Jun 9, 2009 5:59 pm US/Eastern
Doctors Help Epileptic Women Have Safer Pregnancy
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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For many women, pregnancy is a wonderful time of life, but for those who have serious health problems, carrying a baby can threaten the mother's health or her unborn child's.
CBS
For many women, pregnancy is a wonderful time of life, but for those who have serious health problems, carrying a baby can threaten the mother's health or her unborn child's.
Healthwatch reporter Kellye Lynn shows how local doctors are guiding women with epilepsy to a safer, healthier pregnancy.
Many women with epilepsy are concerned about the anti-seizure medication that they take and the possible effects on their unborn child. Now new guidelines are helping to allay those concerns.
At just four months old, baby Gabe already has the keys to his mother's heart. He's a happy, healthy boy--something his mother wasn't sure was possible, considering her epilepsy.
"Birth defects, that was my primary concern, and how it would affect him," she said.
Birth defects were possibly caused by Natalie's medication. She's one of the 40 million Americans who suffers from the neurological condition that causes repeated seizures. About 500,000 of those who have epilepsy are in their childbearing years.
"The large majority of women who have epilepsy and seizures have very healthy pregnancies," said Dr. Jennifer Hopp, University of Maryland Medical Center.
She's part of a team of researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center that developed new guidelines to help epileptic women navigate their way through a healthy pregnancy.
After analyzing data, she and her colleagues determined that expectant mothers should, if possible, avoid the drug Valproate, also known as Depakote, which can cause fetal deformities and possibly lower a child's IQ. They should limit all medications during pregnancy to help reduce the risk of birth defects, have blood tested throughout the pregnancy to ensure medication levels are sufficient and avoid smoking, which can lead to premature contractions and pre-term delivery.
"Some of the other medications reviewed included phenobarbital and Phenytoin," Dr. Hopp said. "These also seemed to lead to decreased IQ."
Before getting pregnant with Gabe, Natalie switched to a milder medication called Lamictal.
"I hate to say that but it was very easy. I was in labor for an hour and I've totally forgotten about it now," she said.
With her health concerns behind her, Natalie can focus her attention on her beautiful bundle of joy.
The American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society have adopted these latest guidelines.
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