15 Of The Most Popular ADHD Medication Pregnancy Bloggers You Need To Follow
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ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The decision to stop or continue ADHD medication during pregnancy and nursing is a difficult decision for women suffering from the condition. There aren't enough data on how exposure to ADHD for a long time could affect the pregnant fetus.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in the uterus don't develop neurological developmental conditions like impaired vision or hearing seizures, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high quality studies are required.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are pregnant and taking ADHD medications need to balance the benefits of taking them against the potential risks to the fetus. The doctors don't have the information to give clear advice, but can provide information on the risks and benefits to assist pregnant women to make informed choices.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who were taking ADHD medications in early pregnancy did not face an higher risk of fetal cardiac malformations or major structural birth defects. Researchers conducted a large, population-based case-control study to determine the prevalence of major structural birth defects in babies born to mothers who had taken stimulants during early pregnancy, and those who did not. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts examined the cases to ensure that the classification was accurate and to minimize any bias.
However, the study had its limitations. The researchers were unable in the beginning, to separate the effects of the medication from the disorder. This limitation 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 comorbidities. Additionally, the researchers did not look at long-term offspring outcomes.
The study found that infants whose mothers took ADHD medication during pregnancy were at a slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU) in comparison to those whose mothers did not use any medication during pregnancy or stopped taking their medication before or during pregnancy. The reason for this was central nervous system disorders. The higher risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medications used during pregnancy.
Women who took stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy also had an increased chance of having a caesarean birth or having a baby born with an low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases did appear to be independent of the type of medication taken during pregnancy.
The research suggests that the low risk associated with the use of private adhd medication cost 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 speak with their patients about this and, if possible, help them develop coping skills that could reduce the effects of her disorder on her daily functioning and her relationships.
Interactions with Medication
As more women than ever before 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, doctors have to take into account their own experience, the experience of other physicians and the research on the topic.
Particularly, the subject of possible risks to the baby can be tricky. The research that has been conducted on this topic is based on observations rather than controlled studies, and the results are conflicting. Furthermore, most studies restrict their analysis to live births, which can underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects that could lead to abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study that is discussed in the journal club addresses these issues by analyzing information on deceased and live births.
The conclusion The conclusion: While certain studies have demonstrated a positive association between ADHD medications and the possibility of certain birth defects, other studies have found no connection, and most Popular adhd medication studies show a neutral or even slightly negative effect. As a result, a careful risk/benefit analysis must be done in each case.
For many women with ADHD, the decision to discontinue medication is difficult, if not impossible. In a recent article in the Archives of Women's Mental Health by psychologist Jennifer Russell, she notes that stopping ADHD medications during pregnancy can increase depression and feelings of loneliness. Furthermore, a loss of medication may affect the ability to perform work-related tasks and safely drive that are crucial aspects of a normal life for a lot of people with ADHD.
She recommends women who are unsure about whether or not to stop taking medication because of their pregnancy should consider the possibility of educating friends, family members and colleagues about the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and the advantages of staying on the current treatment regimen. Educating them can also help the woman feel 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 should be aware of the possibility that traces of the drug can be transferred to the infant.
Birth Defects Risk
As the use and abuse of ADHD medication to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd sleep medication list) is increasing the concern over the possible effects of the drugs on foetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body knowledge on this topic. Researchers used two huge data sets to examine more than 4.3 million pregnancies and determine if the use of stimulant medications increased birth defects. While the overall risk remains low, the scientists discovered that the first-trimester exposure to ADHD medications was linked to a slightly higher rate of certain heart defects, such as ventriculo-septal defect (VSD).
The researchers of the study found no connection between early use of medication and congenital abnormalities like facial clefting, or club foot. The results are consistent with previous studies revealing a small but significant increase in the risk of cardiac malformations in women who started taking ADHD medications prior to the time of the birth of their child. This risk increased in the later part of pregnancy, when a lot of women are forced to stop taking their medication.
Women who took ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely to require a caesarean delivery, have a low Apgar after delivery and have a baby that needed help breathing after birth. The authors of the study were unable to eliminate bias due to selection because they limited their 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 encounter pregnant women. The researchers advise that while discussing risks and benefits are important, the decision about whether to continue or stop medication should be in light of the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and the needs of the woman.
The authors caution that, although stopping the medication is an option to think about, it isn't recommended due to the high rate depression and other mental disorders among women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth. Research has also shown that women who stop taking their medications will have a tough transitioning to life without them once the baby is born.
Nursing
The responsibilities of a new mother can be overwhelming. Women with strongest adhd medication for adults who must work through their symptoms while attending physician appointments, preparing for the arrival of a baby and adapting to new routines in the home are often faced with a number of difficulties. Many women choose to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.
The risk to a breastfeeding infant is not too high since the majority of stimulant medication passes through breast milk in low amounts. The amount of exposure to medications will differ based on dosage the medication is administered, its frequency and time of day. Additionally, individual medications enter the body of the baby differently through the gastrointestinal tract and breast milk and the impact of this on a newborn is not well known.
Due to the absence of evidence, some doctors may be inclined to discontinue stimulant medication during a woman's pregnancy. This is a difficult decision for the patient, who must balance the benefits of continuing her medication against the potential risks to the fetus. As long as there is no more information, doctors should ask all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and whether they are planning or taking to take medication during the perinatal time.
A growing number of studies have revealed that women can continue to take their ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In response, a growing number of patients are choosing to continue their medication. They have discovered after consulting with their physicians, that the benefits of retaining their current medication outweigh any risk.
Women with ADHD who are planning to breastfeed should seek the advice of a specialist psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their physician and discuss the pros and cons of continued treatment, including non-pharmacological management strategies. Psychoeducation is also required to help pregnant women with ADHD recognize the signs and underlying disorder. They should also be educated about treatment options and reinforce strategies for coping. This should be a multidisciplinary process with the GPs, obstetricians and psychiatrists. Pregnancy counseling should include a discussion of a treatment plan for the mother as well as the child, monitoring of signs of deterioration, and, if necessary modifications to the medication regime.
