What should you know about first seizure during pregnancy?

A first seizure during pregnancy is an emergency until assessed, because urgent causes can affect both parent and baby. Protect the head, remove hazards, time the event, and call emergency services. Do not restrain the person or put anything in their mouth. After the movements stop, place them on their side if breathing normally.

A seizure can have causes unrelated to pregnancy, including low blood sugar, infection, medicines, sleep deprivation, or alcohol withdrawal. Pregnancy also raises concern about high blood pressure disorders, especially later in pregnancy or after birth. A clinician may check blood pressure, urine, blood tests, neurological function, and the baby’s wellbeing while deciding which imaging or specialist review is needed.

Keep the area calm and place something soft under the head. Loosen tight clothing around the neck and watch breathing. Do not offer water, food, or tablets until the person is fully awake. Tell the emergency team how far along the pregnancy is, whether there was a fall or abdominal impact, which medicines are taken, and whether headache, vision change, upper abdominal pain, or swelling came first.

Call emergency services for any first seizure in pregnancy, and do so immediately if it lasts more than five minutes, repeats, causes injury, affects breathing, or leaves ongoing confusion. Emergency assessment is also essential with severe headache, visual changes, chest or upper abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, reduced fetal movement, fever, or a stiff neck.

Ask which warning symptoms matter during the rest of pregnancy, how your medicines should be taken, whether driving or bathing alone is restricted, and what follow-up is needed. Ask how the evaluation will monitor the baby and when to contact maternity services again.