15 Top ADHD Medication Pregnancy Bloggers You Must Follow
15 Top ADHD Medication Pregnancy Bloggers You Must Follow
Blog Article
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The decision to stop or keep ADHD medications during pregnancy and nursing is a difficult decision for women suffering from the condition. There aren't many studies on how exposure to ADHD for a long time could affect a foetus.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication during the uterus do not develop neurological conditions like impaired vision or hearing seizures, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high-quality studies are needed.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Pregnant women who take ADHD medications need to balance the advantages of using them against the risks to the foetus. Physicians do not have the data needed to provide clear recommendations, but they can provide information on risks and benefits that assist pregnant women in making informed decisions.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who were taking ADHD medication during early pregnancy did not have a greater risk of fetal malformations, or structural birth defects. The researchers used a large, population-based case-control study to determine the prevalence of major structural birth defects in babies born to mothers who had taken stimulants during the early stages of pregnancy, and those who did not. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts reviewed the cases in order to confirm that the classification was accurate and to reduce any bias.
The study of the researchers had some limitations. The most important issue was that they were not able to differentiate the effects of the medication from those of the disorder at hand. This makes it difficult for researchers to determine if the small differences observed between the exposed groups were due to medication use or confounded by the presence of comorbidities. In addition the study did not examine the long-term outcomes of offspring.
The study found that babies whose mothers took ADHD medication during pregnancy were at a slightly higher risk of admission to the neonatal care unit (NICU) as compared to those whose mothers did not use any medication during pregnancy or had discontinued taking their medication prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system disorders. The higher risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medication used during pregnancy.
Women who took stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy were also at an increased risk of having a caesarean section or having a child with low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases did not seem 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 may be offset by the greater benefits for both mother and child of continued treatment for the woman's disorder. Doctors should discuss with their patients about this and, if possible, help them develop coping strategies that can lessen the impact of her disorder in her daily life and relationships.
Interactions with Medication
More and more doctors are confronted with the dilemma of whether to continue treatment or stop during pregnancy as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. Most of the time, these decisions are taken in the absence of solid and reliable evidence in either case, which means that doctors must weigh their knowledge about their experiences, the experiences of other doctors, and what research suggests on the subject, along with their best judgment for each individual patient.
In particular, the issue of potential risks to the baby can be a challenge. The research on this issue is based on observations rather than controlled studies, and the results are conflicting. In addition, most studies limit their analysis to live births, which could underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects that could result in abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study discussed in this journal club addresses these limitations by looking at data from both live and deceased births.
Conclusion: While some studies have revealed an association between ADHD medications and certain birth defects however, other studies haven't found a correlation. Most studies show a neutral, or even slight negative impact. In each case it is imperative to conduct a thorough study of the risks and benefits is required.
It isn't easy, but not impossible for women suffering from ADHD to stop taking their medication. In fact, in an article recently published in Archives of Women's Mental Health, psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping ADHD medication during pregnancy can cause depression, feelings of isolation, and family conflict for these patients. A decrease in medication could also impact the ability to safely drive and perform work-related tasks, which are vital aspects of daily life for people with ADHD.
She suggests that women who are not sure whether to take the medication or stop it due to their pregnancy, educate their family members, coworkers, and their friends about the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and the benefits of continuing the current treatment. It can also make the woman feel more comfortable when she is struggling with her decision. It is important to remember that certain medications are able to pass through the placenta so if a woman decides to stop her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware that traces of the drug can be passed on to the baby.
Risk of Birth Defects
As the use of ADHD drugs to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) grows there are 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 knowledge about this subject. Researchers used two massive data sets to study over 4.3 million pregnancies and determine if stimulant medication use increased the risk of birth defects. While the overall risk is low, the researchers did find that first-trimester exposure to ADHD medications was linked to a slightly higher rate of certain heart defects, like ventriculo-septal defects (VSD).
The authors of the study found no connection between the use of early medications and congenital abnormalities such as facial clefting or club foot. The results are in agreement with previous studies which showed the existence of a slight, but significant increase in the number of cardiac malformations among women who started taking ADHD medication before the time of pregnancy. The risk was higher in the later part of pregnancy, when many women decide to stop taking their ADHD medications.
Women who were taking ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely to require a caesarean delivery and also have a low Apgar after delivery and had a baby that required help breathing after birth. However the researchers of the study were unable to eliminate selection bias by restricting the study to women who didn't have any other medical issues that could have contributed to the findings.
The researchers hope their study will aid in the clinical decisions of doctors who encounter pregnant women. They suggest that although the discussion of risks and benefits is important but the decision to stop or continue medication should be based on each woman's requirements and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.
The authors warn that, even though stopping the medication is an option to consider, it is not advised because of the high incidence of depression and other mental disorders among women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth. Further, research shows that women who stop taking their medication will have a harder transitioning to life without them after the baby is born.
Nursing
The responsibilities of being a new mom can be overwhelming. Women who suffer from ADHD may face a lot of challenges when they must deal with their symptoms, attend doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of a baby and adjust to a new routine. This is why many women decide to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout pregnancy.
The risk to breastfeeding infant is minimal because the majority of stimulant medications passes through breast milk at low levels. The amount of exposure to medications will vary based on the dosage, frequency of administration and time of day. Additionally, different medications enter the infant's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract and breast milk. The impact of this on a newborn is not fully known.
Because of the lack of evidence, some doctors may be inclined to discontinue stimulant medications during the pregnancy of a woman. It's a difficult choice for the mother, who must weigh the advantages of her medication against the risks to the fetus. As long as more information is available, doctors may inquire about pregnant patients read more whether they have a history of ADHD or if they intend to take medication in the perinatal phase.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that women can continue to take their ADHD medication in a safe manner during pregnancy and breast-feeding. In response, a growing number of patients are choosing to continue their medication. They have concluded through consultation with their doctor that the benefits of continuing their current medication outweigh any risk.
It's important for women with ADHD who are contemplating breastfeeding to seek out a specialist psychiatrist's advice prior 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 should also be offered to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD be aware of their symptoms and underlying disorder Learn about the available treatments and to reinforce existing coping strategies. This should include a multidisciplinary approach with the GP, obstetricians and psychiatry. Pregnancy counseling should include discussion of a treatment plan for the mother and child, monitoring of signs of deterioration, and, if needed, adjustments to the medication regimen.