10 Situations When You ll Need To Be Educated About ADHD Medication Pregnancy
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The decision to stop or keep ADHD medications during breastfeeding and pregnancy is a difficult decision for women suffering from the condition. There are few data regarding how exposure over time may affect a pregnant fetus.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in utero do not develop neurological disorders like hearing or vision impairment seizures, 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 must weigh the benefits of taking them against potential risks to the fetus. Physicians do not have the data needed to give clear guidelines, but they can provide information about risks and benefits that assist pregnant women in making informed choices.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who used ADHD medications in early pregnancy did not face an increased risk of fetal cardiac malformations or major structural birth defects. Researchers used a vast, population-based case-control study to assess the risk of major structural birth defects in infants born to mothers who had taken stimulants in the early stages of pregnancy, and those who did not. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts examined the cases to ensure that the classification was correct and to minimize any bias.
The study of the researchers was not without limitations. Most important, they were not able to differentiate the effects of the medication from the effects of the underlying disorder. That limitation makes it difficult to know whether the small associations observed in the exposed groups are due to medication use or comorbidities that cause confusion. Researchers also did not look at long-term outcomes for offspring.
The study found that infants whose mother had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy were at a slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU) as compared to those whose mothers did not take any medication during pregnancy or had discontinued taking their medication prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system-related disorders, and the increased risk for admission did not appear to be influenced by which stimulant medications were taken during pregnancy.
Women who took stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy also had an elevated chance of having a caesarean section or having a baby born with a low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases appeared to be independent of the type of medication taken during pregnancy.
The researchers suggest that the low risk associated with the use of ADHD medications during early pregnancy may be offset by the greater benefit to both the mother and child from continued treatment for the woman's condition. Physicians should discuss the issue with their patients and, if possible, assist them in developing strategies for improving their coping skills that can lessen the negative impact of her condition on her daily functioning and relationships.
Medication Interactions
As more women than ever are being diagnosed with adhd medication online and treated with medication, the question of whether to keep or stop treatment during pregnancy is a question that more and more physicians face. These decisions are usually made without clear and authoritative evidence. Instead, doctors have to weigh their own knowledge and experience, as well as the experiences of other physicians and the research on the topic.
Particularly, the issue of possible risks to the baby can be tricky. The research on this issue is based on observation instead of controlled studies and the results are contradictory. In addition, most studies limit their analysis to live births, which may underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects that could lead to abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study that is discussed in the journal club addresses these limitations by analyzing data on live and deceased births.
The conclusion: While some studies have found an association between ADHD medications and the risk of certain birth defects, other studies have not found any evidence of a link and the majority of studies demonstrate a neutral or slight negative effect. As a result, a careful risk/benefit analysis must be conducted in every situation.
For a lot of women with ADHD who suffer from ADHD, the decision to discontinue medication is difficult if not impossible. In a recent article in Archives of Women's Mental Health by psychologist Jennifer Russell, she notes that stopping ADHD medications during pregnancy can increase depression and feelings of loneliness. Furthermore, a loss of medication can affect the ability to perform jobs and drive safely, which are important aspects of a normal life for many people with ADHD.
She recommends women who are unsure about whether or not to stop medication in light of their pregnancy, consider the possibility of educating friends, family members, and coworkers on the condition, its effects on daily life, and the benefits of keeping the current treatment plan. It will also help a woman feel more confident in her decision. It is important to remember that some medications can pass through the placenta therefore, if a patient decides to stop taking her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware that traces of the drug can be transferred to the child.
Birth Defects and Risk of
As the use and misuse of add adhd medications medication to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases as does the concern about the potential adverse effects of the drugs on foetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge regarding this subject. Researchers used two huge data sets to examine over 4.3 million pregnancy and determine whether stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers discovered that although the risk overall is low, first-trimester ADHD exposure to medication was associated with slightly higher risk of specific heart defects like ventriculoseptal defect.
The researchers of the study found no connection between early medication use and other congenital anomalies, such as facial clefting or club foot. The findings are in line with previous studies revealing the presence of a small, but significant increase in the risk of cardiac malformations in women who started taking ADHD medications before the birth of their child. This risk increased in the later part of pregnancy, when a lot of women decide to stop taking their ADHD medication.
Women who took ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely require a caesarean birth or have an insufficient Apgar after delivery, and have a baby who needed breathing assistance when they were born. The authors of the study were not able to remove bias in selection since they limited their study to women who did not have any other medical conditions that could have contributed to the findings.
Researchers hope that their study will help doctors when they encounter pregnant women. They advise that while a discussion of risks and benefits is important, the decision to stop or continue treatment must be based on each woman's needs and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.
The authors caution that, even though stopping the medication is a possibility to consider, it is not recommended due to the high rate depression and mental health issues for women who are pregnant or recently gave birth. Further, the research suggests that women who decide to stop their medications are more likely to experience a difficult time getting used to life without them after the baby's arrival.
Nursing
The responsibilities that come with being a new mom can doctors prescribe adhd medication be overwhelming. Women who suffer from ADHD may face a lot of challenges when they must manage their symptoms, go to doctor appointments, prepare for the birth of their child and adjust to a new routine. Many women choose to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.
The majority of stimulant medications pass through breast milk in small quantities, so the risk remedies for adhd in adults - Jujuy explained in a blog post - nursing infant is very low. However, the amount of medication exposure to the infant can differ based on dosage, how often it is administered, and the time of the day the medication is administered. In addition, individual medications used for adhd enter the infant's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract as well as breast milk and the impact of this on a newborn is not well known.
Due to the absence of research, some physicians might be tempted to stop taking stimulant medications during a woman's pregnancy. This is a complicated decision for the patient, who must weigh the benefits of continuing her medication with the potential risks to the embryo. In the meantime, until more information is available, doctors can ask pregnant patients whether they have an background of ADHD or if they intend to take medication during the perinatal phase.
A increasing number of studies have shown that most women can safely continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. In response, an increasing number of patients are opting to do so. They have discovered, in consultation with their doctors, that the benefits of keeping their current medication outweigh risk.
Women who suffer from ADHD who are planning to breastfeed should seek the advice of a specialist psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their physician and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continuing treatment, including non-pharmacological management strategies. Psychoeducation should also be provided to help women with ADHD be aware of their symptoms and underlying disorder, learn about available treatment options and strengthen existing strategies for coping. This should include a multidisciplinary approach, which includes the GP as well as obstetricians, psychiatry and obstetricians. Pregnancy counselling should include the discussion of a treatment plan for both the mother as well as the child, and monitoring for signs of deterioration and the need for adjustments to the medication regimen.