10 Best Mobile Apps For ADHD Medication Pregnancy

10 Best Mobile Apps For ADHD Medication Pregnancy

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ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Women suffering from ADHD have to make a difficult choice on whether to keep or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Little data exists about how long-term exposure to these medications can affect the foetus.

A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that children exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy do not develop neurological problems like hearing loss or vision, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for higher-quality research.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Women who are pregnant and take ADHD medication must weigh the benefits of taking it against the potential risks to the foetus. The doctors don't have the information to make unambiguous recommendations but they can provide information about risks and benefits to help pregnant women make an informed decision.

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who were taking ADHD medication during their early pregnancy were not at higher risk of fetal malformations or structural birth defects. The researchers used 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 in the early stages of pregnancy and those who had not. Pediatric cardiologists and clinical geneticists looked over the cases to ensure an accurate case classification and to minimize the chance of bias.

The research conducted by the researchers was not without limitations. The researchers were not able in the beginning to differentiate the effects of the medication from the disorder. This limitation makes it difficult to know whether the small associations observed in the groups that were exposed result from medication use or the confounding effect of comorbidities. Additionally, the researchers did not study the long-term effects of offspring on their parents.

The study did show that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy were at a slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants who were born without any medication or had taken off their medication prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system-related disorders, and the increased risk of admission did not appear to be affected by the type of stimulant medications were taken during pregnancy.

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

The researchers suggest that the risk of a small amount with the use of ADHD medications during the early stages of pregnancy could be offset by the higher benefit for both mother and child of continued treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should speak with their patients about this and, if possible, help them develop coping strategies that may reduce the impact of her disorder in her daily life and relationships.

Interactions with Medication

Doctors are increasingly faced with the decision of whether to maintain treatment or stop during pregnancy as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. These decisions are usually taken without clear and authoritative evidence. Instead, doctors must consider their own expertise and experience, as well as the experiences of other physicians and the research on the subject.

The issue of risk for infants can be difficult to determine. Many studies on this issue are based on observations rather than controlled research, and their findings are often contradictory. Most studies restrict their analysis to live births, which can underestimate the teratogenic impact leading to abortions or terminations of pregnancy. The study that is discussed in the journal club addresses these shortcomings, by examining both the data from deceased and live births.

The conclusion is that while certain studies have demonstrated a positive association between ADHD medications and the possibility of certain birth defects, others have found no connection and the majority of studies demonstrate a neutral or slight negative effect. In all cases it is imperative to conduct a thorough analysis of the risks and benefits is required.

For many women with ADHD and ADD, the decision to stop taking 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 being isolated. A decrease in medication could also affect the ability to safely drive and complete work-related tasks, which are vital aspects of daily life for those with ADHD.

She suggests that women who are unsure about whether to keep or stop medication in light of their pregnancy consider informing family members, friends and colleagues about the condition, its impact on daily functioning, and on the advantages of staying on the current treatment plan. It can also help the woman feel supported when she is struggling with her decision. Some medications can pass through the placenta. If a woman decides to not take her ADHD medication while breastfeeding, it is crucial to be aware that the drug could be passed on to her infant.

Birth Defects Risk

As the use and abuse of ADHD medication to treat symptoms of attention deficit disorder hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), increases, so does concern about the potential effects of these drugs on foetuses. A study that was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the body of knowledge about this subject. Researchers used two huge data sets to examine more than 4.3 million pregnancy and determine whether stimulant medications increased birth defects. Researchers discovered that, while the overall risk is low, first-trimester ADHD medication use was associated with slightly higher risk of specific heart defects like ventriculoseptal defect.

The researchers behind the study found no link between the use of early medications and other congenital anomalies, like facial clefting, or club foot. The results are in agreement with previous studies that have shown an insignificant, but small increase in cardiac malformations here for women who started taking ADHD medication prior to the birth of their child. The risk was higher in the later part of pregnancy, as many women begin to discontinue their ADHD medication.

Women who were taking ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely require a caesarean delivery and also have an insufficient Apgar after delivery, and have a baby who needed breathing assistance after birth. However the authors of the study were not able to eliminate selection bias by restricting the study to women who did not have other medical issues that could have contributed to these findings.

The researchers hope their study will serve to inform the clinical decisions of physicians who treat pregnant women. They suggest that although the discussion of the benefits and risks is important, the decision to stop or continue medication must be based on each woman's requirements and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.

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 issues for women who are expecting or postpartum. Further, the research suggests that women who decide to stop taking their medications are more likely to experience difficulties getting used to life without them following the baby's arrival.

Nursing

The responsibilities of a new mom can be overwhelming. Women who suffer from ADHD 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 can experience severe challenges. Many women decide to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.

The risk to a breastfeeding infant is minimal because the majority of stimulant medications passes through breast milk in low amounts. However, the amount of medication exposure to the infant can differ based on dosage, how often it is taken and the time of the day the medication is administered. In addition, various drugs enter the infant's system via the gastrointestinal tract or breast milk. The effect on the health of a newborn is not fully comprehended.

Some physicians may discontinue stimulant medication during a woman's pregnancy due to the lack of research. It's a difficult choice for the woman, who must weigh the advantages of her medication against the risk to the foetus. As long as there is no more information, doctors should inquire with all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and whether they are taking or planning to take medication during the perinatal period.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that women can continue to take their ADHD medication without risk while breastfeeding and during pregnancy. As a result, more and more patients opt to do this and after consulting with their doctor, they have discovered that the benefits of keeping their current medication exceed any risk.

It is essential for women with ADHD who are thinking of breastfeeding to seek out a specialist psychiatrist's guidance prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss the medication they are taking with their physician, and the pros and cons for continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also necessary to help pregnant women with ADHD be aware of the symptoms and the underlying disorder. They should also learn about treatment options and strengthen coping mechanisms. This should involve a multidisciplinary approach with the GP as well as obstetricians, psychiatry and obstetricians. Counselling for pregnancy should include discussion of a management plan for both mother and child, as well as monitoring for signs of deterioration and when necessary, making adjustments to the medication regimen.