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Debbie McCrudden was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2014 and was immediately asked whether she planned to have children. Though she knew she wanted children, the diagnosis made her fear the unknown. This diagnosis made Debbie afraid to leave the house and be alone. Epilepsy affects about 22,000 people in Northern Ireland, and most people with it can live normal lives if seizures are controlled.
Seizures are uncontrollable jerking and shaking, losing awareness, or collapsing. Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) can be effective in stopping or reducing the frequency of seizures, but some AEDs can harm an unborn baby. Debbie wanted to start trying for a baby but was worried about how to navigate pregnancy as her seizures were not under control. When pregnant with her first child, Conall, seizures decreased, but her biggest fear was falling and hurting her baby.
Her second pregnancy was “really awful” as her seizures increased. At one point, Debbie wore a sling because she injured her shoulder having a seizure. Her mum came to the rescue with both children. Now that Debbie’s epilepsy is under control, she is not having any seizures. However, she is mindful that that could change in the future. Her children now know what to do if she has a seizure.
Though having kids was terrifying for Debbie, she is glad that she didn’t let fear stop her from doing what she wanted. Fear has stopped her from making other decisions and doing other things. She credits her mum and husband for helping her be the best mum she could be while managing her epilepsy. Every decision in Debbie’s life takes into account the possibility of having a seizure, which can be exhausting
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