Pregnant epileptic women need specialist care, RCOG says

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has announced new guidelines which recommend that pregnant women with epilepsy should be treated by a specialist healthcare team, to prevent unnecessary deaths.

The RCOG warned that managing seizure control, tiredness and risks linked to some epilepsy medicines can make pregnancy a difficult time.

Official data shows round 2,500 babies are born to women with epilepsy each year in the UK.

However, there have been warnings that the effect of taking some anti-epileptic drugs during pregnancy can risk the health of unborn babies. Some women have subsequently decided to stop taking, or reduce their medication intake, which can result in increasing seizures.

The updated RCOG guidelines or GPs, midwives, consultants and women with the condition, advise that women should: seek advice from their GP before conception; be given the lowest effective dose of the most appropriate epilepsy medication; take a higher dose of folic acid to reduce the risk of spinal defects in their baby; give birth in a consultant-led unit if at risk of seizures during labour; and receive support after the birth to minimise the risk of seizures from exhaustion and stress.

Simon Wigglesworth, deputy chief executive at Epilepsy Action welcomed the new guidance. He said: “This ensures that they are able to make informed decisions about all aspects of their health and wellbeing, as well as that of their baby.”

Louise Silverton, director for midwifery at the Royal College of Midwives, commented: "It is vital we remember that women with epilepsy are classified as high risk during their pregnancy, often they require more monitoring and specialist care during the course of their pregnancy. However, the majority of women with epilepsy will give birth safely."