15 Of The Most Popular ADHD Medication Pregnancy Bloggers You Should Follow
ADHD best medication for ocd and adhd During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women with ADHD face a difficult decision on whether to keep or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breast-feeding. There is a lack of information about how long-term exposure to these drugs could affect the foetus.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that children exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy do not develop neurological issues like hearing loss or vision, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high quality research is needed.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Pregnant women who use ADHD medications must weigh the benefits of taking them against the potential risks to the foetus. Physicians don't have the information needed to give clear guidelines however they can provide information regarding risks and benefits that assist pregnant women in making informed choices.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who took ADHD medication during early pregnancy were not at a higher risk of fetal malformations, or structural birth defects. Researchers used a vast population-based study of case-control to assess the risk of major structural birth defects in babies born to mothers who took stimulants during early pregnancy, and those who did not. Pediatric cardiologists, clinical geneticists and other experts examined the cases to confirm that the classification was correct and to reduce any bias.
However, the study had its limitations. The Most Popular Adhd Medication important issue was that they were not able to differentiate the effects of the medication from the effects of the disorder that is underlying. This makes it difficult to determine whether the small differences observed in the exposed groups result from medication use or comorbidities that cause confusion. Researchers also did not look at the long-term effects for the offspring.
The study did reveal that infants whose mothers took ADHD medications during pregnancy were at slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than those who were born without any medication or had taken off their medication prior to or during pregnancy. The reason for this was central nervous system disorders, and the increased risk of admission was not found to be influenced by the stimulant medications were used during pregnancy.
Women who used stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy were also at an increased chance of having a caesarean birth or having a child with low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases didn't appear to be influenced by the kind of medication used during pregnancy.
The research suggests that the risk of a small amount with the use of ADHD medications during early pregnancy could be offset by the greater benefit to both the mother and child of continuing treatment for the woman's disorder. Doctors should discuss with their patients about this and try to help them improve coping skills which may reduce the impact of her disorder in her daily life and relationships.
Medication Interactions
More and more doctors are confronted with the dilemma of whether to maintain treatment or stop during pregnancy as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. These decisions are frequently made without clear and reliable evidence. Instead, doctors have to consider their own expertise, the experience of other physicians and the research that has been conducted on the subject.
Particularly, the issue of possible risks to the baby can be a challenge. Many studies on this topic are based on observations rather than controlled research, and their findings are often contradictory. Most studies limit their analysis to live births, which may underestimate the teratogenic impact leading to abortions or terminations of pregnancy. The study that is discussed in the journal club addresses these shortcomings by analyzing both the data from deceased and live births.
The conclusion is that while some studies have shown an association between ADHD medications and the possibility of certain birth defects, other studies have found no connection and the majority of studies demonstrate a neutral or slightly negative impact. In the end, a careful risk/benefit analysis must be conducted in every situation.
It can be difficult, if not impossible for women suffering from ADHD to stop taking their medication. In fact, in an article recently 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 patients with ADHD. A loss of medication may affect the ability to safely drive and complete work-related tasks, which are crucial aspects of everyday life for those with ADHD.
She suggests that women who are not sure whether to continue taking medication or discontinue it due to pregnancy, educate their family members, colleagues, and their friends about the condition, its impact on daily functioning and the benefits of keeping the current treatment regimen. In addition, educating them can help the woman feel supported when she is struggling with her decision. It is also worth noting that some medications are able to pass through the placenta therefore, if a patient decides to stop her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware that traces of the drug could be passed on to the baby.
Birth Defects and Risk of
As the use of adhd medication adults uk medication to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases, so do concerns about the effects that the medications could have on foetuses. A recent study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the body of information on this topic. Researchers utilized two massive datasets to analyze more than 4.3 million pregnancies and determine if the use of stimulant medications increased birth defects. Researchers discovered that, while the risk overall is low, first-trimester ADHD medication exposure was associated with slightly higher risk of specific heart defects like ventriculoseptal defect.
The researchers of the study could not find any association between early use of medication and congenital anomalies like facial deformities or club feet. The findings are in line with previous studies showing an increase, but not significant, in the risk of cardiac malformations in women who started taking best adhd medication for women medications prior to the time of the time of pregnancy. The risk increased in the latter half of pregnancy when many women began to stop taking their medication.
Women who took ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely require a caesarean delivery or have an insufficient Apgar after delivery and have a baby who needed breathing assistance when they were born. However the authors of the study were unable to eliminate bias due to selection by limiting the study to women who didn't have any other medical conditions that could have contributed to these findings.
Researchers hope their research will inform physicians when they see pregnant women. They suggest that although a discussion of risks and benefits is important however, the decision to stop or keep treatment should be based on the woman's requirements and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.
The authors caution that, even though stopping the medication is a possibility to look into, it is not recommended because of the high incidence of depression and mental health issues for women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth. Further, the research suggests that women who decide to stop taking their medication are more likely to have a difficult time adapting to life without them after the birth of their baby.
Nursing
The responsibilities that come with being a new mother can be overwhelming. Women suffering from ADHD are often faced with a number of difficulties when they must deal with their symptoms, attend doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of a child and adjust to new routines. This is why many women elect to continue taking their ADHD medication throughout the pregnancy.
The majority of stimulant drugs are absorbed through breast milk in very small quantities, so the risk to infant who is breastfeeding is low. However, the frequency of exposure to medication by the newborn may differ based on dosage, frequency it is taken and the time of day it is administered. Additionally, individual medications enter the infant's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract and breast milk, and the effect of this on a newborn isn't fully known.
Some doctors may stop taking stimulant medications during a woman's pregnancy due to the lack of research. This is a difficult choice for the patient, who must balance the benefits of keeping her medication against the possible dangers to the fetus. In the meantime, until more information is available, doctors should inquire with all pregnant patients about their experience with ADHD and if they plan or are taking to take medication during the perinatal period.
Many studies have shown that women can continue to take their ADHD medication safely while breastfeeding and during pregnancy. In response, an increasing number of patients are choosing to do so. They have concluded after consulting with their doctors that the benefits of continuing their current medication outweigh any possible risks.
Women with ADHD who plan to breastfeed should seek the advice of a specialist psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should review their medications with their doctor and discuss the pros and cons of continued treatment, including non-pharmacological management strategies. Psychoeducation is also required to help pregnant people with ADHD understand their symptoms and underlying disorder and learn about treatment options and reinforce existing coping strategies. This should be a multidisciplinary process with the GPs, obstetricians and psychiatrists. Pregnancy counselling should include the discussion of a plan for management for both the mother as well as the child, monitoring for signs of deterioration, and when necessary, making adjustments to the medication regimen.