The Australian Pregnancy Register - Epilepsy Queensland
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The Australian Pregnancy Register

Epilepsy Queensland supports the Australian Pregnancy Register (APR). This independent research project has been running for over 20 years nationally.

The Australian Pregnancy Register for Women on Antiepileptic Medications is a voluntary, nationwide study that is enrolling women who are currently pregnant or who have given birth recently (infants up to 12 months of age) in the following categories:

  • Women with epilepsy taking antiepileptic medication (AEDs).
  • Women with epilepsy not taking AEDs.
  • Women taking AEDs for other conditions such as migraine.

The APR collects information to determine which antiepileptic medications are safest for the baby while protecting the mother from seizures. Information is collected about the mother before and after delivery, including:

  • Medical and family history
  • Social and educational background
  • Past pregnancies
  • Epilepsy and treatment details
  • Delivery and baby details

Information is gathered from telephone interviews by trained nurses in a series of four interviews at different time points. Participation by pregnant women with epilepsy is entirely voluntary.

Thanks to over 2500 participants, safer treatment choices for pregnant women are becoming closer to being more clearly defined.

PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT STOP TAKING MEDICATIONS WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING YOUR DOCTOR AS THIS MAY RESULT IN UNCONTROLLED SEIZURES WITH POTENTIALLY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR BOTH THE MOTHER AND THE UNBORN BABY.

For more information call the toll free number 1800 069 722 or visit www.apr.org.au.

Epilepsy Queensland