Postpartum Checklist
Immediately after Delivery & Postnatal Care
- Examine the newborn after delivery. The possibility of sedation and drug withdrawal effects in the newborn should be considered.
- After delivery, re-check antiepileptic drug blood concentrations. Antiepileptic drug doses must be adjusted for at least 2 months postpartum.
- Administration of vitamin K to the newborn to prevent a rare risk of cerebral hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain) is recommended. (Administer 1-2 mg of vitamin K to the infant at birth.)
- Return to your health care provider/advisor for a follow up check on your child for malformations and neurological development.
Postpartum Adjustment
- Discuss issues of postpartum depression, especially if you are a new mother. Try to find ways to include your family in these discussions of support and personal frustrations with your health care provider or counsellor.
- Consider extra safety tips for infant care for women living with epilepsy or seizure disorders. (Some are outlined under Personal Care and Safety).
Breastfeeding your Baby
Breastfeeding should be encouraged despite the fact that all antiepileptic medications cross into the breast milk. The benefits outweight the risks in this situation. It is your decision and your decision should be supported.
- Factors involved in breastfeeding consideration:
- mother's desire to breastfeed
- number of drugs you are taking
- maternal blood levels of drugs
- condition of your baby
- the different transmission rates of AEDs into breastmilk
- the different half-lives of these drugs.
- Discontinue breastfeeding if there are any obvious signs of sedation or lethargy of your infant attributed to antiepileptic medications crossing through the breastmilk.
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