The Follow-Up of Epileptic Patients in the Birth and Postpartum Periods

Abstract

Women diagnosed with epilepsy must be followed by a neurologist as well as an obstetrician in the pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, birth, and puerperal periods. There are no indications for cesarean section or induced birth in epileptic patients, with the exception of some special cases, but in daily practice, cesarean section is routinely performed and these cases are referred to tertiary epilepsy centers. Likewise, withdrawal or unnecessary dose adjustment of antiepileptic drugs in breastfeeding mothers can cause adverse effects in the infant and the mother. The aim of this article is to minimize misjudgments that affect the quality of life of patients by increasing awareness of the genuine needs of pregnant women diagnosed with epilepsy during the birth and postpartum periods.

Keywords

• breast-feeding
• epilepsy
• pregnancy