7 Little Changes That'll Make A Huge Difference In Your ADHD Medication Pregnancy
7 Little Changes That'll Make A Huge Difference In Your ADHD Medication Pregnancy
Blog Article
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women suffering from ADHD face a difficult decision regarding whether or not to stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Little data exists about how long-term exposure to these drugs can affect the fetus.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication during the uterus don't develop neurological developmental disorders such as hearing or vision impairment, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for higher-quality research.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are expecting and taking ADHD medication need to weigh the benefits of taking it versus the risks to the baby. Physicians don't have the necessary data to provide clear recommendations however they can provide information about risks and benefits that help pregnant women make informed choices.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who were taking ADHD medication during their early pregnancy did not have a higher risk of fetal malformations, or structural birth defects. Researchers used a vast population-based case-control study to determine the prevalence of major structural birth defects in infants born to mothers who had taken stimulants in early pregnancy, as well as those who had not. Clinical geneticists and pediatric cardiologists examined the cases to ensure correct case classification and to minimize the possibility of bias.
The research conducted by the researchers was not without limitations. Researchers were unable to, in the first place to distinguish the effects of the medication from the disorder. This makes it difficult for researchers to determine whether the few associations observed between the groups exposed were due to the use of medications or affected by comorbidities. In addition 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 medications during pregnancy were at a slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than those who whose mothers did not take any medication or taken off their medication prior to or during pregnancy. The reason for this was central nervous system-related disorders, and the increased risk of admission did not appear to be influenced by which stimulant medications were used during pregnancy.
Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy also had an elevated risk of having a caesarean section or having a baby with 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 the early stages of pregnancy may be offset by the higher benefit for both mother and child of continuing treatment for the woman's condition. Physicians should speak with their patients about this and, if possible, help them develop coping strategies that may reduce the impact of her disorder in her daily functioning and her relationships.
Medication Interactions
As more women than ever are diagnosed with ADHD and being treated with medication, the question of whether or not to end treatment during pregnancy is a question that doctors are having to face. These decisions are usually made without clear and reliable evidence. Instead, doctors have to take into account their own experience and experience, as well as the experiences of other doctors and the research on the subject.
In particular, the issue of possible risks to the baby can be a challenge. The research on this subject is based on observation rather than controlled studies, and a lot of the results are in conflict. The majority of studies limit their analysis to live-births, which could underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects which can cause terminations or abortions of pregnancy. The study that is discussed in the journal club addresses these issues by analyzing both information on deceased and live births.
Conclusion Some studies have found an association between ADHD medications and certain birth defects, other studies have not found a correlation. The majority of studies show that there is a neutral, or slight negative impact. In the end, a careful risk/benefit assessment is required in every situation.
For many women with ADHD, the decision to stop medication is difficult if not impossible. In an article recently published in the Archives of Women's Mental Health psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping ADHD medication during pregnancy can increase depression, feelings of isolation, and family conflict for these patients. Furthermore, a loss of medication can affect the ability to complete jobs and drive safely which are essential aspects of daily life for a lot of people with ADHD.
She recommends women who are uncertain about whether or not to stop medication in light of their pregnancy should consider the possibility of educating friends, family members and colleagues about the condition, its impact on daily life, and the advantages of continuing the current treatment regimen. It can also aid in ensuring that the woman feels supported in her struggle with her decision. Certain medications can be passed through the placenta. If a woman decides not to take her ADHD medication while breastfeeding, it is important to be aware that the medication could be passed on to her baby.
Risk of Birth Defects
As the use of ADHD medications to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) grows as do concerns about what impact the medications could have on foetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body knowledge on this subject. With two massive data sets researchers were able to analyze more than 4.3 million pregnancies to determine whether the use of stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. While the overall risk remains low, the scientists did find that first-trimester exposure to ADHD medicines was associated with an increase in the risk of specific heart defects, like ventriculo-septal defects (VSD).
The researchers of the study found no association between the use of early medications and other congenital abnormalities, like facial clefting, or club foot. The results are in agreement with previous studies that showed a small, but significant increase in cardiac malformations for women who began taking ADHD medication prior to the birth of their child. The risk increased in the latter stages of pregnancy, when a lot of women stopped taking their medication.
Women who used ADHD medications during the first trimester of their pregnancy were also more likely to have caesarean sections, a low Apgar score following delivery, and a baby that required breathing assistance at birth. read more However, the authors of the study were not able to eliminate selection bias by limiting the study to women who didn't have other medical issues that could be a contributing factor to these findings.
The researchers hope their research will help inform the clinical decisions of doctors who encounter pregnant women. They recommend that, while discussing the benefits and risks is important but the decision to stop or continue medication should be based on the woman's needs and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.
The authors also advise that, while stopping the medication is an option, it is not an option that is recommended due to the high prevalence of depression and other mental health issues among women who are pregnant or recently postpartum. Furthermore, research suggests that women who decide to stop taking their medications are more likely to experience a difficult time adapting to life without them after the birth of their baby.
Nursing
It can be a stressful experience to become a mother. Women with ADHD are often faced with a number of difficulties when they must manage their symptoms, go to doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of a baby and adjust to a new routine. Therefore, many women choose to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout pregnancy.
The risk to nursing infant is low because the majority of stimulant medication passes through breast milk in low amounts. The rate of medication exposure will vary based on the dosage the medication is administered, its frequency and the time of day. In addition, individual medications enter the infant's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract as well as breast milk. The impact of this on a newborn infant is not well known.
Some doctors may stop taking stimulant medication during a woman’s pregnancy due to the absence of research. It is a difficult decision for the mother, who must weigh the benefits of continuing her medication against the risk to the fetus. As long as there is no more information, doctors should ask all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and if they plan or are taking to take medication during the perinatal time.
A increasing number of studies have shown that most women can safely continue taking their ADHD medication while they are pregnant and nursing. This has led to an increasing number of patients are choosing to do so, and after consulting with their doctor, they have discovered that the benefits of maintaining their current medication outweigh any risks.
It is crucial for women suffering from ADHD who are contemplating breastfeeding to seek a specialist psychiatrist's advice prior becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their prescriber and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continued treatment, including non-pharmacological management strategies. Psychoeducation is also required to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD recognize the signs and the underlying disorder. They should also be informed about treatment options and strengthen strategies for coping. This should be a multidisciplinary approach including obstetricians, GPs and psychiatry. Pregnancy counselling should include the discussion of a treatment plan for both the mother as well as the child, monitoring for signs of deterioration and the need for adjustments to the medication regimen.