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ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Women with ADHD have to make a difficult choice about whether to continue or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breast-feeding. There isn't much information on how long-term exposure to these medications could affect the fetus. A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in utero do not develop neurological developmental disorders such as impaired vision or hearing seizures, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for more high-quality studies. Risk/Benefit Analysis Women who are expecting and taking ADHD medication should evaluate the benefits of using it against the potential dangers for the fetus. Physicians don't have the data to provide clear recommendations, but can provide information on the risks and benefits to aid pregnant women in making informed choices. A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who took ADHD medication in early pregnancy did not have a higher risk of fetal malformations, or structural birth defects. Researchers conducted a large, population-based case-control study to evaluate the incidence of major structural birth defects in infants born to mothers who had taken stimulants during early pregnancy, and those who did not. Pediatric cardiologists and clinical geneticists examined the cases to ensure accurate case classification and to limit the chance of bias. The study conducted by the researchers was not without limitations. The most important issue was that they were not able to differentiate the effects of the medication from the effects of the disorder at hand. This makes it difficult for researchers to establish whether the small associations observed among the exposed groups were due to the use of medication or confounded by co-morbidities. Additionally the researchers did not look at the long-term effects of offspring on their parents. The study did reveal that infants whose mothers had taken ADHD medications during pregnancy were at a slightly higher risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than those whose mothers had not taken any medication or stopped their medications before or during pregnancy. The reason for this was central nervous system disorders, and the higher 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 chance 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 type of medication that was used during pregnancy. The researchers suggest that the low risk associated with the use of ADHD medications during the early stages of pregnancy may be offset by the greater benefits to both the mother and child of continuing treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should discuss this with their patients and, if possible, help them develop strategies to improve their coping abilities which can reduce the impact of her disorder on her daily functioning and relationships. Interactions with Medication As more women than ever are being diagnosed with ADHD and treated with medication, the issue of whether to continue or end treatment during pregnancy is a question that doctors are having to face. Most of the time, these decisions are made without clear and authoritative evidence either way, so physicians must weigh what they know about their experiences, the experiences of other doctors, and what the research suggests on the subject, along with their own judgments for each patient. The issue of possible risks to infants is particularly tricky. Many studies on this issue are based on observational data instead of controlled research and their conclusions are often contradictory. In addition, most studies limit their analysis to live births, which may undervalue the serious teratogenic effects that can cause abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study discussed in the journal club addresses these issues by analyzing information on deceased and live births. The conclusion is that while certain studies have demonstrated that there is a positive correlation 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. Therefore, a careful risk/benefit assessment is required in every situation. It isn't easy, but not impossible for women with ADHD to stop taking their medication. In an article recently published in the Archives of Women's Mental Health psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping ADHD medication during pregnancy can lead to increased depression, feelings of isolation, and family conflict for patients with ADHD. A loss of medication may also affect the ability to safely drive and complete work-related tasks, which are vital aspects of everyday life for people with ADHD. She suggests that women who are not sure whether to continue taking the medication or discontinue it due to pregnancy, educate their family members, colleagues, and their friends about the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and the benefits of keeping the current treatment plan. In addition, educating them can make the woman feel more comfortable when she is struggling with her decision. Some medications can pass through the placenta. If a patient decides not to take her ADHD medication while pregnant and breastfeeding, it is important to be aware that the drug 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) grows there are concerns about the effects that the drugs might have on fetuses. A study that was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the body of knowledge about this subject. Researchers used two massive data sets to study more than 4.3 million pregnancies and determine if stimulant medication use increased the risk of birth defects. Although the risk overall remains low, the researchers discovered that the first-trimester exposure to ADHD medicines was associated with an increased risk of certain heart defects, like ventriculo-septal defects (VSD). The researchers of the study found no link between early use of medication and congenital abnormalities like facial clefting, or club foot. The results are in line with previous studies showing a small but significant increase in the risk of cardiac malformations in women who started taking ADHD medications before the time of pregnancy. The risk increased in the latter part of pregnancy when many women decided to stop taking their medication. Women who took ADHD medications during the first trimester of their pregnancy were also more likely to experience caesarean sections, a low Apgar score following delivery, and a baby who required breathing assistance at birth. The authors of the study were not able to eliminate selection bias because they limited the study to women with no other medical conditions that might have contributed to the findings. Researchers hope their research will help doctors when they meet pregnant women. The researchers suggest that while discussing risks and benefits are crucial, the decision regarding whether or not to stop medication should be made in light of the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and her needs. The authors also caution that while discontinuing the medications is an option, it isn't an option to consider due to the high rate of depression and other mental health issues among women who are pregnant or recently post-partum. Further, the research suggests that women who decide to stop taking their medication are more likely to have a difficult time adjusting to life without them after the baby's arrival. Nursing adhd medication online that come with being a new mother can be overwhelming. Women suffering from ADHD can face severe challenges when they must deal with their symptoms, go to doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of a baby and adjust to new routines. Therefore, many women decide to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout the course of pregnancy. The majority of stimulant medications are absorbed by breast milk in small quantities, so the risk to the nursing infant is very low. The rate of exposure to medication will vary based on the dosage the medication is administered, its frequency and time of day. Additionally, different drugs enter the infant's system through the gastrointestinal tract or through breast milk. The impact on the health of a newborn isn't completely known. Some doctors may stop taking stimulant medications during a woman's pregnancy due to the lack of research. This is a difficult choice for the patient, who must weigh the benefits of continuing her medication against the possible dangers to the fetus. As long as more information is available, GPs may ask pregnant patients whether they have an history of ADHD or if they are planning to take medication in the perinatal phase. A growing number of studies have shown that women can continue to take their ADHD medication during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. In adhd anxiety medication , a growing number of patients are opting to do so. They have concluded after consulting with their physicians that the benefits of keeping their current medication outweigh any risk. It is essential for women with ADHD who are considering breastfeeding to seek a specialist psychiatrist's guidance prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their doctor and discuss the pros and cons of continued treatment, including non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also required to help women with ADHD recognize their symptoms and underlying disorder Learn about the available treatments and to reinforce existing coping strategies. This should include a multidisciplinary approach, which includes the GP as well as obstetricians, psychiatry and obstetricians. Pregnancy counseling should include a discussion of a treatment plan for the mother and child, monitoring of signs of deterioration and, if necessary modifications to the medication regime.