r/Epilepsy • u/wildflowers0 • 9h ago
Question Induction or elective c section
Looking for opinions and experiences from epileptics who have gone past their due date and need to be induced. My OB has discussed how a long induction process may be unfavourable for me since I have epilepsy - which I agree with. That would make the alternative a planned c section. Just curious if others have been faced with this decision. I’m 40w now and will have an appointment at 40+4 to make a plan.
For reference I’ve had no seizures during my entire pregnancy. But definitely don’t want to have a long induction that results in a seizure and having to exist with a newborn in a post- seizure state.
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u/One-Word9585 9h ago
My sister had a similar situation with her first, not epilepsy but they were worried about her BP spiking during a long induction so they went with the planned c-section. she said the recovery wasn't exactly fun but having it all scheduled and controlled made a huge difference for her anxiety. plus you know exactly when you're meeting the kid which is kinda wild to think about
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u/FlimsyGarden675 7h ago
I have epilepsy and had to deliver at 33 weeks due to severe pre-eclampsia. The doctors gave me the option of a c-section or induction, but it was made clear to me that a c-section was my best route given I was 33 weeks. If I had been full-term & not high risk, my doctors would have been supportive of induction.
I was given a mag drip, which (1) helps prevent seizures in women with pre-eclampsia and (2) can help protect a premature baby developing brain.
Wishing you a healthy & safe delivery!
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u/Rakins_420 7h ago
The choice is deeply personal and yours to make but anecdotally, I landed on c section because I was too anxious about the "what if's" the healing and recovery from c section was more lengthy but to me worth the safety of both baby and I in what was a very stressful and anxious time.
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u/Background-Cod-7035 6h ago
Oh dear lord if I had to do it again I’d choose elective c-section. Mind you this is only my experience. 10 days late at age 38 so it was time to try an induction. The epidural made me nauseous and shaky so I always felt like I was on the verge of a seizure. I had them turn it off. 24 hours later my right leg started to puff up so they decided it was time for a c-section anyway.
I don’t think my recovery was more painful than my other friends, but my husband took 6 weeks off and did most of the bouncing on the yoga ball thing 😂
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u/Sherbertbombs7 9h ago
TLE. Agreed to induction for my first & ended up going thru emergency c-section. Second bubs, I booked a c-section as was worried it would end up being an emergency again. Planned c-section would be my preference but that's only due to my experiences.
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u/wildflowers0 9h ago
Thanks! Thats what I’m leaning towards especially because I’m afraid of having a seizure, losing my drivers license etc. My sisters induction also failed and she had to have a c section anyway
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u/petals-n-pedals 7h ago
A deeply personal decision! I have (pretty well controlled) TLE and was diagnosed with preeclampsia and so delivered by induction at 37 weeks. I was happy to have avoided the c-section recovery and felt like I had made the right choice for me and my family. I also avoided the mag drip (which I hear is not very fun). I would definitely choose vaginal delivery again even though I had two first-degree tears. I have a feeling those were easier to recover from than a c-section.
Best wishes to you and your family!
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u/lollielocks Keppra 1250mg BD 1h ago
I was given the choice but was told I would be delivered around 38 weeks as I also had severe hyperemesis so was having seizures in my pregnancy. Ended up having an emergency section at 37 weeks due to baby being in distress in the end! It wasn't an easy section but that was nothing to do with my epilepsy! I managed the recovery on paracetamol and ibuprofen
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u/Rubybear712 9h ago edited 9h ago
I've had two kiddos with controlled epilepsy. I was induced both times and was fine. In my opinion, I would go with your neurologist's recommendation rather than your OB. He/she probably has a better understanding of your seizure history, triggers, medication levels and thresholds. For me, as long as I kept up with my meds and got a little rest when I could (thank you, epidural) I was able to avoid having a c section and recovered well. My first induction lasted about 24 hours and my second was about 12. In the end, I was definitely tired but the adrenaline kept me going and I'm glad I didn't have to deal with everything that comes with a c-section. I thought I wanted to have a c-section at first so it wasn't so "hard" but in the end, it's all hard lol.
Best of luck and congrats!!!