It is vitally important for women to see their physician regularly during pregnancy and 3-4 months postpartum so that anticonvulsant drug levels can be carefully monitored and adjusted as necessary. More frequent blood level measurements are necessary due to the mother's extra body weight and fluid retention during pregnancy. During the third trimester, a woman often experiences loss of sleep or poor sleep. Altered sleep patterns can sometimes cause an increase in seizure frequency. A pregnant woman should try to get as much sleep as she can, and rest whenever possible.
Women are naturally concerned about the effect of seizures on the fetus.
Most available information indicates that the number of seizures during pregnancy has little effect on the baby, except in the rare case of uncontrolled multiple seizures known as status epilepticus . Status epilepticus is life-threatening both to the mother and the baby. It is a serious medical emergency. Possible Complications during Pregnancy Women with epilepsy are considered to have high risk pregnancies. There are several complications which occur more often to women with epilepsy, one of which is know as eclampsia .