15 Of The Most Popular ADHD Medication Pregnancy Bloggers You Must Follow
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The decision to stop or keep ADHD medications during breastfeeding and pregnancy is challenging for women with the condition. There aren't enough data regarding how exposure over time may affect a foetus.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in the uterus do not develop neurological developmental conditions like hearing loss or impaired vision seizures, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for higher-quality studies.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are pregnant and take ADHD medication must weigh the benefits of taking it versus the risks for the baby. Doctors don't have the data needed to make unequivocal recommendations however they can provide information regarding the risks and benefits to help pregnant women make informed decisions.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who took ADHD medications during their early pregnancy did not have a significantly increased risk of fetal cardiac malformations or major structural birth defects. Researchers conducted a large, population-based case-control study to assess the risk of major structural birth defects in babies born to mothers who had taken stimulants during early pregnancy, as well as those who had not. Clinical geneticists and pediatric cardiologists examined the cases to ensure accurate case classification and to minimize the chance of bias.
However, the researchers' study had its limitations. The researchers were not able, in the first place to differentiate the effects triggered by the medication from the disorder. This makes it difficult for researchers to determine whether the small associations observed among the groups that were exposed to medication use or if they were affected by the presence of comorbidities. In addition the study did not study long-term offspring outcomes.
The study did reveal that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy were at slightly higher risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than those who were born without any medication or had cut back on their medications prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system-related disorders and the higher risk of admission was not found to be affected by the type of stimulant medications were used during pregnancy.
Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher chance of having an emergency caesarean section or having a baby that scored low on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases appeared to be unrelated to the type of medication used during pregnancy.
Researchers suggest that the minor risk of using ADHD medications during early pregnancies could be offset by the more beneficial outcomes for both mother and baby from continuing treatment for the woman's condition. Doctors should discuss with their patients about this issue and try to help them develop coping strategies that could reduce the impact of her disorder in her daily functioning and her relationships.
Medication Interactions
Many doctors are confronted with the dilemma of whether to continue treatment or stop during pregnancy as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. Often, these decisions are made without any evidence that is clear and definitive regardless, so doctors must weigh their knowledge from their own experiences, those of other doctors, and what research says on the topic, along with their best judgment for each individual patient.
The issue of risk for infants can be extremely difficult. The research on this subject is based on observation rather than controlled studies and a lot of the results are in conflict. most popular adhd medication (http://bbs.nhcsw.com) studies restrict their analysis to live-births, which adhd medication is the best could underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects that can lead to terminations or abortions of pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these limitations, by examining both information on deceased and live births.
Conclusion Some studies have found an association between adhd medication cost uk medications and certain birth defects However, other studies haven't established a link. Most studies show a neutral, or even slightly negative, effect. In every case an in-depth study of the benefits and risks is required.
For women suffering from ADHD who suffer from ADHD, the decision to discontinue medication is difficult if not impossible. In a recent article published in the Archives of Women's Mental Health by psychologist Jennifer Russell, she notes that stopping ADHD medications during pregnancy can lead to depression and feelings of loneliness. Furthermore, a loss of medication can affect the ability to do work-related tasks and safely drive that are crucial aspects of a normal life for many people suffering from ADHD.
She suggests that women who aren't sure whether to take the medication or stop due to pregnancy, educate their family members, coworkers, and friends about the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and the benefits of continuing the current treatment. In addition, educating them can help the woman feel supported as she struggles with her decision. It is important to remember that some drugs can pass through the placenta so if a woman decides to stop her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she should be aware of the possibility that traces of the drug can be transferred to the infant.
Risk of Birth Defects
As the use and misuse of ADHD medication to treat symptoms of attention deficit disorder hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases the concern over the potential effects of these drugs on the fetuses. A study that was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the existing knowledge on this subject. With two massive data sets researchers were able to analyze more than 4.3 million pregnancies and see whether stimulant medication use increased the risk of birth defects. While the overall risk remains low, the researchers found that exposure in the first trimester to ADHD medications was associated with an increase in the risk of certain heart defects, such as ventriculo-septal defect (VSD).
The authors of the study found no link between the use of early medications and other congenital abnormalities, like facial clefting, or club foot. The results are consistent with previous studies revealing an increase, but not significant, in the risk of developing cardiac malformations among women who began taking ADHD medications prior to the time of the birth of their child. The risk increased in the latter stages of pregnancy when many women stopped taking their medication.
Women who were taking natural adhd medication medication during the first trimester were more likely to require a caesarean birth, have a low Apgar after delivery, and have a baby that needed help breathing when they were born. However the researchers of the study were unable to eliminate selection bias by restricting the study to women who didn't have any other medical conditions that could be a contributing factor to these findings.
Researchers hope that their study will help doctors when they see pregnant women. The researchers recommend that, while discussing risks and benefits are important, the choice on whether to continue or stop taking medication should be in light of the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and her requirements.
The authors also advise that even though stopping the medication is an option, it is not an option to consider due to the high rate of depression and other mental health problems in women who are pregnant or recently post-partum. Additionally, the research suggests that women who decide to stop their medications are more likely to have difficulties adapting to life without them following the baby's arrival.
Nursing
The responsibilities of being a new mother can be overwhelming. Women with ADHD who have to deal with their symptoms while attending physician appointments as well as preparing for the arrival of a baby and adapting to new adhd medication uk routines in the home are often faced with a number of difficulties. Many women choose to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.
The majority of stimulant drugs pass through breast milk in very small amounts, therefore the risk to infant who is breastfeeding is low. However, the frequency of exposure to medication by the newborn can vary depending on dosage, how often it is taken and the time of day it is administered. In addition, various medications are introduced into the baby's system via the gastrointestinal tract, or through breast milk. The impact of these medications on the health of a newborn isn't completely understood.
Because of the lack of research, some doctors might be tempted to stop taking stimulant medication during the course of pregnancy. This is a difficult decision for the mother, who must weigh the benefits of taking her medication as well as the risk to the embryo. In the meantime, until more information is available, GPs can inquire about pregnant patients whether they have any background of ADHD or if they intend to take medication in the perinatal stage.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that women can continue to take their ADHD medication safely while breastfeeding and during pregnancy. In response, a rising number of patients are opting to do this. They have discovered, in consultation with their doctors, that the benefits of keeping their current medication for adhd and depression outweigh risk.
Women with ADHD who are planning to breastfeed should seek advice from a specialist psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their prescriber, and the pros and cons of continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological methods. Psychoeducation is also needed to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD understand the symptoms and the underlying disorder. They should also learn about treatment options and build strategies for coping. This should be a multidisciplinary approach including obstetricians, GPs, and psychiatry. Pregnancy counseling should consist of a discussion of a treatment plan for the mother as well as the child, as well as monitoring for indicators of deterioration, and, if necessary modifications to the medication regime.