Women with epilepsy face unique challenges during pregnancy, necessitating careful planning, monitoring, and coordination between healthcare providers to ensure the health of both the mother and the unborn child. Dr. Vinit Banga, Associate Director of Neurology at BLK Max Super Speciality Hospital, highlights the importance of preconception counseling to discuss treatment options and potential risks associated with antiepileptic medications.
Dr. Banga emphasizes the need for close monitoring throughout pregnancy to adjust medication dosages and maintain seizure control while minimizing harm to the fetus. Regular prenatal care, including ultrasounds and prenatal tests, is crucial to monitor the baby’s growth and detect any potential complications early on.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also essential for pregnant women with epilepsy, including adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and avoiding triggers such as alcohol and recreational drugs. Dr. Banga underscores the importance of specialized care during labor and delivery to minimize the risk of seizures and ensure a safe delivery for both mother and baby.
Dr. Bhupesh Kumar, Senior Consultant Neurologist at Artemis Hospital, emphasizes the importance of maintaining stable medication levels to prevent seizures while minimizing risks to the unborn child. He advises regular monitoring through prenatal visits and genetic counseling to assess the risk of passing epilepsy to the child.
Despite potential risks, Dr. Kumar reassures that many women with epilepsy deliver healthy babies with proper management and monitoring throughout pregnancy. Individualized care and close collaboration between healthcare providers are essential to optimizing outcomes for both mother and child.
