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I was diagnosed with epilepsy at 21 years of age and fluctuated between many medications. When I decided to have a child, at the age of 31, I was on three medications and having nocturnal seizures. I did not have any difficulty getting pregnant. The only symptom I was aware of related to my medications, was the chance of a cleft palate at birth. There wasn’t much research on my other medications but I decided to have a baby. I was very scared. I would love my baby no matter what but did not want to be the cause of any health issues. I was considered high risk during my pregnancy and had monthly check-ups. I continued to have nocturnal seizures and my doctor at the time would just alternate my medication dosages. I did have gestational diabetes but overall I had a pretty easy pregnancy. My son was born only two weeks early, gave me 32 hours of labor but was born nice and healthy! 6 months after having my son, I had a grand mal seizure and began to see a new doctor. He told me he couldn’t believe how many medications doctors switched me through throughout the years. He decided to try Onfi with me but said if it didn’t work it was time to consider surgery. Well, this doctor changed my life. After 11 years of suffering I finally found something that worked. I have been seizure free for 8 years now. I consider my son my miracle baby. Onfi changed my life; however when I started it it had just recently become cleared to use in the United States. It is considered an addictive drug and if taken during pregnancy can harm the baby. Three is also the chance the baby could be born with the addiction. My choice was to stay on Onfi and stay seizure free; however, although I had planned on having more children, I did not want to take that risk. At times, I feel guilty because I always wanted my child to have siblings but he is the greatest blessing I could have ever been given and the most loving son any mother could ever have.

I was considered a high-risk pregnancy from the beginning and was referred to an speciality OB at a hospital that had a trauma unit and a NICU. My local GYN said it was best to go there so that if anything would happen me and my baby wouldn’t be separated. My first ultrasound was at 16 weeks. Monthly after that, I went for fetal ultrasounds and monitoring so that my Dr could watch for and detect if any fetal distress was ever present. allows. This monitoring also monitored my baby’s organ development, especially his brain function. My doctor always monitored my lab work and blood pressure to try and make sure I didn’t have a seizure while pregnant. We talked about the delivery and how hard that would be on my body. I really wanted to try for a vaginal delivery. At 37 weeks my blood pressure spiked and I was admitted to be induced. I was given Cervidil vaginally to induce vs. Potosin. My doctor said Potosin was not good for someone with epilepsy. But after 76 hours of trying to be induced, my dr advised a C-section and my son was born healthy.

My child was only 1 pound till 5 month then my baby started to gain more weight as we had been checking weekly as It looked like my baby had a whole in her heart. As some kids can get cleft lips. Taking Trokendi XR (topiramate) while pregnant can increase the risk of birth defects like cleft lip and/or palate, smaller-than-average size at birth, and potentially neurodevelopmental problems. The drug can also pass into breast milk, causing potential side effects in nursing infants such as diarrhea and drowsiness. My baby at 8 months was full size. Honestly still breastfeeding and the most healthiest thing for my child, is doing amazing. At 2.5 years breastfeeding my child the doctor has supported my and my child. The child has been allergic to every milk out there lactose milk as been the only milk thats not allergic reaction. Being a mother with seizures I have a very supported husband. I now take trokendi xr 400mg because breastfeeding and my weight take in account always asks your neurologist, to test for how much you need. Cuz, you don't need to overdose or be underdosed.It makes a huge difference.I had a seizures a year ago.

I was blessed. My pregnancy went really well. I have Focal and Catamenial (Hormone) Epilepsy and my body/brain was happy with the rise in Progesterone. Due to seizures being triggered by stress (I get Grand mal seizures) my neurologist arranged with my OBGYN for me to have induced labor so that they both can be there at the birth and that I can be monitored. I requested epidural for pain management because pain is a "stresser". So I felt no pain. The labor went well and my baby girl is healthy.

I had a healthy pregnancy and maintained seizure free. I did have high blood pressure at 39 weeks and opted for a repeat csection, which went incredibly well.

I had a healthy & uncomplicated pregnancy and maintained seizure freedom. Other than my baby's hernia (which was very easily corrected and didn't impact his overall health or development) he had no problems.