Epilepsy can affect anyone, including mothers pregnant (pregnant).Handling of epilepsy in pregnant women needs to be done properly to prevent dangerous risks, both to pregnant women themselves and the fetus they contain.
Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system characterized by repeated seizures. Epilepsy in pregnant women can cause slow fetal heart rate, premature birth, and injury to the fetus.
Handling Epilepsy saat pregnant
Before seizures appear, epilepsy can be characterized by several early symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, mood swings (mood), confusion, and fainting.
In pregnant women who experience seizures, the doctor will conduct a thorough examination to check the condition of the pregnant woman and her fetus. The doctor will also determine whether the seizures are caused by epilepsy or other causes.
When pregnant women have epilepsy, several ways will be done to control epilepsy and reduce the adverse effects of epilepsy on the ongoing pregnancy, including:
1. Consumption of anti-seizure drugs
Taking anti-seizure drugs is needed to control the epilepsy experienced by pregnant women. Women who had epilepsy before becoming pregnant are advised to continue taking anticonvulsant or anticonvulsant medications while pregnant. Taking anti-seizure drugs during pregnancy is useful for maintaining blood levels of drugs that can treat and control epilepsy that pregnant women experience.
The doctor will provide the safest treatment with the most suitable dose for pregnant women.
2. Consumption of prenatal vitamins containing folic acid
Drug choices during pregnancy are very limited because they can have an effect on the fetus, including the choice of drugs for epilepsy. Some antiseizure medications can increase the risk of a baby being born with a neural tube defect. To reduce this risk pregnant women will usually be advised and given additional prenatal vitamins containing folic acid.
Generally pregnant women who suffer from epilepsy require a higher dose of folic acid. So it is advisable to continue to follow the recommendations and advice of the doctor.
3.Do more frequent content checks
Pregnant women with epilepsy are advised to visit their doctor more regularly to control their pregnancy. Pregnant women will usually also be advised to do ultrasound and blood tests more often. It is useful to know drug levels in the blood and fetal growth during pregnancy.
For women who have been diagnosed with epilepsy before becoming pregnant, it is advisable to consult a gynecologist before planning a pregnancy. This is useful so that the doctor can determine the right planning for the pregnancy program that you will undergo.
Epilepsy during pregnancy does have risks for pregnant women and fetuses. If pregnant women suffer from epilepsy, some of the treatment options described above need to be known. Always consult a doctor so that the pregnant woman's condition is well monitored yes.