Pregnancy and Epilepsy

Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurologic disorder behind migraine, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) data estimates about 3.4 million people in the United States have active epilepsy. Approximately 1 million women of childbearing age in the United States have epilepsy, and about 2 to 5 infants of 1000 pregnancies are born to mothers with epilepsy. Therefore, providers should consider additional aspects of epilepsy care unique to women with epilepsy (WWE) of childbearing age such as planning for and care during pregnancy; concern how epilepsy may affect pregnancy and how pregnancy may impact seizure control. Fortunately, more than 90% of pregnant WWE will give birth to healthy infants. Providers should maintain these important items in mind when caring for a WWE of child-bearing age. This chapter focuses on the effects of pregnancy on seizures and the effects of seizures on pregnancy in pregnant WWE.