Women’s Epilepsy Clinic
Overview
Can having epilepsy make it harder to get pregnant? Is it safe to continue antiseizure
medications throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding? Does being pregnant have an
effect on seizure activity?
It’s normal to have a lot of questions when you’re planning a pregnancy, especially if
you live with epilepsy. First and foremost, it’s important to know that the vast majority of
pregnant women with epilepsy give birth to healthy babies. Working with an experienced
epileptologist helps to ensure you receive the prenatal care that’s right for you.
That’s why we formed the Women’s Epilepsy Clinic at the Barrow Epilepsy Center.
Whether you need adjustments to your medications or simply answers to your questions,
we’re here to guide you through your pregnancy journey—from preconception through
postpartum.
Even women who are not planning pregnancies may have unique needs when it comes
to managing their epilepsy. Our providers in the Women’s Epilepsy Clinic are also
experienced in treating catamenial epilepsy, a subtype of epilepsy in which hormonal
fluctuations during the menstrual cycle influence seizure activity.
The Barrow Difference
While you may already have a general neurologist managing your epilepsy and an OB-GYN navigating you through your pregnancy, an epileptologist can help bridge the gap between the two.
The Women’s Epilepsy Clinic at the Barrow Epilepsy Center is unique in its focus, as few clinics are dedicated to the relationship between epilepsy and women’s health.
What to Expect
Patients in our clinic can expect to work with a collaborative team of specialists, who are equipped with the resources of a leading epilepsy facility. In fact, the Barrow Epilepsy Center is accredited as a Level 4 Comprehensive Epilepsy Center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers, the highest level of care defined by the organization.
New epilepsy patients who are pregnant are initially seen by board-certified neurologist and epileptologist Ritika Suri, MD. After the first visit, patients have monthly appointments alternating between Dr. Suri and advanced practice providers Maximilian Vuong, PA-C, and Erin Collins, PA-C, to support seizure control. We perform monthly lab work to monitor medication levels and provide ongoing counseling at each visit to adjust to the patients’ needs and assist in planning for delivery and postpartum care. Patients who have already established care with the Barrow Epilepsy Clinic will be seen by Dr. Suri and her team as well as their primary epileptologist.
Coordinated care between Dr. Suri’s team, your primary epileptologist, and your OB-GYN helps ensure effective seizure management during labor and delivery. Care doesn’t end there, though. Patients will continue monthly appointments for up to six months postpartum, maintaining regular lab monitoring and medication adjustments to manage seizures. After six months, patients typically decrease their visits to once every four to six months, depending on seizure frequency. We also encourage patients to sign up for the North American Antiepileptic Drug (AED) Pregnancy Registry to support research and improve care for women with epilepsy.
Request an Appointment
Call (602) 406-6262