Kim is a registered midwife, registered nurse, independent nurse prescriber and advanced clinical practitioner. She retired on 31/7/24 from Hampshire Hospitals. She specialised for over two decades in epilepsy pre-conception and pregnancy counselling and set up and ran three separate successful epilepsy services-two hospital based and one community as a Sapphire Epilepsy Specialist Nurse. She has extensive experience in epilepsy medication prescribing management, valproate assessments & all aspects of epilepsy. She continues to volunteer as an assessor & chapter group writer for MBRRACE; epilepsy charitable groups and conducts presentations nationally and internationally. She also reviews articles, guidelines and reports.
Copyright Simon Way Photographer
Kim Morley, Email: epilepsymidwife@gmail.com Twitter @epilepsymidwife
A peer reviewed maternity epilepsy toolkit1 designed to improve history taking; reduce risk, increase knowledge and awareness and provide a summary of a woman’s epilepsy management in pregnancy. Documentation should start at the booking appointment and continue throughout pregnancy and the postnatal period. Please use alongside information from the RCOG green top epilepsy in pregnancy guidelines (2016) and this website. Print in colour, double sided. Copyright Kim Morley: please reference if used in any publications. 1. Morley K (2020) Reducing risks for pregnant women with epilepsy: A qualitative study exploring experiences of using a toolkit at the antenatal booking appointment. Epilepsy & Behavior Abstract
5/09/2024 MHRA advises men and their partners taking valproate to use effective contraception. Please click onto link for latest guidance GOV.UK
20/06/24 New pregnancy prevention measures introduced for topiramate. Topiramate must no longer be prescribed to women and girls unless they fulfil the requirements of a Pregnancy Prevention Programme GOV.UK
22/01/24 Safety and educational materials to support the regulatory measures for prescribing valproate for epilepsy & bipolar for women of child-bearing age & when initiating prescribing in men & women 12-55 years GOV.UK
28/11/23 MHRA National Patient Safety Alert for valproate prescribing Gov.UK Review & expert advice
12/10/23 Lessons learnt from neurological complications MBRRACE-UK UK Maternal Report p70-82
12/12/22 MHRA statement: Valproate reminder of current Pregnancy Prevention Programme: GOV.UK
12/12/22: Drug safety update article. Because of the known risk of birth defects and neurodevelopmental disorders following use of valproate in pregnancy, valproate should only be used in women of child-bearing potential if a Pregnancy Prevention Programme is in place, which includes a requirement to use effective contraception GOV.UK No one should stop taking valproate without advice from their healthcare professional.
12/12/22: How effective are the different form of contraception? NHS UK. Check antiseizure interactions with hormonal contraceptives in resources from: Epilepsy Action Epilepsy Society
21/7/22 Safety review to begin on topiramate which will look at possible harms in the learning and development of children exposed during pregnancy GOV.UK Advice for professionals on gov.uk-
29/6/22 Taylor, E., Junaid, F., Khattak, H., Sheikh, J., Ghosh, J., Kemah, B.L., Piercy, C.N., Morley, K., Moss, N., Knox, E. and Allotey, J., 2022. Care of pregnant women with epilepsy in the United Kingdom: A national survey of healthcare professionals. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. ejog.org Privileged to have been part of this team & scoping exercise confirming that current care for women with epilepsy in UK is fragmented. Future research from the team aims to standardise accessible care, improve communication, optimise seizure risk prediction & improve understanding of impact on unborn babies from anti-seizure medicines. Proud for the maternity epilepsy toolkit to feature.
22/6/22 Research opportunity: now closed "The MuM-PreDiCT team are interested in speaking with women and birthing people who are at least 28 weeks pregnant and/or have given birth in last 2 years and who are living with two or more long-term health conditions, including epilepsy, to understand their experiences of pregnancy care.
21/6/22 Independent Neurology Inquiry, Belfast Report
27/4/22 Epilepsies in children, young people and adults NICE guideline [NG217] publication NICE
26/1/22 Kim Morley blog for epilepsy research: Epilepsy in Pregnancy in the Clinic | Epilepsy Research UK
11/1/22 Epilepsy Research UK webinar including Epilepsy in pregnancy Research Roundtable webinars Epilepsy Research UK
11/11/21 Following latest MBRRACE UK Maternal Dec 2021 report. It remains vital health professionals and women with epilepsy in pregnancy and postnatal year are aware of risk reduction strategies for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).
