7 Small Changes That Will Make The Biggest Difference In Your ADHD Med…

ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Women suffering from ADHD must make a difficult decision about whether to continue or stop taking adhd medication online medication during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Little data exists about how long-term exposure to these drugs can affect the foetus.

A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication during the uterus do not develop neurological developmental disorders like hearing loss or impaired vision, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for higher-quality studies.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Women who are pregnant and taking ADHD medication must consider the benefits of taking it against the possible risks for the baby. Doctors don't have enough data to make unambiguous recommendations but they can provide information about risks and benefits to assist pregnant women to make informed choices.

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who were taking ADHD medication in early pregnancy were not at greater risk of fetal malformations or structural birth defects. Researchers conducted a massive population-based study of case control to compare the incidence of structural defects that were major in infants who were born to mothers who were taking stimulants during pregnancy. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts looked over the cases to ensure that the classification was correct and to reduce any bias.

However, the study was not without its flaws. The researchers were unable in the beginning to distinguish the effects caused by the medication from the disorder. This makes it difficult for researchers to establish whether the small differences observed between the groups that were exposed to the use of medication or if they were affected by the presence of comorbidities. The researchers also did not examine the long-term effects for the offspring.

The study found that infants whose mother took ADHD medication during pregnancy had a higher chance of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU) as compared to mothers who didn't take any medication during pregnancy, or had discontinued taking their medication prior to or during pregnancy. The reason for this was central nervous system disorders. The increased risk of admission was not influenced by the stimulant medication that was used during pregnancy.

Women who took stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher risk of having an emergency caesarean section or having one whose baby scored low on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These risks did not appear to be affected by the kind of medication used during pregnancy.

The research suggests that the risk of a small amount with the use of ADHD medications during early pregnancy may be offset by the higher benefit to both the mother and child of continued treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should discuss the issue with their patients and, when they are able, 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

Doctors are increasingly confronted with the dilemma of whether to maintain treatment or stop during pregnancy as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. Often, these decisions are taken in the absence of solid and reliable evidence regardless, so doctors have to weigh their experience from their own experiences, those of other doctors, and what the research suggests on the subject as well as their own judgments for each individual patient.

The issue of possible risks to infants is difficult to determine. Many studies on this issue are based on observations rather than controlled research and their conclusions are often contradictory. The majority of studies limit their analysis to live births, which can underestimate the teratogenic impact that can lead to terminations or abortions of pregnancy. The study discussed in this journal club addresses these shortcomings by looking at data from both live and deceased births.

Conclusion: While some studies have shown an association between ADHD medications and certain birth defects, other studies have not shown such a relationship. Most studies have shown a neutral, or even slightly negative, impact. In each case it is imperative to conduct a thorough study of the potential risks and benefits should be conducted.

For a lot of women with ADHD and ADD, the decision to stop taking medication is difficult if not impossible. In fact, in an article published in the Archives of Women's Mental Health psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping treating adhd without medication medication during pregnancy can cause depression, feelings of isolation and family conflict for those suffering from the disorder. A decrease in medication could affect the ability to drive safely and perform work-related tasks, which are vital aspects of everyday life for people with 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, bipolar and Adhd medication coworkers on the condition, its impact on daily functioning, and the advantages of continuing the current treatment plan. It can also make the woman feel more comfortable when she is struggling with her decision. It is also worth noting that some medications are able to be absorbed through the placenta so if the patient decides to stop her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware that traces of the drug could be transferred to the infant.

Birth Defects and Risk of

As the use of ADHD medication to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases there are 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 subject. Researchers utilized two massive data sets to study over 4.3 million pregnancies and determine if stimulant medication use increased birth defects. Researchers discovered that although the overall risk is low, first-trimester ADHD exposure to medication was associated with slightly higher risk of specific heart defects like ventriculoseptal defects.

The researchers of the study could not discover any connection between early use of medication and congenital anomalies like facial deformities or club feet. The results are in line with previous studies that have shown a small but significant increase in the risk of cardiac malformations among women who began taking ADHD medications before pregnancy. The risk grew during the latter part of pregnancy, when many women begin to discontinue their medication.

Women who took adhd sleep medication list medications during the first trimester of pregnancy were also more likely to experience caesarean section, low Apgar score after delivery and a baby who required help breathing at birth. The authors of the study could not eliminate bias due to selection because they limited their study to women who did not have any other medical conditions that could have contributed to the findings.

The researchers hope their research will serve to inform the clinical decisions of doctors who treat pregnant women. The researchers suggest that while discussing benefits and risks are important, the choice about whether to continue or stop medication should be made based on the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and the needs of the woman.

The authors caution that, while stopping the medication is a possibility to consider, it is not advised due to the high rate depression and other mental problems for women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth. Furthermore, research suggests that women who choose to stop taking their medications are more likely to have a difficult time getting used to life without them following the birth of their baby.

Nursing

It can be a challenge becoming a mother. Women suffering from ADHD are often faced with a number of difficulties when they must manage their symptoms, attend doctor appointments, prepare for the birth of their child and adjust to new routines. Therefore, many women choose to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout the course of pregnancy.

The risk for breastfeeding infant is minimal because the majority of stimulant medications is absorbed through breast milk in low amounts. The rate of exposure to medication will differ based on 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 and breast milk, and the effect of this on a newborn isn't well known.

Some physicians may discontinue stimulant medication during a woman's pregnancy due to the lack of research. It is a difficult decision for the woman who must weigh the benefits of her medication against the risk to the embryo. Until more information becomes available, doctors can inquire about pregnant patients if they have an history of ADHD or if they are planning to take medication during the perinatal stage.

Many studies have shown that women can continue to take their ADHD medication safely during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. In response, a growing number of patients are opting to do this. They have discovered through consultation with their doctors that the benefits of continuing their current medication outweigh possible risks.

Women with ADHD who are planning to nurse should seek the advice of a specialist psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their doctor, and the pros and cons for continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological methods. Psychoeducation is also required to help pregnant women with ADHD understand the symptoms and the underlying disorder. They should also learn about treatment options and strengthen strategies for coping. This should involve a multidisciplinary approach with the GP as well as obstetricians, psychiatry and obstetricians. Pregnancy counseling should consist of a discussion of a treatment plan for the mother and child, and monitoring for signs of deterioration and, if needed, adjustments to the medication regime.