[FLORENCE1085]

I am a 22 almost 23 year old and I have had three miscarriages and now I really want to have another baby to give my son a brother or a sister, but I just lost yet another baby. I had my first miscarriage when I was 18. The doctor said it was because stress and the fact that I was working construction. The second one was when I was 21 and the doctor said it was because I was on the depo shot. Now the third one was three weeks ago and I am starting to blame myself. I am getting married in June 2009 and my guy wants a baby so bad. He is 32 and we are worried that if we keep losing babies it is going to be too much for us. This last time I had in an IUD. I wonder why I only get pregnant when I am on some type of birth control and not when I am trying to get pregnant. I have been pregnant 4 times and each time I was on some type of birth control and I always use it correctly. My doctor thinks something is wrong in my head. I have seizures and he thinks there could be some rare link. What do I do. We are thinking about him getting cut because we cannot take the horrible felling of sorrow we keep getting.

[Wondergirl]

RELAX!!

Get yourself emotionally and physically healthy first before another baby. Both of you are young enough to wait a bit. Meanwhile, carefully use birth control.

Also, check further into what's going on with the seizure thing. A baby could inherit something from you perhaps.

[J_9]

If you have a seizure disorder, would you mind telling me what medications you are on?

[FLORENCE1085]

I am on Keppra because my neurologist says it will not harm the baby like my old meds did. I was on dilatin before and it was hard on both me and the babies. My soon to be husband wants a baby and so do I. I do not think I will ever get over the fact that I have lost three babies, but I see a psychologist to help me. The funny thing is I just started my PhD in Psychology. I want a baby before I start my career because I know I am going to be on bed rest and I want to breastfeed for at least a year. I finish my Ph.D in two 1/2 years. So having a baby now would fit. I know babies are not supposed to fit, but I know having a baby now would keep my school on schedule and my career.

[J_9]

Unfortunately Keppra is a Category (C) in pregnancy. Meaning, it has been known to cause problems with pregnancy and or the fetus. It is also contraindicated to breastfeed while on this medication.

My source is 2007 Mosby's Nursing Drug Reference page 598.

You should probably talk to your pharmacist and see if there is a better medication to be on during pregnancy that will control your seizures.

[FLORENCE1085]

When I was pregnant with my son I stopped the mediactions and was put on full bedrest. I had seizures but I didn't lose him. Can my seizures have to do with me losing my babies? I fall down a lot and have hurt myself pretty bad. Each time I lose a baby it is around 4 months... why is this happening?

[J_9]

Did you stop taking meds for all of the pregnancies? Or just your son?

[FLORENCE1085]

Just my son because I was able to move in with my older brother and my mom who babysat me all day. I will stop taking it if it will mean a baby, but the other issue is every time I get pregnant I am on birth control. When I am off birth control I do not get pregnant... its so weird... my doctor thinks its my head... I just don't get it

[J_9]

Some medications lessen the effects of birth control, such as certain antibiotics.

I suggest talking to your neurologist about the possibility of the medications and the miscarriages. You can also talk to your OB who would most likely better know if that is what is causing these.

[DoulaLC]

As J_9 said, don't stop taking your meds without discussing it with your doctor.
Sometimes the benefits of the medication will outweigh the potential risk. Talk to your doctor about what is likely to carry the least amount of risk, and what is the lowest dosage you can take to still prevent your seizures. It would be wise to be closely monitored as pregnancy itself can have an effect on how the medication is processed in your system.

While for some women seizures can be a cause of miscarriage, after three, I would ask your doctor, or see a reproductive endocrinologist, about ruling out other possible reasons as well.

When you get to the point of breastfeeding, there are some better options than the Keppra. You have more drug choices while breastfeeding than you do with pregnancy unfortunately.