Pregnancy and Lamotrigine (epilepsy)

[moola1]

Hi,
I'm considering trying for a 3rd child.

I developed epilepsy when pregnant with my 2nd. I had one actual fit during the pregnancy, and then quite a few focal awareness seizures once born but nothing for 3 years.

I'm worried that the Lamotrigine might cause issues with the pregnancy/baby. I have contacted neurologist who is going to ring me soon.

I'm just looking for anyone's personal experiences with taking Lamotrigine and pregnancy. Did it all work out ok for you, or were there issues?

I’ve been epileptic since I was 14. I’m on Keppra, after having a neuro appt when pregnant last time they said lamotrogine And Keppra were the 2 safest drugs to be on and work similarly. I stayed on my same dose and whilst pregnant was asked to ring the consultants secretary if I had any issues or increase in seizures (luckily I didn’t need to) for an appt rather than go down the gp route.
I had a pre-pregnancy neuro appt to discuss epilepsy, meds, pregnancy and post natal care. Youll need to be on 4mg folic acid for 3m before pregnancy and then you’ll get growth scans to ensure the spine is growing properly (slightly increased chance of spina bifida- folic acid reduces risk). Sounds bleak writing it down but all was fine and I was well looked after!

Thanks so much for responding.

I'm so worried that I'm 'rolling the dice'. I have 2 perfectly healthy children. Am I potentially being silly trying for another one when there is a slight risk of something going wrong/birth defects etc.

Could I ask if the increased risk with spina bifida is down to the medication, rather than just having epilepsy?

Thanks for writing your experience :)

It’s down to the medication. It’s why you’ll be put on 4mg of folic acid rather than the standard 400mcg. The percentage goes from about 2% in a ‘normal’ situation to about 2.5% I think. So still really low! You’d generally find out at the 12 or 20week scan if there was a spine defect as that is one of the checks isn’t it? 🙂