17/6/21 Risks of sodium valproate. GMC case study scenario for GPs, Pharmacists, epilepsy nurses & health professionals involved in a woman's care partnership: Ethical guidance and learning
16/06/21 Letter to women and girls
taking sodium valproate with information re safety, contraception & pregnancy NHS England Do not stop taking valproate unless you have spoken to your doctor or
nurse. If valproate is stopped without receiving specialist advice, seizure control may change and uncontrolled seizures can increase the risks of accidents, injuries and seizure related deaths.
Further information Epilepsy Action Epilepsy Society SUDEP Action
03/05/21 Are you part of a UK professional team offering support to women during pregnancy? Please take part in the National Mapping Survey of Epilepsy in Pregnancy Now closed
16/02/21 Join us for this GOLD Midwifery 2021 Online Conference presentation with Kim Morley, MSc, INP, RM, RN! "Epilepsy in Pregnancy: Reducing Risks with a Multiprofessional Healthcare Team" is an info-packed presentation with the latest evidence on the impact of care on outcomes for mothers and infants. You'll learn about the potential health burden associated with epilepsy, how to reduce risks during pregnancy, and the importance of a multi-professional approach.GOLD conference
14/01/2021 Doubling of deaths of women with epilepsy SUDEP-Action. My perspective about this: Blog
14/01/21 Mortality rate in women with epilepsy due to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) has more than doubled (2016-18) since the 2013-15 MBRRACE review. MBRRACE 2020 report
7/01/21 Review looks at risks associated with epilepsy drugs during pregnancy Epilepsy Society
7/01/21 Epilepsy midwife looks at risks around epilepsy drugs during pregnancy for Epilepsy Society
7/01/21 Press release - safety review of epilepsy medicines in pregnancy - women who may become pregnant urged to discuss treatment options with their doctor GOV.UK
7/01/21 Click GOV.UK for latest safety leaflet on epilepsy medicines and pregnancy to help patients and their families understand the risks.
7/01/21 The Public Assessment Report of antiepileptic drugs: review safety of use during pregnancy GOV.UK
08/07/20 This report captures the voices of victims & their families with hidden conditions associated with harm from valproate, primodos and mesh: The independent Medicines and Medical Device Review
06/05/20 Valproate Pregnancy Prevention Programme: temporary advice for management during coronavirus (COVID-19). Click: GOV.UK
22/03/20 Advice regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) for pregnant women: rcog.org.uk
2/2/20 Special Edition: Prevent 21: SUDEP summit: International journal publishes research on tackling epilepsy deaths: epilepsybehavior.com
26/01/20 Valproate use by women and girls update: www.gov.uk
3/01/20 Mothers on antiepileptic drugs can safely breastfeed Medscape.com
9/09/19 Epilepsy community calls for urgent action to prevent Brexit-related epilepsy deaths. Link:
06/08/2019 Morley k (2019) Reducing risks for pregnant women with epilepsy: A qualitative study exploring experiences of using a toolkit at the antenatal booking appointment Epilepsy & Behavior
16/04/19 Valproate medicines & serious harms in pregnancy: New annual risk acknowledgement form Drug Safety Update volume 12, issue 9: April 2019: 2.
30/03/19 Guidance on valproate use in women/girls of childbearing years. Royal Colleges Guidance
28/03/19 Valproate in children, young people and adults NICE update
21/03/19 Medicines with teratogenetic potental: effective contraception/pregnancy testing: GOV.UK
18/12/18 Valproate medicines: are you acting in compliance with the pregnancy prevention programme? Gov.UK
02/11/18 SUDEP Action Prevent 21 Summit, collaboration of families, professionals, patient support groups, staff, trustees and MP's from SUDEP Action passionate about reducing preventable deaths from epilepsy. Find out more: SUDEP Action
26/09/18 Valproate Pregnancy Prevention Programme: actions required now from GPs, specialists, and dispensers GOV.UK
2/09/18 Midwives do read my latest article and learn about how you can optimise safety for women with epilepsy British Journal of Midwifery Look out for publication details of research into midwives experiences of using the maternity epilepsy toolkit later this year.
