Women with epilepsy planning pregnancy

Abstract

There are many important health issues for women with epilepsy, in particular for women of childbearing age. Recent surveys have shown that only a minority of such patients received information on important issues concerning pregnancy. Pre-pregnancy counselling should include information on interactions of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and oral contraceptives, risk of teratogenicity, use of folic acid, the importance of monotherapy with the lowest effective dosage of an AED, and the safety of breast feeding as well as other special aspects of epilepsy and pregnancy. Planned pregnancy and counselling before conception is crucial. With a multidisciplinary approach the majority of pregnancies will have a favourable outcome. The article addresses these issues and describes practical considerations for the counselling of women with epilepsy who are planning pregnancy.