Improving care for women with epilepsy

Abstract

All women with epilepsy require multi-professional shared care in pregnancy to reduce the risk of maternal death and fetal compromise. This is achievable by the development of shared care pathways between the woman and her neurological and obstetric team. To facilitate this, as part of Epilepsy Action's Mother's in Mind healthy births campaign, a resource pack for obstetricians, midwives, health visitors and community practitioners has been produced by Epilepsy Action in conjunction with a working party of Specialist Epilepsy Nurses and Midwives referencing recommendations from NICE (2004) and CEMACH (2007). This article focuses on women with epilepsy and not those taking antiepileptic drugs for migraine, neuropathic pain and mental illness; the effects of exposure to the foetus and on hormonal methods of contraception are the same therefore, these women of childbearing potential should be counselled accordingly.