Ten Apps To Help Control Your ADHD Medication Pregnancy

Ten Apps To Help Control Your ADHD Medication Pregnancy

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ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Women with ADHD must make a difficult decision on whether to keep or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There aren't enough data on how long-term exposure may affect the foetus.

A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that children exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy do not develop neurological problems such as hearing loss or vision, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that further high-quality research is needed.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Women who are expecting and taking ADHD medication must consider the benefits of taking it against the potential risks to the foetus. Physicians don't have the necessary data to give clear guidelines however they can provide information regarding the risks and benefits to assist pregnant women in making informed decisions.

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. Researchers conducted a large population-based study of case-control to determine the prevalence of major structural birth defects in babies born to mothers who had taken stimulants in the early stages of pregnancy, and those who did not. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts looked over the cases to make sure that the classification was accurate and to reduce any bias.

However, the researchers' study had its limitations. Researchers were unable, in the first place to distinguish the effects caused by the medication from the disorder. This limitation makes it difficult to know whether the small differences observed in the groups that were exposed are due to the use of medication or confounding by comorbidities. In addition the researchers did not look at the long-term outcomes of offspring.

The study revealed that infants whose mothers took ADHD medication during pregnancy were at a slightly higher risk of admission to the neonatal care unit (NICU) in comparison to those whose mothers didn't take any medication during pregnancy or stopped taking their medication before or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system-related disorders and the higher risk of admission was not found to be influenced by which stimulant medications were taken during pregnancy.

Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy were also at an increased chance of having a caesarean birth or having a baby born with low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases did not seem to be influenced by the type of medication that was used during pregnancy.

Researchers suggest that the small risks associated with the use ADHD medications during early pregnancies can be offset by greater benefits for mother and baby from continuing treatment for the woman’s disorder. Physicians should talk to their patients about this and try to help them develop coping skills that may reduce the impact of her disorder in her daily life and relationships.

Medication Interactions

As more women than ever are being diagnosed with ADHD and treated with medication, the issue of whether or not to end treatment during pregnancy is one that more and more physicians face. The majority of these decisions are taken in the absence of clear and authoritative evidence regardless, so doctors must weigh what they know about their experiences, the experiences of other doctors, and what research suggests on the subject as well as their own best judgment for each individual patient.

The issue of risk to the infant can be particularly tricky. Many studies on this subject are based on observational evidence rather than controlled research, and their findings are often contradictory. Most studies focus on live-births, which could underestimate the teratogenic impact which can cause abortions or terminations of pregnancy. The study presented in this journal club addresses these limitations by looking at data from both live and deceased births.

Conclusion Some studies have shown a positive correlation between ADHD medications and certain birth defects, other studies have not established a link. Most studies have shown a neutral, or even slightly negative, impact. As a result, a careful risk/benefit analysis must be done more info in each case.

It isn't easy, but not impossible for women suffering from ADHD to stop taking their medication. In a recent piece published in Archives of Women's Mental Health by psychologist Jennifer Russell, she notes that stopping ADHD medications during pregnancy can cause depression and feelings of loneliness. A decrease in medication could also impact the ability to safely drive and perform work-related tasks, which are essential aspects of everyday life for those suffering from ADHD.

She recommends women who are uncertain about whether to keep or stop taking medication because of their pregnancy consider the possibility of educating friends, family members and colleagues on the condition, its effects on daily life, and the advantages of continuing the current treatment plan. It can also help a woman feel more confident in her decision. Some medications can pass through the placenta. If a patient decides to not take her ADHD medication while pregnant and breastfeeding, it is important to be aware that the medication could be transferred to the baby.

Risk of Birth Defects

As the use and abuse of ADHD drugs to treat symptoms of attention deficit disorder hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), increases, so does concern about the possible effects of the drugs on fetuses. A study that was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the existing information on this topic. Researchers utilized two massive datasets to analyze over 4.3 million pregnant women and determine if stimulant medication use increased birth defects. Researchers discovered that although the risk overall is low, the first trimester ADHD medication use was associated with slightly higher rates of specific heart defects like ventriculoseptal defects.

The researchers of the study could not discover any link between the use of early medications and other congenital anomalies, like facial deformities or club feet. The results are in the same vein as previous studies which showed an insignificant, but small increase in the number of cardiac malformations among women who began taking ADHD medication before the time of pregnancy. The risk increased in the latter stages of pregnancy, when a lot of women decided to stop taking their medication.

Women who took ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely require a caesarean birth or have a low Apgar after delivery, and had a baby that required help breathing at birth. However, the authors of the study were unable to eliminate bias due to selection by restricting the study to women who did not have other medical issues that could have contributed to the findings.

The researchers hope their study will aid in the clinical decisions of doctors who see pregnant women. The researchers advise that, while discussing risks and benefits are important, the decision regarding whether or not to stop taking medication should be in light of the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and her requirements.

The authors also warn that while discontinuing the medications is an alternative, it is not an option to consider due to the high incidence of depression and other mental health problems for women who are expecting or postpartum. Additionally, research suggests that women who stop taking their medications will have a harder transitioning to life without them after the baby is born.

Nursing

It can be a challenge becoming a mother. Women with ADHD are often faced with a number of difficulties when they have to manage their symptoms, go to doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of a child and adjust to a new routine. Many women choose to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.

The risk to breastfeeding infant is not too high since the majority of stimulant medication passes through breast milk in low amounts. However, the amount of exposure to medication by the infant can differ based on the dosage, frequency it is administered and the time of the day it is administered. In addition, individual medications enter the baby's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract and breast milk, and the effect of this on a newborn is not yet fully understood.

Because of the lack of research, some doctors may recommend stopping stimulant medication during the course of pregnancy. This is a complicated decision for the patient, who must weigh the benefits of continuing her medication against the potential dangers to the foetus. In the meantime, until more information is available, GPs should ask all pregnant patients about their experience with ADHD and whether they are planning or taking to take medication during the perinatal time.

A growing number of studies have shown that most women can safely 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 found, in consultation with their doctors that the benefits of retaining their current medication far outweigh any possible risks.

Women who suffer from ADHD who are planning to breastfeed should seek advice from a specialist psychiatrist before becoming pregnant. They should review their medications with their prescriber and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continued treatment, including non-pharmacological management strategies. Psychoeducation is also necessary to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD understand the symptoms and the underlying disorder. They should also be informed about treatment options and reinforce the coping mechanisms. This should be an approach that is multidisciplinary, including the GP, obstetricians and psychiatry. Pregnancy counseling should include a discussion of a treatment plan for the mother as well as the child, monitoring of indicators of deterioration, and, if needed modifications to the medication regimen.