Women with seizures may be more like to have seizures in the early
postpartum period due to hormonal shifts.  Progesterone seems to inhibit
seizures in some women, and as the progesterone level drops markedly
with the birth of the placenta, it may predispose them to seizures.
Another likely seizure trigger is sleep deprivation.  People with
epilepsy are often more vulnerable to seizures when they are overtired.
  Some breastfeeding moms with epilepsy will need to sleep a longer
period at night and have their spouse give a previously pumped bottle of
their milk, or even the other stuff.  It can also be difficult to
control the blood levels of anticonvulsant meds through pregnancy and
postpartum, as total body water can affect blood levels (some women have
seizures due to premenstrual bloating increasing their body water, and
reducing their blood level).  The levels may need to be adjusted a few
times in the course of the childbearing cycle to compensate for the
hormonal and hydration changes.

In this particular case, it sounds like the mom had just one seizure.
About 6-10% of the population will have a single, unprovoked seizure
some time in their lives.  Other possible reasons for seizures are
poisoning and cardiac problems.  This mom needs to talk to a
neurologist, preferably an epileptologist, if she won't believe the
lactation consultant that the breastfeeding did not cause her seizure.
The epilepsy foundation http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org has a
telephone line people can call with questions like that.  And I fully
agree with Julia's assessment of the case.  Grr.
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  New York City  mailto:[log in to unmask]

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