New Epilepsy Campaign Promotes Healthy Mums And Babies, UK

Main Category: Epilepsy
Article Date: 11 Sep 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Every year, around four women with epilepsy die during pregnancy or giving birth, meaning they face a seven times greater risk than women without epilepsy, warns national charity Epilepsy Action.

It is this gap which has prompted the charity to launch its Mothers in mind: healthy births campaign during National Pregnancy Health Month (September). The campaign will work towards giving more mums with epilepsy and their babies a happy and healthy future.

A recent report called Saving Mothers' Lives, produced by the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health , made a number of recommendations for maternal healthcare provided to women. These included greater provision of pre-conception advice for women with epilepsy. Alongside this, the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register has shown that babies of mums with epilepsy have a higher risk of malformations. The risk of these problems can be reduced by making sure the mum is taking the best drug for her epilepsy, in the right dosage.

The good news is that the Mothers in mind: healthy births campaign offers a number of excellent tools to help health professionals give the best advice and care to women with epilepsy. The charity's own surveys have shown that too many women aren't being given pre-conception counselling. Epilepsy Action's new packs will help health professionals talk through the vital issues with their patient. Then the doctor and the mum can decide the best way forward, based on accurate information.

Professor Pamela Crawford, consultant neurologist at York Hospital and a firm supporter of the campaign, said: "It is important for women with epilepsy to plan their pregnancies as simple measures can decrease the risks associated with pregnancy and epilepsy.

"Under no circumstances, however, should women stop taking AEDs without consulting their GP or health professional. Women need to work in partnership with healthcare professionals so that they are able to make informed choices regarding their epilepsy and its management. The aim is to achieve good seizure control during and after pregnancy."

To support women and provide them with knowledge on how to best manage their condition before, during and after pregnancy, the Epilepsy Helpline will be raising awareness of pregnancy issues throughout September 2008. Epilepsy Action is also launching a new online service - The Pregnancy Diaries. Three new mums with epilepsy share their experiences of planning a family, their pregnancies and parenting.

Nicole Crosby-McKenna, Epilepsy Action's development officer for women said: "At this important time in a woman's life, it's vital for her to feel well-informed and in control. We think The Pregnancy Diaries will prove an invaluable support network for women with epilepsy, who may be having a hard time deciding what's best for them and their unborn baby."

Information packs are available to women and their health professionals by visiting http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/mothersinmind, or calling the Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050. To view or comment on The Pregnancy Diaries go to http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/pregnancydiaries Epilepsy Action is the UK's largest member-led epilepsy organisation. Last year alone the organisation directly helped over 731,000 people through a range of services, including its Epilepsy Helpline, advice and information centre, and branch network.

Notes

1. To view The Pregnancy Diaries, go to http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/pregnancydiaries

2. Using data from the CEMACH reports for the 12-year period of 1994-2005: The maternal mortality rate for all women in the UK is 13 deaths in every 100,000. The maternal mortality rate for women with epilepsy is 87 deaths in every 100,000. This reveals that maternal deaths are around seven times more common in women with epilepsy.

3. Epilepsy Action helps over 731,000 people every year through its range of services, including its advice and information centre, branch network and accredited volunteer scheme. The organisation's award-winning website, http://www.epilepsy.org.uk, features a new online advice and information service and receives over 135,000 visitors a month. The Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050 is available Monday-Friday, 9.00 am-4.30 pm (4.00 pm on Fridays).

Epilepsy Action