Benji's first Christmas and the end of 2015

Benji's first Christmas turned out to be pretty great.  Riley really got Christmas this year and it was just so magical to watch her face light up with all the magic of Christmas.  We are starting to build our own family traditions, visiting the Christmas lights, Olympia and making church and the religious side of Christmas which is so important to me fun.

So here are a few Christmas photos, which sum up the excitement of the end of what has been a very eventful year with the arrival of Benji who really does make our little family complete.

 

 

Epilepsy and Pregnancy makes The Sunday Mail

Taking medication during pregnancy is always worrying but for some of us we have no choice which is why it is so important we have all the facts so we can make informed decisions.

I feel lucky that I was put on the safer drugs that carry the lowest risks in pregnancy and as a concequence it seems I have 2 healthy children.

But Epilim has been found to carry much greater risks both with birth defects and neurodevelopment  problems in children so why has it taken 40 years for this information to come out especially as ot was known when the drug was first licenced.

Now don't get me wrong I don't think Epilim should be band in women as I have friends who nothing else works for who don't want children. I don't think they should have to suffer with seizures and having a family is a person choice it's not what everyone wants so it shouldn't be presumed everyone wants kids.

But what is important isgirls and women are not put on Epilim as a first line drug and also the risk to a baby is made clear and effective contraception is given.

It's crucial women with epilepsy are given all the information and nothing is hidden from them so they can make truly informed decisions. That's why it's so good to see it in the papers - just hope all the truth comes out now about all the drugs.

If you want more information about the drug you are on then you can contact the UK epilepsy pregnancy register. It's also crucial to register with them if you are pregnant to make sure we have the best data on birth defects and how these drugs effect our children. Find out more here:

www.epilepsyandpregnancy.co.uk

Riley loves the water ~ and now she can really swim!

So proud of Riley - this term she swam 5 metres indepently (actually she can manage a width which is 7 metres). She just loves the water and next term will get to play with flippers and snorkels. We love aquatots :) Benji starts in January and because my seizures seem pretty controlled I'm going to take him. Very exciting.