10 Quick Tips About ADHD Medication Pregnancy
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The choice of whether to stop or continue ADHD medication during breastfeeding and pregnancy is challenging for women with the condition. There aren't many studies regarding how exposure over time may affect the pregnant fetus.
A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that children exposed to adhd stimulant medication medication during pregnancy do not develop neurological disorders such as impaired hearing or vision, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high quality studies are required.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are pregnant and taking ADHD medications need to balance the benefits of taking them against the potential risks to the fetus. The doctors don't have the information to give clear advice however they can provide information about risks and benefits to assist pregnant women to make an informed decision.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who were taking ADHD medications in early pregnancy did not face a significantly increased risk of fetal cardiac malformations or major structural birth defects. Researchers conducted a large population-based case control study to compare the incidence of structural defects that were major in infants who were born to mothers who took stimulants during pregnancy. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts reviewed the cases in order to make sure that the classification was accurate and to reduce any bias.
The study conducted by the researchers was not without its limitations. The researchers were not able to, in the first place, to separate the effects caused by the medication from the disorder. This limitation makes it difficult for researchers to establish whether the small differences observed between the groups exposed were due to the use of medications or if they were affected by comorbidities. Additionally the study did not study the long-term effects of offspring on their parents.
The study did find that infants whose mothers took treating adhd without medication medication during pregnancy were at slightly more risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants who whose mothers did not take any Best Medication For Inattentive Adhd or had stopped their medications before or during pregnancy. This increase was due to central nervous system disorders, and the higher risk of admission did not appear to be influenced by the stimulant medications were used during pregnancy.
Women who took stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher likelihood of having a caesarean section or a baby that scored low on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases did not appear to be influenced by the type of medication that was used during pregnancy.
Researchers suggest that the small risks associated with the use ADHD medications in early pregnancies may be offset by the more beneficial outcomes for both baby and mother of continued treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should talk to their patients about this and try to help them develop coping strategies that can lessen the effects of her disorder on her daily life and relationships.
Medication Interactions
More and more doctors are faced with the decision of whether to maintain treatment or stop during pregnancy as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. These decisions are usually made without clear and authoritative evidence. Instead, doctors have to weigh their own knowledge, the experience of other physicians and the research that has been conducted on the subject.
In particular, the issue of possible risks to the baby can be a challenge. The research that has been conducted on this topic is based on observation instead of controlled studies and a lot of the results are contradictory. Most studies restrict their analysis to live-births, which could underestimate the teratogenic impact which can cause terminations or abortions of pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these shortcomings, by examining both data on live and deceased births.
The conclusion The conclusion: While some studies have found a positive association between ADHD medications and the risk of certain birth defects, others have found no such relationship, and most common adhd medications studies have a neutral or slightly negative impact. As a result, a careful risk/benefit assessment must be done in each case.
It can be challenging, if not impossible for women with ADHD to stop taking their medication. In fact, in an article published in the Archives of Women's Mental Health psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping ADHD medication during pregnancy can lead to increased depression, feelings of isolation, and family conflict for these patients. A decrease in medication could also impact the ability to safely drive and to perform work-related tasks which are essential aspects of daily life for people with ADHD.
She suggests that women who are not sure whether to continue taking medication or stop due to pregnancy, educate their family members, colleagues, and friends about the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and the advantages of staying on the current treatment plan. It will also help a woman feel more confident in her decision. It is important to note that some medications can pass through the placenta so if a woman decides to discontinue her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she should be aware that traces of the medication could be transferred to the child.
Birth Defects Risk
As the use and misuse of ADHD drugs to treat symptoms of attention deficit disorder hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasing, so does concern about the potential effects of these drugs on foetuses. A study that was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the existing knowledge on this subject. Utilizing two huge data sets, researchers were able to analyze more than 4.3 million pregnancies to determine whether the use of stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers discovered that although the risk overall is low, first-trimester ADHD medication exposure was associated with slightly higher rates of certain heart defects, such as ventriculoseptal defect.
The authors of the study could not find any association between early medication usage and other congenital anomalies such as facial deformities or club feet. The results are in the same vein as previous studies that showed a small, but significant increase in the number of cardiac malformations among women who began taking ADHD medication prior to the time of the birth of their child. This risk increased during the latter stages of pregnancy when many women began to stop taking their medication.
Women who were taking ADHD medication during the first trimester were more likely to require a caesarean delivery and also have a low Apgar after birth and have a baby that needed help breathing at birth. The authors of the study were unable to eliminate bias due to selection because they limited their study to women with no other medical conditions that might have contributed to the findings.
Researchers hope that their study will provide doctors with information when they see pregnant women. The researchers suggest that, while discussing the risks and benefits are crucial, the decision on whether to continue or stop medication should be based on the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and her needs.
The authors warn that, even though stopping the medication is an option to look into, it is not advised due to the high rate depression and other mental problems for women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth. Additionally, research suggests that women who stop taking their medication will have a harder transitioning to life without them once the baby is born.
Nursing
It can be overwhelming to become a mom. Women who suffer from ADHD may face a lot of challenges when they must manage their symptoms, attend doctor appointments, prepare for the birth of their child and adjust to new routines. As such, many women decide to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout the course of pregnancy.
The risk to a nursing infant is low because the majority of stimulant medications passes through breast milk at a low level. However, the amount of medication exposure to the newborn can vary depending on dosage, how often it is administered and at what time the medication is administered. In addition, different medications are introduced into the baby's system through the gastrointestinal tract, or through breast milk. The effect on the health of a newborn is not fully understood.
Due to the absence of evidence, some doctors may recommend stopping stimulant drugs during a woman's pregnancy. This is a difficult decision for the patient, who must balance the benefits of continuing her medication against the possible risks to the fetus. In the meantime, until more information is available, doctors should inquire with all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and if they are taking or planning to take medication during the perinatal period.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that women can continue to take their safest adhd medication medication in a safe manner during pregnancy and breast-feeding. As a result, many patients are choosing to do so and in consultation with their doctor they have discovered that the benefits of keeping their current medication outweigh any risks.
It is essential for women with ADHD who are contemplating breastfeeding to seek out a specialist psychiatrist's guidance prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss the medication they are taking with their physician and discuss the pros and cons of continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also required to help pregnant women with ADHD recognize the signs and underlying disorder. They should also be educated about treatment options and reinforce coping mechanisms. This should be a multidisciplinary process including obstetricians, GPs and psychiatrists. Pregnancy counseling should consist of a discussion of a treatment plan for the mother as well as the child, as well as monitoring for signs of deterioration, and, if necessary modifications to the medication regime.