Epilepsy and Pregnancy
Pregnancy is hard. Pregnancy is hard on all women and their bodies. Throw in some hurdles to overcome (ahem, epilepsy) and it is that much harder. Harder on your body. Harder on your psyche. Probably harder on your whole family – because we all know, epilepsy affects families.
Prior to last year, my husband and I had one beautiful, healthy little girl. She gave us a few health scares, but she was and is thriving. So, it was a very difficult (and risky) decision for us to go for two. But, in my heart, I always wanted two. As hard as it was on my body the first time, I wanted to have another.
Twice as Nice
Fast forward to April of 2021, and I am pregnant again. Pregnant and feeling all the emotions – overjoyed, excited, all the fantastic feelings, with a knot at the bottom of my stomach filled with fear. How was I going to make it through the pregnancy again?
I feel a lot of empathy for women with epilepsy going through pregnancy. I do not know why, but it is harder for us. Maybe it is the increase (unreal increase) in medicines, maybe it is our bodies just “know” that this is straining us past the point where we should be, honestly, I do not know.
What I do know is that there are lots of women (including myself) who have epilepsy and have happy, healthy babies. What I do know is there is a support group here for you through Living Well with Epilepsy of moms who have been through it. What I do know is that if I can do it, you can too.
And, most importantly, what I do know is that I’m so thankful and blessed to have two. And, finally, what I do know is two really is twice as nice!
Connect with other moms with epilepsy
If it would help to connect with other moms living with epilepsy let us know here:
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