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Q: 1. What is involved if I agree to go onto the Register?

Q: 2. I am planning to have a family can I join your Register now?

Q: 3. I have had my baby and would like to register.

Q: 4. I have epilepsy but am not currently taking medication, can I still register?

Q: 5. Why have I been told to take folic acid?

Q: 6. I have just discovered I am pregnant and take medication for my epilepsy - should I stop it?

Q: 7. What can you tell me about the medication I take and how it may affect my baby?

Q: 8. I have been told I have to take Vitamin K. What is it for?

Q: 9. What about when the baby is born: is there anything I need to know?

Q: 10. Is there any special preparation I need for labour?

Q: 11. Will I have a seizure in labour?

Q: 12. Can I use TENS as pain relief in labour?

Q: 13. Can I breastfeed while taking my medications?

Questions and Answers :

Q: 1. What is involved if I agree to go onto the register?
A: If you decide to take part you will not have to make any additional visits to any clinics or have any additional tests or procedures during the pregnancy.

We initially need some information at registration including name and date of birth, details on your epilepsy, past and present medication intake and expected date of delivery. We also require your GP's name and address as three months after your expected date of delivery we write to your GP to gather the information on your pregnancy and delivery. All information is strictly confidential.

It is important if you move house or GP during the course of your pregnancy that you inform the register via the Freephone.

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Q: 2. I am planning to have a family can I join your register now?
A: To register with The Irish Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register you must be currently pregnant. If however you would like some information or advice about planning for a family or epilepsy and pregnancy you can contact us via the Freephone number - 1800 320 820 and we will do our best to answer your questions in confidence.

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Q: 3. I have had my baby and would like to register
A: The Irish Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register is a prospective register which means to register you must be currently pregnant. Unfortunately if you have already delivered your baby you cannot be included in our results. However if you would like to tell us about your experience, we would like to hear from you, so please contact the Freephone number – 1800 320 820.

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Q: 4. I have epilepsy but am not currently taking medication, can I still register?
A: Yes. If you have had a diagnosis of epilepsy and are currently not taking medication, you can register as we are also interested in the group of women who are not on medication.

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Q: 5. Why have I been told to take folic acid?
A:When planning a family all women in Ireland are advised to take a folic acid supplement. It is recommended that women with epilepsy take 5 mgs of folic acid every day. It is recommended folic acid be taken at least three months before you conceive and continued throughout the pregnancy. Folic acid is a vitamin which helps protect against neural tube defects such as spina bifida. This strength of tablet is only available on prescription and your GP will know if it is suitable for you.

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Q: 6. I have just discovered I am pregnant and take medication for my epilepsy - should I stop it?
A: It is important that you never abruptly stop or make any changes to your medication without the advice and supervision of your specialist or GP. The danger from uncontrolled seizures to both mother and baby is a serious one in pregnancy. For most women with epilepsy staying on medication poses less risk to their own health and the health of their babies than discontinuing the medication. The majority of women with epilepsy will have a normal pregnancy and delivery, an unchanged seizure frequency and over 90% chance of a healthy baby.

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Q: 7. What can you tell me about the medication I take and how it may affect my baby?
A: This is a difficult question as the information will vary from woman to woman. If you contact us via the Freephone number we will do our best to answer any questions you may have in regards to your epilepsy medication and pregnancy.

The Freephone is manned by a professional and your queries will be answered in confidence. However we are an advice line and so are unable to prescribe or manage your medication.

To reduce any possible risks it is recommended that you seek advice and counseling before you conceive with regards to your epilepsy and epilepsy medication. This is called pre conceptual counseling. This counseling, preferably from an epilepsy specialist, gives you an opportunity to make any changes to your medication prior to conceiving.

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Q: 8. I have been told I have to take Vitamin K. What is it for?
A: Vitamin K helps to maintain the clotting factors in the blood. If these are deficient, a rare complication called haemorrhagic disease of the new-born may occur. It is thought that if a woman is taking one of the enzyme inducing antiepileptic drugs (carbamazepine, phenytoin, topiramate, phenobarbitone, primidone, oxcarbazepine), taking vitamin K 10 or 20mgs daily during the last few weeks of pregnancy, may be useful. However it is important that all babies receive Vitamin K at birth.

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Q: 9. What about when the baby is born: is there anything I need to know?
A: Following delivery of your baby you may be at increased risk of seizures for a few months. This is to do with the changes in your body such as fluctuating hormone levels and also the sleep disturbance and tiredness every new mother experiences with a young baby. You will feel better prepared and more confident if you have thought about and discussed safety issues in regards to your baby in the antenatal period. Such issues may include; feeding the baby whilst sitting on the floor supported by cushions if you have sudden or unpredictable seizures, changing the baby at floor level on a changing mat, and not bathing the baby on your own. It is important to remember that this does not mean you do not care or look after your baby; you are simply thinking off and putting into place simple safety precautions to help protect and keep your baby safe.

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Q: 10. Is there any special preparation I need for labour?
A: It is useful when you pack your bag in preparation for going into hospital you also pack some of your medication. This means if you go into labour during the night or have to rush to hospital unexpectedly you will have some medication with you as many maternity hospitals will not keep your particular medication and the hospital pharmacy may not be open.

It may be useful to remind doctors and midwives that you have epilepsy. It may also be useful to ask your birth partner or midwife to remind you to take your medication at the usual times during labour.

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Q: 11. Will I have a seizure in labour?
A: Most women are worried about taking a seizure in labour or during delivery. The good news is that only around 2% (that's 2 women in every 100) of women with epilepsy will have a seizure during labour or delivery. It is important to remember to take your medication during labour. Ensure the midwife looking after you in labour knows you have epilepsy. It is also recommended that you deliver in a hospital so that if a problem arises there will be qualified staff there to deal with it.

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Q: 12. Can I use TENS as pain relief in labour?
A: TENS machines are often used for pain relief during labour and are suitable for women with epilepsy. Epidurals and gas and air are also suitable. Pethidine (analgesia) may bring on seizures in some people with epilepsy and may be best avoided if possible.

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Q: 13. Can I breastfeed while taking my medications?
A: Breastfeeding is safe and is generally recommended (except in very rare cases) and you should discuss this with your specialist, doctor or midwife. Your medication will pass into your breast milk in a diluted form. It can be a useful way to wean the baby of your medication as he/she will have been exposed to the drug throughout pregnancy. We would advise to watch for drowsiness in your infant.

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