20 Quotes That Will Help You Understand ADHD Medication Pregnancy
20 Quotes That Will Help You Understand ADHD Medication Pregnancy
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ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The decision to stop or continue ADHD medications during pregnancy and nursing is challenging for women with the condition. There is a lack of information about how long-term exposure to these medications could affect the foetus.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in utero do not develop neurological disorders such as hearing loss or impaired vision, 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 benefits of taking them against potential risks to the fetus. Doctors don't have enough data to make unambiguous recommendations but they can provide information on risks and benefits to assist pregnant women to make informed choices.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who took ADHD medications during early pregnancy did not have an increased risk of fetal heart malformations or major structural birth defects. 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 had taken stimulants in early pregnancy, as well as those who had not. Pediatric cardiologists, clinical geneticists and other experts looked over the cases to confirm that the classification was correct and to eliminate any bias.
The study conducted by the researchers was not without its limitations. The researchers were not able, in the first place to differentiate the effects of the medication from the disorder. That limitation makes it difficult to determine whether the small associations observed in the exposed groups are due to medication use or comorbidities that cause confusion. Additionally the researchers did not look at the long-term effects of offspring on their parents.
The study did reveal that infants whose mothers took ADHD medication during pregnancy were at a slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than those whose mothers had not taken any medication or stopped their medications before or during pregnancy. This increase was due to central nervous system-related disorders and the increased risk for admission did not appear to be influenced by the stimulant medication was used during pregnancy.
Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy were also at an elevated chance of having a caesarean section or having a baby with low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases did appear to be unrelated to the type of medication used during pregnancy.
The researchers suggest that the small risk associated with the use of ADHD medications during the early stages of pregnancy may be offset by the higher benefit to both mother and child of continuing treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should discuss the issue with their patients and, if possible, 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
As more women than ever are diagnosed with ADHD and treated with medication, the dilemma of whether to keep or end treatment during pregnancy is a question that more and more doctors face. Most of the time, these decisions are made without clear and authoritative evidence either way, so physicians must weigh what they know from their own experiences, those of other doctors, and what research suggests on the subject as well as their best judgment for each patient.
The issue of possible risks to infants is particularly tricky. A lot of studies on this topic are based on observational data rather than controlled research, and their findings are often contradictory. The majority of studies restrict their analysis to live births, which can underestimate the teratogenic impact which can cause abortions or terminations of pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these issues by analyzing both data on live and deceased births.
Conclusion Some studies have shown a positive correlation between ADHD medications and certain birth defects However, other studies haven't shown such a relationship. Most studies show an unintended, or somewhat negative, effect. In every case, a careful analysis of the potential risks and benefits should be conducted.
For a lot of women with ADHD and ADD, the decision to stop taking medication is difficult, if not impossible. In a recent piece published in the Archives of Women's Mental Health by psychologist Jennifer Russell, she notes that stopping ADHD medications during pregnancy can cause depression and feelings of isolation. In addition, a decrease in medication may affect the ability to complete job-related tasks and drive safely, which are important aspects of a normal life for many people with ADHD.
She recommends women who are uncertain about whether or not to stop medication in light of their pregnancy, consider the possibility of educating friends, family members and colleagues on the condition, its impact on daily functioning, and the advantages of continuing the current treatment regimen. It can also help the woman feel supported as she struggles with her decision. Certain medications can pass through the placenta. If a woman decides to not take her ADHD medication while breastfeeding, it is important to be aware that the medication may be transferred to her infant.
Birth Defects and Risk of
As the use of ADHD medication to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) grows as do concerns about what impact the drugs could have on fetuses. A study that was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the body of knowledge about this subject. Researchers used two massive data sets to examine more than 4.3 million pregnant women and determine if the use of stimulant medications caused birth defects. Researchers click here discovered that, while the overall risk is low, the first trimester ADHD medication exposure was associated with slightly higher rates of certain heart defects, like ventriculoseptal defects.
The authors of the study didn't 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 the existence of a slight, but significant increase in the number of cardiac malformations among women who began taking ADHD medication prior to the birth of their child. The risk increased in the latter part of pregnancy, when a lot of women began to stop taking their medication.
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 when they were born. However the authors of the study were not able to eliminate bias due to selection by restricting the study to women who didn't have any other medical issues that could be a contributing factor to these findings.
The researchers hope their study will aid in the clinical decisions of physicians who treat pregnant women. They suggest that although the discussion of the benefits and risks is important, the decision to stop or keep medication should be based on each woman's requirements and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.
The authors also warn that while discontinuing the medications is an option, it is not a recommended practice because of the high incidence of depression and other mental health problems for women who are expecting or post-partum. Further, research shows that women who stop taking their medications will have a difficult time adjusting to a life without them after the baby is born.
Nursing
It can be a challenge to become a mom. Women who suffer from ADHD are often faced with a number of difficulties when they must deal with their symptoms, go to doctor appointments, prepare for the birth of a child and adjust to new routines. This is why many women choose to continue taking their ADHD medication throughout the pregnancy.
The risk to a breastfeeding infant is minimal because the majority of stimulant medication is absorbed through breast milk in low amounts. The amount of exposure to medications will differ based on dosage the medication is administered, its frequency and time of day. Additionally, different medications enter the body of the baby differently through the gastrointestinal tract and breast milk and the impact of this on a newborn infant is not fully known.
Due to the absence of research, some physicians may be inclined to discontinue stimulant medications during a woman's pregnancy. It is a difficult decision for the woman who must weigh the benefits of her medication against the risk to the embryo. Until more information is available, GPs should ask all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and whether they plan or are taking to take medication during the perinatal time.
Many studies have shown that women can continue taking their ADHD medication safely during pregnancy and breast-feeding. In response, a rising number of patients are choosing to continue their medication. They have discovered, in consultation with their physicians, that the benefits of retaining their current medication outweigh possible risks.
Women with ADHD who are planning to breastfeed should seek the advice of an expert psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their prescriber and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continued treatment, including non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also required to help pregnant women with ADHD recognize the signs and underlying disorder. They should also learn about treatment options and build coping mechanisms. This should involve an approach that is multidisciplinary, including the GP, obstetricians and psychiatry. The pregnancy counselling should consist of discussion of a management plan for both the mother and child, monitoring for signs of deterioration and the need for adjustments to the medication regimen.