Pregnancy and Anti-Seizure Medications: Risks & Considerations

Question
"my sister is 22 years old. she is soon to marry. Recently she was diagnosed with some kind of seizure. she is prescribed Tegretol. she is asked to continue this for 4 years. can she marry, and go for a baby with out any risk. can she continue with the medicine and still conceive. what are the precautions she should take if she goes ahead with a pregnency. will there be any risk related.  

Answer
We have many patients with seizure dosorders who are taking Tegretol and who easily become pregnant and carry a pregnancy to term and have a normal delivery. I have just delivered a patient who has had epilepsy since childhood and who has just last night delivered a beautiful baby with no problems. Don't worry. She must continue the Tegretol and occasionally have a Tegretol level taken by the lab, but otherwise should be fine.