Approximately 2.5 million people in the U.S. suffer from epilepsy; of these, more than one million are women of child-bearing age. With concerns about everything from medication-related birth defects to falls during seizures, many of these women are fearful of having children. The good news is that, with proper prenatal care, more than 90% will deliver healthy babies. Epilepsy and Pregnancy gives readers the basic facts they need to help them make medical decisions throughout preconception, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the early days after childbirth. Topics include preconception, fertility, pregnancy risks, risks to the fetus, nutrition, keeping fit, what to expect during pregnancy, fetal development, and labor and delivery.
In addition, the book includes guidelines for the use of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy, recommendations and questions to ask their neurologist, recommended daily allowances by age group, glossary, and much more. Epilepsy and Pregnancy is an essential guide for any woman who suffers from epilepsy and desires to have a child.
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Reviews
"Expertly co-authored by Stacey Chillemi and Blanca Vazquez...Epilepsy and Pregnancy provides a superb presentation for everything epileptic women must know about having children...truly, an invaluable reference for all women wishing for more information on the risks of childbirth and care with epilepsy."--Midwest Book Review"The authors keep the practical and pragmatic in mind as they describe preconception counseling, fertility, risks, the pregnancy process itself, nutrition, labor and delivery, post-delivery, and breast feeding."--SciTech Book News
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Stacey ChillemiStacey Chillemi, an epilepsy sufferer for over 27 years, has published numerous articles and books on epilepsy, including Epilepsy: YouÇ Ƒre Not Alone and My Mommy Has Epilepsy. She is a H.O.P.E. mentor for the Epilepsy Foundation and speaks at numerous schools and organizations in order to educate others about epilepsy. In 2002, Ms. Chillemi was proud to accept the Outstanding Volunteer Award from the Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey
Blanca Vazquez, MDBlanca Vazquez, MD, is an attending physician in Neurology and director of Clinical Trials and Outpatient Services at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at New York University Medical Center in New York. In addition, she is the author and coauthor of many articles in peer-reviewed journals and a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Epilepsy Foundation of New York City, the Academy of Neurology, the American Epilepsy Society, the Spanish American Medical Society of New York, the American Electroencephalography Society, the American Medical Association and the New Jersey Neurology Association.
Dr. Vazquez is the co-chair of the Professional Advisory Board of the Epilepsy Foundation of New York City and a member of the Professional Advisory Board of the Epilepsy Foundation. She is the recipient of the Peter Ho Memorial Award for Humanism in Medicine.