What about medication?

Medication you take during pregnancy can affect your baby. Birth defects — including cleft palate, neural tube defects, skeletal abnormalities, and congenital heart and urinary tract defects — are a few potential side effects associated with anti-seizure medications. The risk seems to increase with higher doses and if you take more than one anti-seizure medication.

If you haven't had a seizure for nine months before you conceive, you're less likely to have a seizure during your pregnancy. If you haven't had a seizure for two to four years, you might be able to taper off medications before you conceive and see if you remain seizure-free. Talk to your health care provider before discontinuing your medications.

For most women, however, it's best to continue treatment during pregnancy. To minimize the risks for you and your baby, your doctor will prescribe the safest medication and dosage that's effective for your type of seizures and monitor your blood levels throughout your pregnancy.