Answers > Can You Have a Successful Pregnancy and Healthy Baby if You Have Epilepsy?

Can You Have a Successful Pregnancy and Healthy Baby if You Have Epilepsy?

by Faces of Epilepsy on December 29, 2011

I just found out at age 30 that I have epilepsy, and I am taking meds for it. I am wanting to try to have a baby is that a good idea or not?

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Heron December 27, 2010 at 10:30 pm: Yes, it’s possible to have a healthy baby, but you’ll want to talk with your neurologist about whether or not this is a good idea for you. Is your medication keeping your seizures under control? Could it harm an unborn baby? If so, is there a different medication you could try? He might ask you to wait until your condition has stabilized. The Epilepsy Foundation has a good factsheet about pregnancy and epilepsy: http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/answerplace/Life/adults/women/Professional/pregnancy.cfm

If your neurologist cautions you against pregnancy, you might look for one who’s willing to help you become a mother. The newer medications are much better than the old ones were, but some doctors are behind the times.

I was diagnosed with epilepsy in my 30s, too, so you have my empathy.
mytwodogs60463 December 27, 2010 at 11:25 pm: your baby could have epilpesy becuase you have it. I wouldn’t have kids becuase I had epilpesy and saw what it did to me and I didn’t want to put an infant through that.

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