Neurologists and epilepsy researchers caution that pregnant women facing sleep deprivation, stress, and low blood sugar or calcium levels may be at risk of experiencing seizures for the first time.
They explain that while epilepsy is the primary cause of seizures, pregnant women with a history of neurological conditions could see fluctuations in seizure frequency during pregnancy.
Furthermore, they mention that women with no history of seizures but with familial epilepsy background might also encounter seizures during pregnancy.
Experts in epilepsy also point out that expectant mothers without preeclampsia history, yet dealing with excessive hunger, low blood sugar, lack of sleep, stress, and emotional disturbances, could develop seizures during pregnancy.
According to Medical News Today, though rare, first-time seizures in pregnant women without prior epilepsy history can be triggered by complications like eclampsia, stress, lack of sleep, and hormonal changes.
A seizure, as defined by John Hopkins Medicine, is an uncontrollable burst of electrical activity among brain cells leading to temporary stiffness, twitching, or loss of awareness and abnormal behaviors or sensations.
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons clarifies that a seizure is a symptom of epilepsy.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization states that epilepsy, affecting around 50 million people globally, is a chronic brain disorder.
WHO mentions that proper diagnosis and treatment can render about 70% of individuals with epilepsy seizure-free, but they face a threefold higher risk of premature death compared to the general population.
Apart from epilepsy, untreated preeclampsia, characterized by high blood pressure during pregnancy, protein in urine, and limb swelling, may progress to eclampsia, leading to seizures and strokes.
Experts stress the importance of regular prenatal visits for pregnant women and the inclusion of specialized neurological care for those with epilepsy during childbirth.
In an interview with PUNCH Healthwise, Professor Ikenna Onwuekwe from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, highlights epilepsy as the primary cause of seizures during pregnancy.
He mentions that fever, low or high blood sugar, and hypertension can predispose pregnant women with epilepsy to seizures.
According to Onwuekwe, pregnant women with epilepsy may experience an increase or decrease in seizure frequency during pregnancy.
He adds that epileptic seizures in pregnancy may have been diagnosed before or brought to light by pregnancy, primarily occurring in women with a predisposition to epilepsy.
Onwuekwe stresses the necessity for pregnant women with epileptic seizures to seek specialized neurological care alongside standard prenatal visits.
He recommends that access to expert care during delivery is crucial for pregnant women with epilepsy.
Furthermore, Professor Onyeadumarakwe Obiako from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, notes that hunger, low blood sugar, and prolonged exposure to LED screen lighting could predispose pregnant women without epilepsy history to seizures.
He mentions that hunger, hypoglycemia, and excessive exposure to light from screens can trigger seizures in pregnant women.
Moreover, emotional disturbances like anger, fights, and arguments may also predispose pregnant women to seizures, added Obiako, a WHO/World Bank postgraduate neurology trainer.
Pregnant women who experience seizures may be at risk of developing neurological disorders. Each seizure episode diverts blood flow towards the brain, potentially leading to inadequate nutrition for the baby and resulting in underweight newborns. There is a possibility of brain abnormalities in babies if pregnancies are not terminated prematurely. However, not all pregnant women who have seizures will have babies with brain irregularities, as these complications are not universal. Seizures during pregnancy can also pose risks such as injury to the mother and the baby if the woman falls on her stomach during a seizure, increasing the chances of sudden death for either the mother or the fetus.
According to experts, women without a history of seizures but with a familial predisposition to epilepsy could experience seizures during pregnancy triggered by genetic factors. Seizures sometimes manifest with atypical behaviors that only become apparent during epileptic episodes. Mental illnesses can also sometimes be mistaken for seizures, especially when seizures present with abnormal behavioral patterns, such as sudden unexplained changes in behavior followed by a return to normalcy.
While epilepsy can be life-threatening, pregnant women with seizure disorders require extra care to ensure their safety and that of their babies. Pregnant women with eclampsia are at risk of stroke, which can later lead to post-stroke seizures. It is recommended that pregnant women attend regular antenatal check-ups to monitor blood pressure and urine protein levels for signs of pre-eclampsia, which, if left untreated, can progress to eclampsia.
To promote a healthy pregnancy and reduce the risk of seizures, pregnant women are advised to manage stress, prioritize restful sleep, limit screen time, and seek medical guidance if already experiencing seizures before pregnancy. Certain medications are safe to use during pregnancy, after delivery, and while breastfeeding to manage seizures effectively while ensuring the well-being of both the mother and the baby.