Considerations for choosing anti-epileptic drugs for female patients

  1, pay attention to medication: female epileptic patients must not stop using antiepileptic drugs privately, and need to go to the clinic to adjust antiepileptic drugs with less side effects before pregnancy. In the process of pregnancy in female epileptic patients, due to endocrine and metabolic changes, about 1/3 of patients seizures may be aggravated, but most patients have no change or even improvement in seizures during pregnancy. Women during pregnancy should routinely take folic acid and multivitamins to prevent drug teratogenicity and possible bleeding tendencies during delivery. Failure to take antiepileptic drugs on time can lead to active seizures, especially generalized convulsive seizures or tonic clonic seizures, which may cause maternal trauma, lead to miscarriage or more serious consequences, and the dangerous effects of their seizures on the fetus exceed the teratogenic risks of antiepileptic drugs.  2. Regular checkups: Throughout pregnancy, women with epilepsy should have regular follow-ups and regular prenatal checkups, including ultrasound. Due to the genetic nature of epilepsy and the possible neonatal birth injuries caused by obstructed labor during delivery, it is important for pregnant women to go to the hospital regularly for checkups and prepare for the management of obstructed labor during pregnancy according to the doctor’s advice. With the above preparations, 90% of women are able to have a normal pregnancy and delivery, and the resulting baby is healthy.  In addition, it is important for mothers with epilepsy to take care of the nutrition their bodies need during pregnancy, to maintain good moods, and to rest to minimize seizures. It is not easy for a mother with epilepsy to conceive a baby. In addition to the care of the woman with epilepsy herself, her family should accompany her and give her support. This is the only way to have a healthier baby.