17/07/18 Medicines taken during pregnancy: please report suspected drug reaction, including in the baby or child, on a Yellow Card GOV.UK
14/07/18 at 12pm. 'Picnic in the Park' Join us with your families at 'Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park' Meadow off Essex Way (near Velodrome), London, E20 1DY, UK. Please bring your own picnic. This event will provide an opportunity of getting to know other women with epilepsy. Further details and booking click Epilepsy Action.
16/06/18 Cannabis treatment for epilepsy. Is there enough evidence of its efficacy? Pharmaceutical Journal
7/06/18 Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) assessment report for valproate.
valproate and related substances
May 2018 AntiEpileptic drug Monitoring in PREgancy: a double-blind randomised trial on effectiveness and acceptability of monitoring strategies
SIGN 143 Diagnosis and epilepsy management in adults
International League Against Epilepsy Guidelines
Epilepsies in children, young people and adults NICE guideline [NG217] NICE Published: 27 April 2022
Epilepsy Action Research
Epilepsy Society Research projects
Epilepsy Research UK Transforming lives through research
Allotey J, Fernandez-Felix BM, Zamora J, Moss N, Bagary M, Kelso A, et al. (2019) Predicting seizures in pregnant women with epilepsy: Development and external validation of a prognostic model. PLoS Med 16(5): e1002802. PLOS Medicine
Al Wattar B, Tamilselvan K, Khan R, Kelso A, Sinha A, Pirie A, McCorry D, Khan K and Thangaratinam S (2016) Development of a core outcome set for epilepsy in pregnancy (E-CORE): a national multi-stakeholder modified Delphi consensus study, BJOG: An International Journal Of Obstetrics And Gynaecology, MEDLINE, EBSCOhost, viewed 14 December 2016.
Asadi-Pooya AA (2015) Review: High dose folic acid supplementation in women with epilepsy: Are we sure it is safe?. Seizure: European Journal Of Epilepsy 27: 51-53
BNF on line service BNF publications
Bromley R (2016) The treatment of epilepsy in pregnancy: The neurodevelopmental risks associated with exposure to antiepileptic drugs. Reproductive Toxicology 64, 44th Annual Conference of the European Teratology Society 203-210
Bromley, R, Weston, J, & Marson, A (2017) Maternal Use of Antiepileptic Agents During Pregnancy and Major Congenital Malformations in Children. Jama 318 (17):1700-1701
CEU Guidance:Important contraception advice lamotrigine & enzyme inducing epilepsy medications Drug interactions with hormonal contraception January 2017
Epilepsy Specialist Nurse Association (ESNA) Contact:ESNA online
Gov.UK: Sodium valproate alert abnormal pregnancy outcomes & new communication materials Feb 16
Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment: GAD-7 Anxiety Test Questionnaire
GP and Health Professional Resources: Epilepsy Action Primary Care Resource Pack
Herzog A, Mandle H, Cahill K, Fowler K, Hauser W and Davis, A (2016) Contraceptive practices of women with epilepsy: Findings of the epilepsy birth control registry. Epilepsia (Series 4), 57(4): 630-637
ILAE Epilepsy and Womens Group Archive epilepsy and women Joining together to make pregnancy outcomes better
Kinney MO and Morrow J (2016) Epilepsy in pregnancy BMJ 353:i2880
Muir Maxwell Centre: Educational animation video for young people: Me and my epilepsy
Multi-drug Interaction Checker Medscape.com drug/drug/interaction/checker
NHS Choices: Moodzone: Self help toolkit for Stress, Anxiety & Depression
Neurochecklist includes evidence based advice for epilepsy diagnosis & management
Panebianco M, Sridharan K and Ramaratnam S (2017) Yoga for epilepsy: Cochrane Review
Patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) Instrument for measurement of common mental health disorders
Pennell PB, French JA, May RC, Gerard E, Kalayjian L, Penovich P, Gedzelman E, Cavitt J, Hwang S, Pack AM, Sam M, Miller JW, Wilson SH, Brown C, Birnbaum AK, Meador KJ; MONEAD Study Group. Changes in seizure frequency and antiepileptic therapy during pregnancy. N Engl J Med. 2020;383(26):2547-2556. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2008663.
