The EpiKNOW project was a research study supported by Epilepsy Ireland, the Health Research Board and the National Women & Infants Health Programme.
This research, in partnership with subject matter experts and women with epilepsy, identified where information gaps existed for women with epilepsy in the preconception to postpartum period.
This led to the development of the EpiKNOW resources - a series of checklists which have been designed to help support conversations between women with epilepsy and their healthcare providers for during this period. The research specifically identified the need to develop resources to aid women with epilepsy in their conversations with their Primary Care team, Epilepsy Specialist Team and Maternity Care team.
The checklists cover a range of topics such as fertility, contraception, pregnancy sickness, preparing for birth, birth plans, managing seizures postpartum and much more.
In addition, the EpiKNOW project also provided a table of online resources available to women with epilepsy and ranked their quality
If you are a woman with epilepsy in the preconception to postpartum period, we would encourage you to read and download these resources - and use them to help aid your conversations with your healthcare providers.
The resources were officially launched in November 2025 and can be found within this section of our website and downloaded via the buttons below. While these are primarily targeted at women living with epilepsy, they can also be used by Healthcare Professionals to help assist them in their conversations with women with epilepsy.
- EpiKNOW - Conversations with your Primary Care team (GPs and Practice Nurses)
Download the Checklist - EpiKNOW - Conversations with your Epilepsy Specialist Team (Neurologists, epileptologist, epilepsy nurse specialists, clinical and advanced nurse practitioners)
Download the Checklist - EpiKNOW - Conversations with your Maternity Care Team (Obstetrician & Midwifes)
Download the Checklist - EpiKNOW - Resources Table for women with epilepsy
Download the Table
With approximately 25% of all people with epilepsy in Ireland being women of childbearing age, we hope these resources will help assist them on their journeys with the condition. Thank you to everyone who assisted in their development.