7 Little Changes That Will Make An Enormous Difference To Your ADHD Medication Pregnancy
7 Little Changes That Will Make An Enormous Difference To Your ADHD Medication Pregnancy
Blog Article
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women with ADHD face a difficult decision regarding whether or not to stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Little data exists about how long-term exposure to these medications can affect the fetus.
A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication during utero do not develop neurological conditions like hearing loss or impaired vision seizures, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for more high-quality studies.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are pregnant and take ADHD medication need to weigh the benefits of taking it versus the dangers for the foetus. Doctors don't have the information needed to make unequivocal recommendations but they can provide information about the risks and benefits to 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 face an higher risk of fetal cardiac malformations or major structural birth defects. Researchers used a vast, population-based case-control study to assess the risk of major structural birth defects in infants born to mothers who had taken stimulants during the early stages of pregnancy, as well as those who had not. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts reviewed the cases in order to make sure that the classification was correct and to minimize any bias.
However, the study had its limitations. Researchers were unable, in the first place to distinguish the effects triggered by the medication from the disorder. This makes it difficult for researchers to establish whether the small associations observed among the groups exposed were due to the use of medication, or if they were confounded by comorbidities. Additionally the researchers did not examine long-term offspring outcomes.
The study did find that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy were at a slightly higher risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants who whose mothers did not take any medication or had taken off their medication prior to or during pregnancy. This increase was caused by central nervous system disorders. The higher risk of admission was not influenced by the stimulant medication used during pregnancy.
Women who took stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy also had an increased risk of having a caesarean delivery or having a child with an low Apgar score (less than 7). These risks did not seem to be influenced by the type of medication that was used during pregnancy.
The researchers suggest that the small risk associated with the use of ADHD medications during the early stages of pregnancy could be offset by the higher benefit to both mother and child of continued treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should discuss the issue with their patients and, where possible, assist them in developing strategies to improve their coping abilities that may minimize the impact of her disorder on her daily life and relationships.
Medication Interactions
More and more doctors are confronted with the dilemma of whether to continue treatment or stop it during pregnancy as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. Most of the time, these decisions are taken in the absence of clear and authoritative evidence in either case, which means that doctors have to weigh their experience from their own experiences, those of other doctors, and what the research suggests about the subject and their own judgments for each patient.
The issue of potential risks to infants is extremely difficult. The research on this subject is based on observation instead of controlled studies and many of the findings are in conflict. The majority of studies focus on live births, which may underestimate the teratogenic impact that can lead to terminations or abortions of pregnancy. The study presented in this journal club addresses these limitations by analyzing data on live and deceased births.
The conclusion The conclusion: While certain studies have demonstrated that there is a positive correlation between ADHD medications and the possibility of certain birth defects, others have found no connection, and most studies show a neutral or even slight negative effect. As a result an accurate risk-benefit analysis must be conducted in every instance.
It can be challenging, if not impossible, for women suffering from ADHD to stop taking their medication. In an article published in Archives of Women's Mental Health psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping ADHD medication during pregnancy can cause depression, feelings of loneliness, and family conflict for patients with ADHD. Additionally, the loss of medication may affect the ability to perform work-related tasks and safely drive, which are important aspects of a normal life for a lot of people with ADHD.
She suggests that women who aren't sure whether to continue taking the medication or stop it due to their pregnancy should educate family members, coworkers and acquaintances about the condition, the effects on daily functioning, and the benefits of continuing the current treatment plan. In addition, educating them can aid in ensuring that the woman feels supported when she is struggling with her decision. It is also worth noting that certain drugs can pass through the placenta, so if a woman decides to stop taking 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 medications to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases there are concerns over the impact that these drugs could have on foetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge on this topic. Researchers used two massive data sets to study over 4.3 million pregnant women and determine if stimulant medication use caused birth defects. Researchers discovered that although the overall risk is low, the first trimester ADHD medication exposure was associated with slightly higher risk of specific heart defects like ventriculoseptal defects.
The researchers of the study found no connection between early medication use and other congenital abnormalities, like facial clefting, or club foot. The findings are in line with previous studies showing an increase, but not significant, in the risk of cardiac malformations among women who began taking ADHD medications prior to the time of the time of pregnancy. The risk increased in the latter stages of pregnancy when many 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, have an insufficient Apgar after birth 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.
Researchers hope their research will help doctors when they meet pregnant women. They advise that while discussing the benefits and risks is important, the decision to stop or maintain treatment must be based on each woman's needs and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.
The authors caution that, although stopping the medication is a possibility to look into, it is not advised because of the high incidence of depression and other mental disorders in women who are expecting or recently gave birth. Additionally, research suggests that women who stop taking their medication will have a harder adjustment to life without them once the baby is born.
Nursing
The responsibilities that come with being a new mom can be overwhelming. Women who suffer from ADHD are often faced with a number of difficulties when they have to manage their symptoms, go to doctor appointments, prepare for the birth of a baby and adjust to new routines. As such, many women choose to continue taking their ADHD medication throughout the pregnancy.
The majority of stimulant medications are absorbed by breast milk in very small quantities, so the risk to infant who is breastfeeding is low. However, the rate of medication exposure to the newborn can vary depending on dosage, frequency it is taken and the time of day the medication is administered. In addition, individual medications enter the body of the baby differently through the gastrointestinal tract as well as breast milk, and the effect of this on a newborn isn't yet fully known.
Because of the lack of evidence, some doctors may recommend stopping stimulant medication during the pregnancy of a woman. It is a difficult decision for the mother, who must weigh the benefits of continuing her medication against the risk to the embryo. In the meantime, until more information is available, GPs may inquire about pregnant patients whether they have an history of ADHD or if they plan to take medication during the perinatal period.
A growing number of studies have revealed that women can continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This has led to more and more patients opt to do this and after consulting with their doctor, they have discovered that the benefits of maintaining their current medication outweigh any risks.
Women who suffer from ADHD who are planning to breastfeed should seek advice from an expert psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their physician and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continuing treatment, including non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also required to help pregnant women with ADHD recognize the signs and underlying disorder. They should also be informed about treatment options and reinforce strategies for coping. This should be a multidisciplinary approach with the GPs, obstetricians, and psychiatry. Counselling for pregnancy 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 get more info for adjustments to the medication regimen.