Women with epilepsy usually need to take medications to treat the condition even while they are pregnant. But how do those medications affect their developing babies?

Two recent studies offered new insight for women who take medications for epilepsy on how to reduce their baby's risk for birth defects and whether breastfeeding is recommended.

Researchers have discovered a link between a common epilepsy medication and a specific birth defect in newborn babies. The study sheds light on how women taking epileptic medications during pregnancy can reduce their chance of having a baby with physical deformities.

Some medications are linked to disorders such as autism or to birth defects when taken during pregnancy. However, that risk must also be balanced against the medication's benefits.

The FDA has issued a safety alert regarding valproate sodium drugs (Depacon, Depakote, Depakote CP, Depakote ER, Depakene, Stavzor, and their generics) taken during pregnancy.

Women with epilepsy comprise one half of a percent of all pregnancies in America. It is necessary for these women to remain on their anti-convulsant drugs during pregnancy as uncontrolled seizures are risky for both the mother and her unborn child.