How to Monitor an Epileptic Pregnant Mother
Being pregnant and epileptic creates an extremely vulnerable situation for new mothers. Women with epilepsy are at a higher risk for pregnancy complications and adverse birth outcomes than moms without the condition. But knowing the correct ways to monitor epilepsy during pregnancy greatly increases the chances for a safe and healthy birth.
Instructions
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Make sure the epileptic mother has first spoken to her family doctor or a neurologist. The doctor will gauge how well seizures are already under control and the severity level of epilepsy. Speak to the physician or a neurologist about the best way to care for the dual conditions.
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Check medication dosage. According to the Mayo Clinic, seizure medication taken during pregnancy could affect your baby and potentially increase the risk for birth defects. But without medication, uncontrolled seizures may deprive the baby of oxygen. Determine the right amount and stick to that dosage.
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Regularly monitor your antiepileptic drug levels. According to Epilepsy.com, metabolism frequently changes during pregnancy and anticonvulsant levels tend to decline. For this reason, pregnant women usually have more seizures and must be even more mindful of their surroundings.
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Take vitamins. Supplements such as folic acid are useful for epileptic pregnant women. Also, avoid harmful habits such as smoking.
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Stick to normal weight levels. Find out the normal pregnancy weight gain rate for the epileptic mom's size. Create a healthy and sensible diet regimen during pregnancy.
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Depending on condition severity, bed rest may be recommended. Have a family member or friend regularly check your medication dosage and monitor the signs of potential seizures. An intercom system may help. Signs of seizures can include loss of muscle tone, muscle stiffness, jerking movements and brief loss of consciousness.
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Tips & Warnings
With any pregnancy, incorporating a healthy lifestyle lowers the risk of medical complications. Remember to get enough sleep, limit caffeine intake and lower stress levels.
Keep in mind that as pregnancy progresses, blood volume increases, sometimes leading to kidneys removing seizure medication from your system more quickly.
