14 Creative Ways To Spend The Remaining ADHD Medication Pregnancy Budget
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The choice of whether to stop or continue ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding is challenging for women with the condition. Little data exists about how long-term exposure to these drugs may affect the foetus.
A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that children exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy do not develop neurological issues such as impaired hearing or vision, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high-quality studies are needed.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are expecting and taking ADHD medication should evaluate the benefits of using it versus the risks to the fetus. Physicians don't have the data to give clear advice, but can provide information on risks and benefits to assist pregnant women to make an informed decision.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who were taking ADHD medication during their early pregnancy did not have a greater 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 babies born to mothers who had taken stimulants in the early stages of pregnancy, and those who did not. Pediatric cardiologists, clinical geneticists and other experts looked over the cases to confirm that the classification was accurate and to reduce any bias.
related internet page conducted by the researchers had some limitations. The most important issue was that they were not able to differentiate the effects of the medication from those of the disorder that is underlying. This makes it difficult for researchers to determine whether the small differences observed between the groups that were exposed to the use of medications, or if they were caused by comorbidities. In addition the researchers did not examine the long-term effects of offspring on their parents.
The study found that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy had a slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU), compared to mothers who didn't take any medication during pregnancy or had quit taking the medication prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system disorders. The increased risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medication used during pregnancy.
Women who used stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy were also at an elevated risk of having a caesarean birth or having a baby born with a low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases didn't appear to be influenced by the type of medication that was used during pregnancy.
The research suggests that the small risk associated with the use of ADHD medications during early pregnancy may be offset by the greater benefits for both mother and child of continuing treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should discuss the issue with their patients and, when possible, help them develop strategies to improve their coping abilities that may minimize the impact of her disorder on her daily life and relationships.
Medication Interactions
As more women than ever are being diagnosed with ADHD and treated with medication, the question of whether to keep or end treatment during pregnancy is a question that doctors are having to confront. These decisions are usually taken without clear and authoritative evidence. Instead, physicians must take into account their own experience, the experience of other physicians and the research on the subject.
The issue of possible risks to the infant can be particularly tricky. The research that has been conducted on this topic is based on observations rather than controlled studies, and a lot of the results are conflicting. Furthermore, most studies restrict their analysis to live births, which can underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects that could cause abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study that is discussed in this journal club addresses these limitations by looking at data from both live and deceased births.
Conclusion A few studies have revealed a positive correlation between ADHD medications and certain birth defects However, other studies haven't found a correlation. Most studies show that there is a neutral, or slight negative effect. Therefore, a careful risk/benefit assessment must be conducted in every case.
It can be challenging, if not impossible, for women with 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 lead to depression and feelings of loneliness. A decrease in medication could also affect the ability to drive safely and to perform work-related tasks which are vital aspects of everyday life for those suffering from ADHD.
She recommends that women who are unsure about whether or not to stop taking medication because of their pregnancy should consider educating family members, friends and colleagues on the condition, its effects on daily functioning, 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 the patient decides to not take her ADHD medication while breastfeeding, it's important to be aware that the medication may be transferred to her baby.
Birth Defects and Risk of
As the use of ADHD drugs to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases as do concerns about the effects that the drugs could have on foetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge on this topic. With two massive data sets researchers were able examine more than 4.3 million pregnancies and determine whether stimulant medication use increased the risk of birth defects. Although the risk overall is low, the researchers did find that first-trimester exposure to ADHD medicines was associated with an increased risk of specific heart defects, such as ventriculoseptal defect (VSD).
The researchers of the study didn't discover any connection between the use of early medications and other congenital anomalies like facial deformities, or club feet. The results are in agreement with previous studies which showed a small, but significant increase in the number of cardiac malformations among women who began taking ADHD medication prior to the time of the time of pregnancy. This risk increased during the latter part of pregnancy, when many women decide to stop taking their medication.
Women who took ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely need a caesarean or have a low Apgar after birth and had a baby that required breathing assistance at birth. However the authors of the study were not able to eliminate bias due to selection by limiting the study to women who didn't have any other medical conditions that could have contributed to these findings.
Researchers hope their research will inform physicians when they see pregnant women. The researchers recommend that, while discussing the risks and benefits are important, the choice on whether to continue or stop medication should be made in light of the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and her needs.
The authors also caution that even though stopping the medication is an option, it is not an option that is recommended due to the high incidence of depression and other mental health issues among women who are pregnant or post-partum. Additionally, the research suggests that women who choose to stop taking their medications are more likely to experience a difficult time getting used to life without them following the baby's arrival.
Nursing
It can be a challenge to become a mom. Women who suffer from ADHD who have to deal with their symptoms while attending physician appointments and making preparations for the arrival of a child and adapting to new routines in the home are often faced with a number of difficulties. Many women opt to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.
The risk to a nursing infant is low because the majority of stimulant medications passes through breast milk at low levels. The rate of medication exposure will vary based on the dosage, frequency of administration and 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 is not well understood.
Because of the lack of research, some doctors might be tempted to stop taking stimulant medication during a woman's pregnancy. It's a difficult choice for the mother, who must weigh the advantages of continuing her medication against the potential risks to the embryo. In the meantime, until more information is available, doctors should ask all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and whether they are taking or planning to take medication during the perinatal period.
Many studies have shown that women can continue taking their ADHD medication in a safe manner during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. This has led to many patients opt to do this, and after consulting with their doctor, they have found that the benefits of continuing their current medication exceed any risk.
Women with ADHD who are planning to nurse should seek advice from a specialist psychiatrist before becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their doctor and discuss the pros and cons for continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also required to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD recognize the signs and underlying disorder. They should also be informed about treatment options and reinforce coping mechanisms. This should be a multidisciplinary approach with the GP doctors, obstetricians and psychiatrists. Pregnancy counseling should include discussion of a treatment plan for the mother as well as the child, monitoring of signs of deterioration, and, if needed adjustments to the medication regime.