Epilepsy medication and pregnancy

[ShannonFarr]

Hi all mums I’m a new mum I’m currently 14 weeks pregnant I take 250mg of Lamotrigine twice a day I was taking folic acid as soon as I found out I was pregnant for the first 12 weeks and then stopped because the doctor only prescribed be enough for 12 weeks I was wondering if any of u other mums have taken epilepsy medication and had a healthy pregnancy , I worry like mad that something is going to go wrong at any point any replies would be great! Xx

I took Carbamazepine in pregnancy and have 2 healthy girls.... I later had some losses but not linked to Epilepsy.

In my first pregnancy I had a seizure around 16w, as my blood volume increased. I should have been put on an increased dose on the 2nd trimester. I don't know if this applies to Lamotrigine, but maybe worth checking.

Congratulations

Was on a higher dose than you of lamotrigine, also was on carbamazepine. 3 healthy babes.

These comments give me so much reassurance Thankyou ladies x

I’m on 125mg of Lamotrigine and had 2 healthy babies. I’m surprised about the folic acid though OP, I’m prescribed 5mg a day up until the menopause, I also took it through both pregnancies. Maybe worth a call to your consultant (epilepsy or pregnancy) to double check.

Both my pregnancies and births were normal, try not to worry xx

Hassle your GP OP to be referred to whoever looks after pregnant women with epilepsy (apart from midwives obvs) in your area OP if they haven't already. Here the epilepsy specialist nurses do it so even if the GP deals with you normally, the epilepsy nurse sees you in pregnancy just to keep on eye on medication etc.

FWIW my DD was fine - the majority are, although where I live I was automatically classed as high risk so got consultant care/ extra scans etc even though my pregnancy was entirely uneventful!

Did any of you ladies take the 5mg of folic acid all through your pregnancies I have no idea why the doctor told me to stop at 12 weeks

I’m not pregnant but am on lamotrigine and I take 5mg of folic acid daily (and it’s ongoing, presumably for life). Initially, my doctor hadn’t prescribed it and I wound up knackered and feeling quite unwell and it was due to low folate. As far as I’m aware, if you take lamotrigine you should be on folic acid whether you’re pregnant or not.

I take 500mg levetiracetam, and have 2 healthy DC. I did take folic acid throughout the pregnancy. Can you contact your GP and ask for another prescription? Will you be seen by a specialist obstetric epilepsy clinic? I don't know if this is what happens everywhere though. Maybe I was lucky that my local hospital happens to be the regional centre for higher risk pregnancies so had a clinic for women with epilepsy.

Hi OP, I take 125mg of lamotrigine and my neurologist kept me on folic acid throughout the pregnancy, the lamotrigine can make it harder to absorb iron. Definitely get in touch with a specialist to see alongside your regular midwife/GP.

Forgot to add that both DS and DD are perfectly healthy 😊

I was on Topamax (for migraines, not epilepsy) when I got pregnant. My doctor took me off it ASAP but it still took a month to come off it & apparently another month to get out of my system. I was prescribed 5mg folic acid right up to due date. DD is fine but it was a big part in our decision not to have another child.

Thankyou for all your comments ladies really reassuring I’m going to get onto my gp ASAP about the folic acid x