Pregnancy can be challenging in itself, but when mothers with their own health problems are faced with balancing their own health concerns with the health of their fetuses, the challenge becomes even more difficult. It is almost always a balancing act: a mother needs to take care of herself, and many times, her other children, while doing what?s best for her growing baby.

Women with added health concerns during pregnancy usually face more prenatal testing than mothers without such complications. There are more parties involved throughout the pregnancy: the expecting couple or woman, her obstetrician, a perinatoligist (or group) and any other doctors who care for the mother?s given health condition.

For epileptic mothers, pregnancy can be complicated: it is known that a mother?s seizures can be harmful to their fetuses, thus it is unlikely that these women can or should discontinue taking their medications. While there has already been promising research regarding taking seizure meds during pregnancy, more recent research has revealed some promising news for epileptic mothers who wish to breastfeed.

Early results of a landmark study have shown that it may be safe for women taking anti-epileptic drugs to breastfeed. Results of earlier studies suggest that pregnant women?s sex hormones protect their fetuses from being negatively impacted by certain seizure medications.

The latest findings are based on an ongoing study of the cognitive abilities of 187 two-year old children whose mothers took one of four drugs for the treatment of epilepsy: Tegretol, Lamictal, Dilantin or Depakote. 41% of the children were breastfed. The breastfed children scored higher on the Mental Development Index (MDI) test than those who were not breastfed, regardless of the seizure medication. The statistic was not statistically significant, however, when factoring in the mother?s IQ.

Researchers do warn that more research is needed in order to confirm their findings. The study is part of an ongoing investigation of how seizure medications during pregnancy affect later cognitive abilities. Mothers are enrolled during pregnancy and researchers plan to reevaluate each child again at ages 3, 4 ? and 6.

Epilepsy can be a very distressing condition and the medication from the doctor is not always as effective as we would like. However, the correct diet can help the condition. First of all it is necessary to follow the guidelines recommended for general health such as plenty of water, plenty of fruit and vegetables and not too much salt and sugar. A good quality multinutrient is also important to ensure that we have adequate vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other nutrients. Seizures may be caused by various nutritional problems, including low blood sugar levels, nutritional imbalances and excess alcohol.Many nutrients can help epilepsy, one of the more common ones is a vitamin B complex. More B vitamins are required when you are under stress, and seizures can cause and lead to stress. Because B vitamins are water based, it is difficult to have to much of them, because any excess will be washed out the body.

Vitamin E has been indicated in research to reduce the quantity of seizures. The contraceptive pill can lead to a deficiency in vitamin E.

Chromium can help blood sugar levels, which can be an important factor in epilepsy. In those women where seizures occur premenstrually, it is particularly likely that there is a blood sugar issue.

A deficiency in magnesium is known to be a factor in seizure frequency, and if a supplement is taken, this should also include calcium as it helps the absorption of magnesium. Calcium has a sedative effect and a deficiency can lead to depression and allergies.

The quantity of zinc in the body can be reduced by taking anticonvulsants or the contraceptive pill. Zinc is very important in the correct functioning of the nervous system and is used to treat mild mental conditions and schizophrenia.

Dimethyl-Glycine (DMG) is an amino acid that has been used to treat epilepsy. It helps the oxygen flow to the brain. Another useful amino acid is taurine, an increase in which can lead to improved brain function.

Essential Fatty Acids are also very important with any neurological condition.

Things to be avoided are MSG (monosodium glutamate, E621) which is a flavor enhancer and used in many foods particularly crisps and Chinese takeout. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener which has been linked to seizures. Alcohol and coffee can have a negative effect. St John?s Wort and Evening Primrose Oil may also lead to an increase in seizures.

Further information

Epilepsy and Nutrition

Low Blood Sugar – Hypoglycemia

Epilepsy and Hormones

This information is not meant to constitute medical advice, please speak to your doctor before changing your diet.

Giving birth is a complex process and whilst it can be difficult for the mother it is usually much more traumatic for the baby. The child is pushed about as it comes down the birth canal and this can result in certain bones and other tissues being not quite in the correct place afterwards. Generally these sorts of problems sort themselves out, but sometimes they do not, and this is where cranial osteopathy comes in.

Cranial osteopathy is a special part of osteopathy which involves very gently manipulating the bones of the skull and ensuring that they are in the correct place. It is suitable for all ages, but particularly younger children before the bones in the cranium have fused. There is absolutely no discomfort, in fact it feels like the osteopath is doing nothing at all.

When my twins were born we all had a bit of a hard time and they were both forceps deliveries. My daughter, Emily, was a particularly difficult baby and used to scream for hours in the evening, however after one trip to the cranial osteopath the screaming stopped. I have also found with her that regular treatment eliminates the ear infections that she used to get. I took my son, Daniel, for treatment at the same time, although we never had any real issues with him at the time. However in later years when his Asperger symptoms became very pronounced there used to be considerable improvement in his behavior even before we had got him home from the appointment. I have also heard of a young baby who was having seizures every few minutes and these practically stopped after one visit from the cranial osteopath.

My younger daughter was born at home and was a much easier birth, I took her along to the osteopath but she said that she was absolutely fine. So generally it is only the more complicated births that may need this sort of intervention, although I recommend taking all children along after birth, just to be on the safe side. Even children born by cesarian can benefit from this sort of treatment. Other conditions that cranial osteopathy is often used for are colic, difficulties feeding, sleep problems, sinus problems, asthma and cerebral palsy.

To find a local cranial osteopath contact your national osteopathic association and they can give further details.

Always contact your doctor if you are concerned about your child?s symptoms.