What might happen if I stopped taking my valproic acid* and then had a seizure during my pregnancy?
Having a seizure while pregnant might be harmful to the fetus. Complications depend on many things, such as the type of seizure, how long the seizure lasts, and the number of seizures that happen. Epileptic seizures might cause periods of time when the fetus is not getting enough oxygen, which could lead to problems with development. These seizures could also be life-threatening for both the pregnant individual and the fetus. A seizure could cause a pregnant individual to fall or have an accident that could injure themselves or the fetus.
What might happen if I stopped taking my valproic acid* and then had a relapse of bipolar disorder during my pregnancy?
Pregnant individuals who have bipolar disorder and stop taking their medication during pregnancy might have a higher chance for symptoms of depression or mania that could be harmful to both the pregnant individual and the fetus. Episodes of depression or mania are very stressful for a pregnant individual. During manic or depressive episodes, the pregnant individual might have more trouble taking care of themselves and keeping themselves safe.
I take valproic acid*. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?
Some studies suggest that people on valproic acid might have a higher chance of developing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition associated with trouble getting pregnant. Studies have found that individuals with seizure disorders and individuals with bipolar disorder might have problems with their periods and trouble getting pregnant. This possible increase might be due to the conditions that the individual have, rather than the use of medication.
Does taking valproic acid* increase the chance of miscarriage?
Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. It is not known if valproic acid increases the chance of miscarriage.
Does taking valproic acid* increase the chance of birth defects?
Every pregnancy starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a birth defect. This is called the background risk. Studies have found that taking valproic acid* in pregnancy is associated with a chance of having a baby with fetal valproate spectrum disorder which includes minor and major birth defects. Birth defects are typically classified as major if they need surgery to be repaired. Some of the birth defects that are more likely to happen include heart defects, cleft lip (when the lip does not form correctly and needs surgery to repair after birth), or neural tube defects (an opening in the baby’s spine or skull). Some babies exposed to valproic acid* might also have more minor birth defects like facial differences, such as a thin upper lip. The chance of a birth defect seems to be greater with higher doses of valproic acid or with taking it with another seizure medication.
The most common neural tube defect linked to valproic acid use is spina bifida (opening in the spine). The chance of a neural tube defect when taking valproic acid is approximately 1 in 50 to 1 in 100 (1-2%). Taking extra folic acid before trying to get pregnant and in early pregnancy might help lower the chance of some birth defects in pregnancies exposed to valproic acid. Talk to your healthcare provider about how much folic acid you should take. For more information on folic acid, see our fact sheet here.
Does taking valproic acid* in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems?
Valproic acid* might increase the chance of low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth). There have been reports of temporary low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) in newborns.
Does taking valproic acid* in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?
Prenatal exposure to valproic acid* can increase the chance of problems with learning and development. Different studies have shown an increased chance of intellectual disability, developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, other developmental disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, attachment disorder, decreased language and memory skills, and decreased social and adaptive behavior skills. Not all studies have shown the same results. Some of the long-term problems in the exposed children might be due to how severe the seizure disorder is in the woman who is pregnant.
What screenings or tests are available to see if my pregnancy has birth defects or other issues?
There are ways to screen for neural tube defects in pregnancy. A blood test can be done to measure the amount of a protein called alpha fetoprotein (AFP) in the blood of the pregnant individual. Babies with spina bifida have higher levels of AFP. If the AFP is higher than usual in the blood test, more testing or screenings might be offered to you to get more information.
An ultrasound that looks at the fetal spine can be used to screen for spina bifida. Ultrasounds can also screen for some other birth defects, such as a heart defect or cleft lip. Talk with your healthcare provider about any prenatal screenings or testing that are available to you. There are no tests available during pregnancy that can tell how much effect there could be on future behavior or learning.
Disclaimer
HEALTHY PREGNANCY HUB provides a source of information validated by health professionals; however, this information is provided for informational purposes only and should not replace professional advice. Medical standards and practices evolve as new data becomes available, so it is imperative to consult your doctor or a qualified health professional for any questions or concerns regarding your health without delay or omission. It is the responsibility of your treating physician or any other health professional, based on their independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine the best way to evaluate and treat you.
HEALTHY PREGNANCY HUB does not specifically recommend or endorse any test, practitioner, treatment, product, or opinion mentioned on our platform. HEALTHY PREGNANCY HUB also does not replace the individual patient assessment based on the examination by the healthcare provider of each patient and the consideration of laboratory data and other patient-specific factors.
The use of the information available on our site is at your own risk. No person involved in the creation, production, promotion, or marketing of HEALTHY PREGNANCY HUB guarantees or represents, expressly or implicitly, anything regarding the information available on the platform, which is provided “as it is”. All warranties are expressly excluded and disclaimed, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, as well as any warranties arising by law or otherwise in law or from trade or usage. Any statements or representations made by any other person or entity are void.
While consulting symptoms or other medical information on our platform may guide your discussions with your healthcare professional, this information should not be used to make a medical diagnosis or determine treatment. Before making changes to your supplement or medication regimen, please discuss with your medical team or contact 811 (Canada) to ensure the relevance of these changes to your individual situation.