I haven't had loss of consciousness during a seizure since may 2012 and before that August 2011, before that August 2008 and before that June 2008, those were drop and grand mal seizures, on a somewhat regular basis I have simple partial seizures and my EEG confirmed the epilepsy.
So I found out this morning that I am pregnant. With the risk of pregnancy and epilepsy I don't know what to expect, when I should be seen, how often, etc. does anyone have any experience they can share with me or anyone know what I should do next?
Thank you

 

[Nakamova]

Congratulations!

Since you are not on medication, it's somewhat less crucial, but I hope you are taking a pregnancy vitamin supplement with folic acid. As for how to gauge the risks v. benefits of proceeding unmedicated, that's a conversation best had with your neurologist and OB/GYN. You want them on the same page.

Because the efficacy, dosage, and side effects of anti-seizure meds are unpredictable and your medication response is unknown -- and also because your most recent history doesn't involve grand mal seizures -- the docs will most likely recommend proceeding in watch-and-wait mode: Keep close watch on your symptoms. Only in the event of a rapid serious escalation of seizure symptoms would medication be considered.

 

[girlwithadog]

Thank you nokamova! I will call my neuro and OB on Monday. I have one child now and during that pregnancy I didn't have a drop or grand mal, but my simple partials were happening 20-30 times every day but we didn't know I had epilepsy at the time and the docs kept saying it was strange panic attacks.
Since I did it before I pray I can do it again without meds or any difficulties. Once the baby is born if I opt out of breast feeding I will start on AEDs

 

[notime]

You should be fine long as you have simple partial seizures, I guess it depends on the symptoms. But, I've read that simple partials can go untreated depending on the symptoms if it's just a simple twitch or something you could be fine. Good luck though, hopefully your neurologist and OB will give you helpful advice!

 

[Cint]

I have two grown children now, but when I was pregnant with both of them, I had already been diagnosed with E and was taking Dilantin at the time. As Nak said, I also took Folic Acid during the pregnancies and both pregnancies went well. I didn't experience seizures during the pregnancies. Both children are healthy. But I didn't breast feed either one because of the med I was on.

but my simple partials were happening 20-30 times every day but we didn't know I had epilepsy at the time and the docs kept saying it was strange panic attacks.
Since I did it before I pray I can do it again without meds or any difficulties. Once the baby is born if I opt out of breast feeding I will start on AEDs

If you experienced SPs during your last pregnancy, keep a close eye on them this time and make sure they don't continue. They could intensify, turning into a CP or TC. Make sure your OB/GYN and your neurologist are on the same page.

And CONGRATULATIONS! Hope you do well.