This document provides 10 considerations for women with epilepsy who are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant, in order to have a safe pregnancy and reduce the risk of birth defects in the baby. It advises talking to your doctor about safer anticonvulsant medications, keeping a seizure diary, joining a support group, developing healthy habits, and educating yourself about medications like Topamax that have been linked to increased risks of birth defects.

1. If you are a woman tryIng gettIng
pregnant, please consIder:
1. Talking to your doctor or nurse
practitioner now about the safest
anticonvulsant medications to prevent
birth defects like cleft palate and cleft
lip in newborns.
2. Asking your neurologist if you can be on
only one anticonvulsant drug instead of
two or multiple drugs in the same class.
3. Keeping a seizure diary or journal to
write down what triggers your seizures.
4. Joining a pregnancy support group for
Purple Day & Epilepsy
women with epilepsy.
5. Developing healthy prenatal habits such
as stop smoking or drinking if you do;
Top 10 Considerations for a Safe Pregnancy eating a healthy balanced diet; taking
folic acid, and getting plenty of rest.
Pamper yourself
Epilepsy awareness and the first trimester
6. Signing up for the voluntary Epilepsy
PHILADELPHIA—March 26, marks Purple Day or Epilepsy Awareness Day. People Birth Control Registry (privacy
guaranteed and you can opt out at
all over the world will be raising awareness about epilepsy, a disease often kept
any time). Women with epilepsy have
under wraps for fear of ostracizing and lack of understanding. special concerns when selecting birth
control methods. The registry works to
For women of child-bearing years who have epilepsy, another concern must also
help women with epilepsy make better
be made known—anticonvulsant drugs raise the risk of birth defects in mothers- choices in regard to safer birth control
to-be who take these drugs during their first trimester. methods.
7. Telling your doctor or nurse practitioner
Out of the mouths of babes: Purple Day was founded in 2008, by Cassidy Megan
about all the medications, supplements,
of Nova Scotia, Canada. At only 9-years-old, along with the help of the Epilepsy and over-the-counter drugs you’re
Association of Nova Scotia (EANS), Cassidy chose purple as the international color taking. Ask them to review the FDA
for epilepsy. The lavender flower is frequently associated with solitude and people Pregnancy Drug Category to ensure
with epilepsy often feel isolated. Cassidy’s goal is for people with epilepsy to know you’re not taking anything that could
they are not alone and to educate others about epilepsy. harm the fetus.
8. Don’t stop taking any anti-seizure
To learn more about Cassidy and Global Purple Day Partners EANS and The Anita medication unless under the care of
Kaufmann Foundation (AKFUS), please visit the Purple Day about page. your doctor. Stopping medication may
induce more seizures. Your OB/GYN and
The Topamax lawyers at Anapol Schwartz personal injury law firm can help the neurologist should be collaborating on
babies of families adversely affected by this anti-seizure drug and can help obtain your behalf.
compensation for injuries and medical expenses. 9. Painting your baby’s room purple!
Anapol Schwartz has offices in Pennsylvania, 10. Educating yourself about Topamax
New Jersey, West Virginia, and Arizona. (generic topiramate). The drug has been
available in the United States since
1996. On March 4, 2011, the Food &
Drug Administration announced that
newborns of pregnant women taking
Topamax during their first trimester had
twice the risk for cleft palate and cleft
lip birth defects.
philadelphia, pa | cherry Hill, nJ | media, pa | reading, pa | Harrisburg, pa | wheeling, wV | (of counsel) columbus, oH | scottsdale, aZ
DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Please use this information to help in your conversation with your doctor. This is general
background information and should not be followed as medical advice. Please consult your doctor regarding all medical questions and for all medical treatment.