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Epilepsy in pregnancy

The BJN Podcast

Release Date: 03/31/2026

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Sheila Shepley (nurse practitioner, Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust) speaks with Rita Som (editor, British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing) about caring for and managing women with epilepsy during pregnancy. The podcast episode aims to support healthcare professionals in delivering safe, coordinated and evidence-based care for women with epilepsy during pregnancy and postpartum, by exploring the clinical, pharmacological and psychosocial complexities involved in balancing seizure control with maternal and foetal safety. This educational episode was initiated and funded by Neuraxpharm UK Ltd. The date of recording was February 2026. Job code NXUK/E/0326/20. The views expressed are those of Sheila Shepley.

Bibliography

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12.           Hope OA, Harris KM. Management of epilepsy during pregnancy and lactation. BMJ. 2023;382:e074630. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2022-074630

13.           Yasguclukal M, Acar Z, Bastan B, Mutlu A, Cokar O. Self-discontinuation of antiseizure medication during pregnancy increases postpartum seizure frequency. Experimed. 2022;12(3):174–180. https://doi.org/10.26650/experimed.1183414

14.           National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Epilepsies in children, young people and adults. 2025. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng217 (accessed 16 February 2026)

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