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Epilepsy and Pregnancy: Understanding Your Options to Make Informed Decisions

01 Aug 2026

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Experiencing pregnancy with epilepsy can raise many questions. Will seizures change during pregnancy? Is it possible to continue treatment? What factors should be considered for your health and your baby’s health?

The good news is that, with appropriate monitoring and support from their healthcare team, most people living with epilepsy can have a healthy pregnancy.

This infographic provides clear, evidence-based information to help you better understand the relationship between epilepsy and pregnancy. It was designed to help you discuss your options with your healthcare team and make informed decisions based on your individual situation.

You will learn about:

  • how pregnancy can affect epileptic seizures;
  • why it is important to discuss your treatment with your healthcare team;
  • the different options available to support care tailored to your needs;
  • when to consult a healthcare professional.
EpilepsyInfographic

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Every pregnancy is different. The benefits and risks associated with treatment should be assessed based on your individual situation, your preferences, and the available scientific evidence. If you are taking medication for epilepsy, do not make any changes to your treatment without discussing them with your healthcare team. Together, you can determine the approach that is best for you.

To learn more, you can also consult our factsheet epilepsy during pregnancy, as well as our information sheets on anticonvulsant medications (also known as antiepileptic medications). There, you will find detailed, evidence-based information to support informed decision-making before, during, and after pregnancy.

Thank you to Ainslee Treacy for the graphic design of this infographic!

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Credits
Émy Roberge
Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine

Associated Fact Sheets

Discover more about this topic and associated medications with our associated Fact Sheets here:

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a condition causing different types of seizure. It can be more challenging during...

Carbamazepine (Tegretol®)

Carbamazepine (Tegretol®) is an anti-seizure (antiepileptic) medication used to treat epilepsy, certain types of pain,...

Clonazepam (Rivotril®)

Clonazepam (Rivotril®) is a medication known as a benzodiazepine. It is used, among other things,...

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium®)

Clorazepate is a medication in the benzodiazepine class. It is used to treat anxiety, epilepsy,...

Gabapentin (Neurontin®)

Gabapentin is a medication used to treat certain types of seizures (epilepsy), nerve pain, and...

Lamotrigine (LaMICtal®)

Lamotrigine (Lamictal®) is an anti-seizure medication (anti-epileptics) used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorders, and neuropathic...

Levetiracetam (Keppra®)

Levetiracetam (Keppra®) is an anti-seizure (antiepileptic) medication used to treat epilepsy, migraines, and bipolar disorder.

Lorazepam (Ativan®)

Lorazepam (Ativan®), a benzodiazepine medication, is used to treat anxiety disorders, epilepsy and insomnia.

Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal®, Oxtellar XR®)

Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal®, Oxtellar XR®) is an anti-seizure medication (anti-epileptic) used to treat, among other things,...

Pregabalin (Lyrica®)

Pregabalin is a medication that helps with nerve pain (neuropathic pain) from diabetes or infections...

Valproic Acid (Depakene®)

Valproic Acid (Depakene®) and related medications (valproate, sodium valproate, and divalproex) are anti-seizure medications (anti-epileptics)...

Associated Resources

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