The BJN Podcast

Epilepsy in pregnancy


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Sheila Shepley (nurse practitioner, Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust) speaks with Rita Som (editor, British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing) about caring for and managing women with epilepsy during pregnancy. The podcast episode aims to support healthcare professionals in delivering safe, coordinated and evidence-based care for women with epilepsy during pregnancy and postpartum, by exploring the clinical, pharmacological and psychosocial complexities involved in balancing seizure control with maternal and foetal safety. This educational episode was initiated and funded by Neuraxpharm UK Ltd. The date of recording was February 2026. Job code NXUK/E/0326/20. The views expressed are those of Sheila Shepley.

Bibliography

1. Felker A, Patel R, Kotnis R, Kenyon S, Knight M. Saving lives, improving mothers' care compiled report: lessons learned to inform maternity care from the UK and Ireland Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths and Morbidity 2021-23. Oxford: University of Oxford; 2025

2. Razaz N, Igland J, Bjørk MH et al. Risk of perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality among pregnant women with epilepsy. JAMA Neurol. 2024;81(9):985–995. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2024.2375

3. UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register. Conducting research to make pregnancy for people with epilepsy safer. 2026. https://www.epilepsyandpregnancy.co.uk/ (accessed 16 February 2026)

4. Herzog AG, Mandle HB, Cahill KE, Fowler KM, Hauser WA. Predictors of unintended pregnancy in women with epilepsy. Neurology. 2017;88(8):728–733. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000003637

5. Samsonsen C, Karanauskaitė U, Stenbacka EJ, Hjelvik ES, Rektorli L, Brodtkorb E. Pregnancy planning in women with epilepsy: a single center observational study with focus on epilepsy type. Seizure. 2024;123:152–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2024.11.010

6. Fu Y, Shi F, Sha L et al. Association of seizure control during pregnancy with adverse offspring outcomes in women with epilepsy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2025;96(7):621–629. https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2024-335751

7. Askarieh A, MacBride-Stewart S, Kirby J et al. Delivery of care, seizure control and medication adherence in women with epilepsy during pregnancy. Seizure. 2022;100:24–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2022.06.002

8. Lupattelli A, Spigset O, Nordeng H. Adherence to medication for chronic disorders during pregnancy: results from a multinational study. Int J Clin Pharm. 2014;36(1):145–153. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-013-9864-y

9. SUDEP Action. Women left in dark over pregnancy and SUDEP risks. 2023. https://sudep.org/women-left-in-dark-over-pregnancy-and-sudep-risks/ (accessed 16 February 2026)

10. Harden CL, Meador KJ, Pennell PB et al. Management issues for women with epilepsy-Focus on pregnancy (an evidence-based review): II. Teratogenesis and perinatal outcomes: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee and Therapeutics and Technology Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society. Epilepsia. 2009;50(5):1237–1246. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2009.02129.x

11. Freund B, Chen B, Kaplan PW, Johnson EL. Managing antiseizure medications in pregnancy: is earlier and more frequent monitoring better?. Neurol Clin Pract. 2023;13(4):e200169. https://doi.org/10.1212/CPJ.0000000000200169

12. Hope OA, Harris KM. Management of epilepsy during pregnancy and lactation. BMJ. 2023;382:e074630. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2022-074630

13. Yasguclukal M, Acar Z, Bastan B, Mutlu A, Cokar O. Self-discontinuation of antiseizure medication during pregnancy increases postpartum seizure frequency. Experimed. 2022;12(3):174–180. https://doi.org/10.26650/experimed.1183414

14. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Epilepsies in children, young people and adults. 2025. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng217 (accessed 16 February 2026)

15. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Epilepsy in pregnancy (Green-top Guideline No. 68). 2016. https://www.rcog.org.uk/guidance/browse-all-guidance/green-top-guidelines/epilepsy-in-pregnancy-green-top-guideline-no-68/ (accessed 16 February 2026)

16. Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. Diagnosis and management of epilepsy in adults. 2018. https://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/diagnosis-and-management-of-epilepsy-in-adults/ (accessed 16 February 2026)

17. Weckesser A, Hughes A, Dyson J et al. Experiences of pregnancy and reproductive health for women living with epilepsy: a systematic review. Seizure. 2025;133:106–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2025.10.011

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