10 Apps To Help Control Your ADHD Medication Pregnancy
10 Apps To Help Control Your ADHD Medication Pregnancy
Blog Article
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women with ADHD must make a difficult decision regarding whether or not to stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Little data exists about how long-term exposure to these drugs can affect the foetus.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that children exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy do not develop neurological issues such as hearing loss or vision, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for higher-quality studies.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are pregnant and taking ADHD medications must weigh the advantages of taking them against the potential risks to the foetus. Physicians do not have the information needed to make unequivocal recommendations but they can provide information regarding benefits and risks that can assist pregnant women in making informed choices.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who used ADHD medications during early pregnancy did not have an increased risk of fetal cardiac malformations or major birth defects that are structural. The researchers used a large population-based case-control study to evaluate the incidence of major structural birth defects in infants born to mothers who took stimulants during the early stages of pregnancy, and those who did not. Pediatric cardiologists, clinical geneticists and other experts reviewed the cases in order to ensure that the classification was accurate and to reduce any bias.
However, the study was not without its flaws. The most important issue was that they were unable to separate the effects of the medication from those of the underlying disorder. This makes it difficult for researchers to establish whether the few associations observed between the groups that were exposed to the use of medications or if they were confounded by comorbidities. The researchers also did not examine long-term outcomes for the offspring.
The study did show that infants whose mothers took ADHD medication during pregnancy were at slightly more risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than those who were born without any medication or had cut back on their medications prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system disorders. The increased risk of admission was not influenced by the stimulant medication that was used during pregnancy.
Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher chance of having an emergency caesarean section or having a baby that scored low on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases appear to be independent of the type of medication taken during pregnancy.
The research suggests that the risk of a small amount with the use of ADHD medications during the early stages of pregnancy may be offset by the greater benefit to both mother and child of continuing treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should discuss this with their patients and, when they are able, assist them in developing strategies to improve coping skills which can reduce the impact of her disorder on her daily life and relationships.
Medication Interactions
Doctors are increasingly faced with the decision of whether to keep treatment or stop as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. These decisions are frequently made without clear and authoritative evidence. Instead, physicians must consider their own expertise and experience, as well as the experiences of other physicians and the research on the subject.
The issue of possible risks to infants is difficult to determine. The research on this issue is based on observation rather than controlled studies, and many of the findings are conflicting. In addition, most studies limit their analysis to live births, which can underestimate severe teratogenic effects that result in abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study presented in this journal club addresses these issues by analyzing data on live and deceased births.
Conclusion: While some studies have revealed an association between ADHD medications and certain birth defects however, other studies haven't shown such a relationship. The majority of studies show an unintended, or slightly negative, effect. In every case, a careful study of the potential risks and benefits must be performed.
For many women with ADHD and ADD, the decision to stop taking medication is difficult, if not impossible. In a recent article published in Archives of Women's Mental Health by psychologist Jennifer Russell, she notes that stopping ADHD medications during pregnancy can lead to depression and feelings of loneliness. A decrease in medication could also affect the ability to drive safely and complete work-related tasks, which are essential aspects of normal life for people with ADHD.
She suggests that women who are unsure whether to continue taking medication or discontinue it due to pregnancy should educate family members, coworkers, and friends about the condition, its impact on daily functioning and the benefits of continuing the current treatment. It will also help a woman feel more confident in her decision. It is important to remember that certain medications are able to pass through the placenta so if the patient decides to stop her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware that traces of the medication could be transferred to the child.
Birth Defects and Risk of
As the use of ADHD medication to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases there are concerns about the effects that the drugs could have on fetuses. A recent study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the existing knowledge on this subject. Researchers used two massive data sets to examine more than 4.3 million pregnant women and determine whether stimulant medications caused birth defects. Researchers discovered that although the risk overall is low, the first trimester ADHD exposure to medication was associated with slightly higher rates of specific heart defects like ventriculoseptal defects.
The authors of the study could not click here discover any link between the use of early medications and other congenital anomalies like facial deformities or club feet. The findings are in line with previous studies revealing the presence of a small, but significant increase in the risk of heart malformations among women who began taking ADHD medications prior to the time of pregnancy. This risk increased during the latter part of pregnancy, when a lot of women stopped taking their medication.
Women who were taking ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely need a caesarean or have an insufficient Apgar after delivery, and have a baby who needed breathing assistance at birth. The researchers of the study were not able to eliminate bias due to selection because they limited their study to women who did not have any other medical conditions that could have contributed to the findings.
The researchers hope that their research will help inform the clinical decisions of doctors who treat pregnant women. The researchers recommend that, while discussing benefits and risks are important, the decision on whether to continue or stop taking medication should be according to the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and the needs of the woman.
The authors also warn that, while stopping the medication is an alternative, it is not a recommended practice because of the high incidence of depression and other mental health issues in women who are pregnant or recently post-partum. Additionally, research suggests that women who stop taking their medications will have a harder adjustment to life without them once the baby is born.
Nursing
It can be a stressful experience to become a mom. Women suffering from ADHD may face a lot of challenges when they must deal with their symptoms, attend doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of their child and adjust to a new routine. As such, many women decide to continue taking their ADHD medication throughout the pregnancy.
The risk for breastfeeding infant is minimal because the majority of stimulant medications is absorbed through breast milk at low levels. However, the amount of exposure to medications by the newborn can vary depending on the dosage, frequency it is taken and the time of the day the medication is administered. In addition, different medications enter the baby’s system through the gastrointestinal tract, or through breast milk. The impact on a newborn's health is not completely known.
Some doctors may decide to stop stimulant medications during a woman's pregnancy due to the absence of research. This is a difficult decision for the patient, who must balance the benefits of continuing her medication with the potential dangers to the embryo. As long as more information is available, doctors may inquire about pregnant patients if they have any history of ADHD or if they are planning to take medication during the perinatal stage.
Numerous studies have proven that women can continue taking their ADHD medication safely while breastfeeding and during pregnancy. This has led to more and more patients opt to do this and in consultation with their doctor they have discovered that the benefits of maintaining their current medication outweigh any risks.
Women with ADHD who plan to breastfeed should seek advice from a specialist psychiatrist before becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their doctor and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continued treatment, including non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also needed to help pregnant women with ADHD be aware of the symptoms and the underlying disorder. They should also be informed about treatment options and strengthen the coping mechanisms. This should be an approach that is multidisciplinary, including the GP as well as obstetricians, psychiatry and obstetricians. Counselling for pregnancy should include the discussion of a treatment plan for both the mother as well as the child, as well as monitoring for signs of deterioration, and the need for adjustments to the medication regimen.