The New England Journal of Medicine published a study in June of 2010 indicating that women who take Depakote (Valproic Acid) during pregnancy may be 12 times more likely to give birth to infants with birth defects like spina bifida. Other side effects and risks that have been linked to Depakote include, but are not limited to heart defects, cleft palates, cranial defects, urinary defects, underdevelopment of limbs, and the presence of extra manual and podiatric digits.