Preventing maternal mortality: Its better to ask Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow & Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists.
Reiter S, Bjørk M, Daltveit A, Veiby G, Kolstad E, Engelsen B and Gilhus N (2016) Life satisfaction in women with epilepsy during and after pregnancy. Epilepsy & Behavior 62: 251-257 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525505016302037
Royal College of General Practitioners Clinical epilepsy resources
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists: RCOG information leaflet for women with epilepsy in pregnancy
Royal College of Psychiatry: Mental Health Problems in Pregnancy
Spencer B (2015) 'Medications and Breastfeeding for Mothers With Chronic Illness' JOGNN: Journal Of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing 44(4): 543
Thangaratinam S, Marlin N, Newton S, Weckesser A, Bagary M, Greenhill L, et al. AntiEpileptic drug Monitoring in PREgnancy (EMPiRE): a double-blind randomised trial on effectiveness and acceptability of monitoring strategies. Health Technol Assess 2018;22(23)
Tomson T, Battino D, Bonizzoni E, Craig J, Lindhout D, Perucca E, Sabers A, Thomas S & Vajda F (2015) Dose-dependent teratogenicity of valproate in mono-and polytherapy. Neurology 85 (10): 866-872
Tomson, TorbjörnFaravelli, Francesca et al. (2018) Comparative risk of major congenital malformations with eight different antiepileptic drugs: a prospective cohort study of the EURAP registry. The Lancet Neurology. 17(6): 530 - 538 The Lancet Neurology
UK Teratology Information Service UKTIS for information leaflets about topiramate, gabapentin, pregabalin, sodium valproate, carbamazepine and lamotrigine.
Voinescu PE, Page B, Pennell MD (2018) Delivery of a personalised treatment approach to women with epilepsy Semin Neurol 37(6):611-623
Weston J, Bromley R, Jackson CF, Adab N, Clayton-Smith J, Greenhalgh J, Hounsome J, McKay AJ, Tudur Smith C and Marson AG (2016) Monotherapy treatment of epilepsy in pregnancy: congenital malformation outcomes in the child Cohrane Database of Systematic Reviews 11 Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010224.pub2/epdf
Morley K. (2024) Epilepsy and Pregnancy. ISSN 2516-5852 (Online). AIMS Journal, 2024, Vol 36, No 2. aims.org.uk
Allison Felker*, Kim Morley*, Pooja Dassan*, Upma Misra, Samantha Holden and Marian Knight on behalf of the MBRRACE-UK neurology chapter writing group. Learning from Neurological complications. In: Knight M, Bunch K, Felker A, Patel R, Kotnis R, Kenyon S, Kurinczuk JJ (Eds.) on behalf of MBRRACE-UK. Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care Core Report - Lessons learned to inform maternity care from the UK and Ireland Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths and Morbidity 2019-21. Oxford: National Perinatal
Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford 2023: p70-82
Taylor, E., Junaid, F., Khattak, H., Sheikh, J., Ghosh, J., Kemah, B.L., Piercy, C.N., Morley, K., Moss, N., Knox, E. and Allotey, J., 2022. Care of pregnant women with epilepsy in the United Kingdom: A national survey of healthcare professionals. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. ejog.org
Morley, K., 2021. Enhancing patients' experiences of living with epilepsy. Nursing Standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain): 1987).
