15 ADHD Medication Pregnancy Bloggers You Must Follow
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The decision to stop or continue ADHD medication during breastfeeding and pregnancy is challenging for women with the condition. There aren't many studies on how does medication for adhd work long-term exposure may affect a pregnant fetus.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that children exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy do not develop neurological problems such as impaired hearing or vision, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for more high-quality research.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Pregnant women who take ADHD medications must weigh the benefits of taking them against the potential risks to the fetus. Doctors don't have the data needed to make unequivocal recommendations however they can provide information about benefits and risks that can help pregnant women make informed choices.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who took ADHD medications during their early pregnancy did not have an higher risk of fetal cardiac malformations or major birth defects that are structural. The researchers used a large 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 had not. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts looked over the cases to make sure that the classification was correct and to eliminate any bias.
However, the study had its limitations. The most important issue was that they were not able to differentiate the effects of the medication from the effects of the disorder at hand. This limitation makes it difficult for researchers to determine if the small associations observed among the exposed groups were due to the use of medications, or if they were confounded by the presence of comorbidities. Additionally, the researchers did not study the long-term outcomes of offspring.
The study showed that infants whose mothers took ADHD medication during pregnancy had a slightly higher chance of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU) in comparison to mothers who didn't take any medication during pregnancy or quit taking the 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 used during pregnancy.
Women who took stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher chance of having to have an emergency caesarean section or having the baby was not scoring well on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases didn't appear how to get adhd meds without diagnosis be influenced by the type of medication that was used during pregnancy.
Researchers suggest that the minor risks associated with the use ADHD medications during early pregnancies could be offset by the greater benefits to both mother and baby of continuing treatment for the woman's disorder. Doctors should discuss with their patients about this and try to help them develop coping skills 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 maintain treatment or stop as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. Most of the time, these decisions are made without clear and authoritative evidence either way, so physicians have to weigh their experience from their own experiences, those of other doctors, and what research says on the topic and their own judgments for each patient.
The issue of risk to the infant can be extremely difficult. A lot of studies on this issue are based on observational evidence instead of controlled research and their conclusions are often contradictory. In addition, most studies limit their analysis to live births, which may underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects that could result in abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study presented in this journal club addresses these limitations by looking at data from both live and deceased births.
Conclusion: While some studies have shown a positive correlation between ADHD medications and certain birth defects, other studies have not shown such a relationship. The majority of studies show an unintended, or slightly negative, impact. In the end an accurate risk-benefit analysis is required in every case.
For women suffering from ADHD and ADD, the decision to stop medication is difficult if not impossible. In fact, in a recent article in the Archives of Women's Mental Health psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping ADHD medication during pregnancy can increase depression, feelings of loneliness and family conflict for patients with ADHD. Additionally, the loss of medication can interfere with the ability to complete jobs and drive safely that are crucial aspects of a normal life for many people suffering from ADHD.
She recommends that women who are unsure about whether to continue or discontinue medication due to their pregnancy consider the possibility of educating friends, family members and colleagues about the condition, its impact on daily life, and the benefits of keeping the current treatment regimen. Educating them can also help the woman feel supported when she is struggling with her decision. It is also worth noting that some drugs can 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 medication could be transferred to the child.
Risk of Birth Defects
As the use of ADHD medication to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases there are concerns over the impact that these drugs might have on fetuses. A study that was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the body of information on this topic. Utilizing two huge data sets, researchers were able to examine more than 4.3 million pregnancies to determine whether stimulant medication use increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers found that while the overall risk is low, the first trimester ADHD medication use was associated with slightly higher risk of certain heart defects, like ventriculoseptal defects.
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 which showed an insignificant, but small increase in cardiac malformations for women who began taking ADHD medication prior to the time of the birth of their child. The risk was higher during the latter part of pregnancy, as many women begin to discontinue their ADHD medications.
Women who were taking ADHD medication during the first trimester were more likely require a caesarean birth, have a low Apgar after delivery, and have a baby who needed breathing assistance after birth. The researchers of the study were not able to eliminate bias due to selection because they restricted the study to women who did not have any other medical conditions that might have contributed to the findings.
The researchers hope their research will help inform the clinical decisions of physicians who encounter pregnant women. The researchers advise that while discussing the risks and benefits are crucial, the decision regarding whether or not to stop medication should be in light of the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and the needs of the woman.
The authors also advise that, while stopping the medication is an option, it isn't an option that is recommended due to the high prevalence of depression and other mental health issues in women who are pregnant or postpartum. Furthermore, research suggests that women who choose to stop taking their medications are more likely to have difficulties getting used to life without them after the birth of their baby.
Nursing
It can be a stressful experience to become a mom. Women with private Adhd assessment medway 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 a new routine. Many women opt to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.
The risk to a breastfeeding infant is minimal because the majority of stimulant medication passes through breast milk in low amounts. The rate of exposure to medication can vary depending upon the dosage and frequency of administration as well as time of day. In addition, individual medications enter the baby's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract as well as breast milk, and the effect of this on a newborn isn't well understood.
Due to the absence of research, some doctors may recommend stopping stimulant medication during the pregnancy of a woman. It's a difficult choice for the woman, who must weigh the benefits of taking her medication as well as the risks to the foetus. Until more information becomes available, GPs may ask pregnant patients whether they have any history of ADHD or if they plan to take medication during the perinatal phase.
A growing number of studies have proven that women can continue their ADHD medication while they are pregnant and nursing. In response, an increasing number of patients are choosing to continue their medication. They have discovered after consulting with their doctor that the benefits of retaining their current medication far outweigh any risk.
It's important for women with ADHD who are considering breastfeeding to seek a specialist psychiatrist's guidance prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their doctor and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continuing treatment, including non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also necessary to help pregnant women with adhd medication online uk be aware of the symptoms and underlying disorder. They should also be informed about treatment options and strengthen coping mechanisms. This should involve a multidisciplinary approach with the GP as well as obstetricians, psychiatry and obstetricians. The pregnancy counselling should consist of the discussion of a treatment plan for both the mother and child, and monitoring for signs of deterioration and when necessary, making adjustments to the medication regimen.
