New eLearning supporting safer use of anti-seizure medicines in pregnancy: balancing the risks and potential harm
A new eLearning course to support midwives and other health professionals in the safe use of anti‑seizure medicines in people who may become pregnant is now available.
Developed by the New Zealand College of Midwives (the College) in partnership with the Commission, the course is hosted on the Colleges eLearning platform and is available free of charge.
While it has been designed with midwives in mind, the content is also useful for a range of health professionals, including primary care nurses, pharmacists and general practitioners.
The course was developed with input from Foetal Anti‑Convulsant Syndrome New Zealand (FACSNZ) and relevant stakeholders, helping ensure it reflects a range of perspectives. This co-design collaboration draws on the in-depth knowledge of FACSNZ and the clinical expertise of the College to translate learning from harm into an enduring educational resource that supports safer care.
This work is part of ongoing efforts to reduce medicine-related harm in pregnancy across the health system, including actions identified in the FACS action plan endorsed in 2024.