Morley K (2021) MBRRACE review findings: SUDEP Action Blog
Marian Knight, Adrian Wills, Sreeman Andole, Kathryn Bunch, Samantha Holden, Sebastian Lucas, Kim Morley, Catherine Nelson-Piercy, Judy Shakespeare, Esther Youd on behalf of the MBRRACE-UK neurology chapter-writing groupIn Knight M, Bunch K, Tuffnell D, Shakespeare J, Kotnis R, Kenyon S, Kurinczuk JJ (Eds.) on behalf of MBRRACE-UK. Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care - Lessons learned to inform maternity care from the UK and Ireland Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths and Morbidity 2016-18. Oxford: National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford 2020: p36-42
MBRRACE UK Maternal Dec 2020 report
Morley K (2021) Epilepsy midwife looks at risks around epilepsy drugs during pregnancy for Epilepsy Society: Blog
Morley K interview with Dr Ruth Oshikanlu MBE, 2020 Celebrating the Year of the Nurse and Midwife: Nurses & Midwives Talk
Morley K (2020) Reducing risks for pregnant women with epilepsy: A qualitative study exploring experiences of using a toolkit at the antenatal booking appointment. Epilepsy & Behavior PDF
Blake J, Ablitt A, Ruffmann C, Morley K, Williams S, Moore A & Papps B (2019) Functional neurological disorder: Reflections on a pilot psychoeducational group in Hampshire. The Neuropsychologist: 8.
Morley K (2019) Reducing risks for pregnant women with epilepsy: A qualitative study exploring experiences of using a toolkit at the antenal booking appointment. Epilepsy & Behavior Medscape.com
Watkins L, Cock H, Angus-Leppan H, Morley K, Wilcock M, Shankar R, (2019) Valproate MHRA guidance: limitations and opportunities. Frontiers in Neurology. Available from: Front. Neurol. Front. Neurol.
Morley K (2018) Epilepsy in pregnancy: The role of the midwife in risk management. British Journal of Midwifery 26 (9): 564-573
Morley K (2018) The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Epilepsy i-module. Poster Abstract. Patient Safety Congress, Manchester
Morley K (2017) The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Epilepsy i-module. Poster Abstract. MBRRACE-UK Launch meetings, 2017, London and Manchester
Morley K (2017) Exploring midwives experiences of using a maternity epilepsy toolkit. Poster Abstract. MBRRACE-UK Launch meetings, 2017, London and Manchester.
Morley K (2017) Exploring midwives experiences of using a maternity epilepsy toolkit. Poster Abstract 26 p68. The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) British Chapter Conference 2017, Leeds.
Morley K (2017) Epilepsy i-learn module Royal College of Midwives. Available from: RCM Epilepsy i-learn module
Morley K (2016, October) Validation of an epilepsy shared-care toolkit designed to reduce disparity in maternity care provision. Poster presented at the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) British Chapter Conference 2016, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
Morley K (2016) Specialist Midwifery (pt 2) The career journey of an epilepsy specialist midwife practitioner Epilepsy Professional Autumn 2016 Leeds: Epilepsy Action (42): 24-27
Morley K (2016) More than a midwife Epilepsy Today September 2016 Leeds: Epilepsy Action (131): 18-20
Morley K (2016) Looking forward IN: Academy of Royal Colleges (eds) A vision of healthcare 20/20. London: Academy of Royal Colleges 102-103 pdf
Morley K (2016) Specialist Midwifery (pt 1) The career journey of an epilepsy specialist midwife practitioner Epilepsy Professional Summer 2016 Leeds: Epilepsy Action (41): 18-22
Morley K (2016) Antiepileptic drug management during pregnancy: A shared decision approach. British Journal of Midwifery 24(5): 353-361 Available from:
http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/bjom.2016.24.5.353
Morley K (2016) Optimising midwifery care for women with epilepsy. Nursing in Practice. Available from: http://www.nursinginpractice.com/article/optimising-midwifery-care-women-epilepsy
Morley K (2010) Book review: Effective Migraine Treatment in Pregnant & Lactating Women: A Practical Guide. Authors: DA Marcus and PA Bain (2009) Humana Press The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 12(1): 6 Link
Morley K (2009) Specialist midwife-epilepsy Disability, Pregnancy & Parenthood International 66.
Morley K (2009) Sudden unexpected disablement Disability, Pregnancy & Parenthood International 66
Morley K (2008) Improving care for women with epilepsy. British Journal of Midwifery 16(10): 649-655 Available from: http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/bjom.2008.16.10.31233