Abstract
Purpose
This study provides an up-to-date systematic review and thematic synthesis of pregnancy and reproductive health experiences of women with epilepsy. Understandings of women’s experiences are essential to designing effective quality of care interventions that will lead to needed improvements in maternal health outcomes.
Methods
We undertook a systematic search of medical, social science and psychology databases to identify studies conducted from 2012 to 2024 that employed qualitative methods or qualitative methods within a mixed method design. We conducted a thematic analysis of qualitative results from identified studies to synthesize findings.
Results
Eleven publications from nine studies were identified. Six focused on the experiences of women with epilepsy during pregnancy, while five explored their experiences of reproductive health more generally. Most publications (n = 10) were of high methodological quality. Across the pre-pregnancy, antenatal, and postnatal periods, women navigate a landscape defined by uncertainty, inadequate and conflicting information, and poorly coordinated care, all while managing significant anxieties and stigma.
Conclusion
A persistent inertia exists in improvements to healthcare practice supporting the pregnancies of women with epilepsy. Gaps remain in the provision of timely pre-conception counselling, clear guidance on medication and breastfeeding, and crucially, of sensitive communication on the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. More research with women from a diversity of socio-cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds is needed to ensure interventions are informed by their experiences. Moving beyond the identified inertia requires a commitment to transforming care from a model of management to one of holistic, woman-centered support.
This study provides an up-to-date systematic review and thematic synthesis of pregnancy and reproductive health experiences of women with epilepsy. Understandings of women’s experiences are essential to designing effective quality of care interventions that will lead to needed improvements in maternal health outcomes.
Methods
We undertook a systematic search of medical, social science and psychology databases to identify studies conducted from 2012 to 2024 that employed qualitative methods or qualitative methods within a mixed method design. We conducted a thematic analysis of qualitative results from identified studies to synthesize findings.
Results
Eleven publications from nine studies were identified. Six focused on the experiences of women with epilepsy during pregnancy, while five explored their experiences of reproductive health more generally. Most publications (n = 10) were of high methodological quality. Across the pre-pregnancy, antenatal, and postnatal periods, women navigate a landscape defined by uncertainty, inadequate and conflicting information, and poorly coordinated care, all while managing significant anxieties and stigma.
Conclusion
A persistent inertia exists in improvements to healthcare practice supporting the pregnancies of women with epilepsy. Gaps remain in the provision of timely pre-conception counselling, clear guidance on medication and breastfeeding, and crucially, of sensitive communication on the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. More research with women from a diversity of socio-cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds is needed to ensure interventions are informed by their experiences. Moving beyond the identified inertia requires a commitment to transforming care from a model of management to one of holistic, woman-centered support.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 106-113 |
| Journal | Seizure |
| Volume | 133 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published (VoR) - 17 Oct 2025 |