What about labor and delivery?

Most pregnant women who have epilepsy deliver their babies without complications. Women who have epilepsy might be able to use the same methods of pain relief during labor and delivery as other pregnant women.

Seizures don't commonly occur during labor. If you have a seizure during labor, it might be stopped with intravenous medication. If the seizure is prolonged, your health care provider might deliver the baby by C-section.

If you have frequent seizures during your third trimester, you're more likely to have a seizure during delivery. Your health care provider will review the best delivery method with you to avoid increased risk of seizures during your delivery.

If your anti-seizure medication dose is altered for pregnancy, talk to your health care provider about returning to your pre-pregnancy levels shortly after delivery to continue keeping your seizures under control and your medication at safe levels.