Neurologic Conditions in Pregnancy
Learn more about pregnancy care for patients with seizure disorders, neurovascular disorders and peripheral nerve disorders.
Overview
If you have a neurologic disorder, it is important to have specialized care during pregnancy.
Our maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists are high-risk obstetricians who care for pregnant patients with various health conditions including the following neurologic conditions:
- Seizure disorders such as epilepsy
- Neurovascular disorders such as a history of stroke or structural brain abnormalities
- Peripheral nerve disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or myasthenia gravis (MG)
If you are not currently pregnant, we recommend speaking with your family physician or neurologist before planning a pregnancy.
Your pregnancy care
You may be concerned that your health condition will worsen during pregnancy. You might also be worried about the side effects of your medication or if it is safe to take during pregnancy.
Our MFM specialists will help you understand your treatment choices so that you can make the best possible decisions for both you and your baby.
We work closely with neurologists with expertise in pregnancy. You will have prenatal appointments with your MFM at the Medical Disorders of Pregnancy Clinic. Depending on your condition, you might see a neurologist in our clinic or at a different hospital.
Treatment
Seizure disorders in pregnancy
Care plans will focus on controlling your seizures and monitoring the health of both you and your baby.
Controlling seizures during pregnancy can be challenging due to common triggers such as dehydration, stress and poor sleep.
Our experience in caring for patients with seizure disorders allows us to help you manage those risks. We will work with you to design a care plan that is specific to your needs.
Your care plan may include any of the following:
- Medication to prevent seizures
- Adjustment of medication for safety and effectiveness during pregnancy
- Increased monitoring for symptoms
- Additional monitoring of your baby
- Additional planning to keep you and your baby safe after birth
- Infant feeding support, as needed
Neurovascular disorders in pregnancy
Care plans will focus on stroke prevention and monitoring the health of both you and your baby.
Pregnancy can increase the risk of experiencing a stroke for people who have a history of stroke or structural brain abnormalities.
Your MFM specialist will work with you to design a care a plan that is specific to your needs. Your care may include any of the following:
- Magnetic resolution imaging (MRI) on your brain
- Medication to prevent strokes
- Adjustment of medication for safety and effectiveness during pregnancy
- Monitoring your blood pressure
- Delivery planning around your specific needs
Peripheral nerve disorders in pregnancy
Care plans will focus on ongoing treatment for your condition while closely monitoring the health of both you and your baby.
For certain conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or myasthenia gravis (MG), medication often needs to be discontinued during pregnancy. Our experience in caring for patients with peripheral nerve disorders allows us to help you manage any associated risks.
Your care may include any of the following:
- Medication to treat your disorders
- Adjustment of medication for both safety and effectiveness during pregnancy
- Monitoring for symptoms of disease flare-up
- Regular ultrasounds or other fetal screening tests
- Birth planning
Labour and delivery
Our recommendations for your labour and birth care may include some of the following:
- Meeting with our high-risk OB anesthesia team
- Scheduling an induction of labour or Caesarean section if needed
- Having a neurologist present at your birth if needed
- Monitoring your health throughout labour
- Monitoring the health of your baby throughout labour
It is important to follow-up with your neurologist postpartum. They will adjust you medication and monitor your symptoms for flares, as needed.