Responsible For A ADHD Medication Pregnancy Budget? 10 Terrible Ways To Spend Your Money
Responsible For A ADHD Medication Pregnancy Budget? 10 Terrible Ways To Spend Your Money
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ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women suffering from ADHD have to make a difficult choice about whether to continue or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There isn't much information on how long-term exposure to these drugs 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 hearing or vision impairment seizures, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for more high-quality studies.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are pregnant and taking ADHD medications need to balance the advantages of taking them against potential risks to the fetus. The doctors don't have the information to make unambiguous recommendations however they can provide information about risks and benefits to aid pregnant women in making an informed decision.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who were taking ADHD medication in early pregnancy were not at a higher risk of fetal malformations, or structural birth defects. Researchers conducted a large population-based study of case control to examine the prevalence of major structural defects in infants who were born to mothers who were taking stimulants during pregnancy. Pediatric cardiologists and clinical geneticists looked over the cases to ensure an accurate case classification and to minimize the possibility of bias.
The research conducted by the researchers was not without its limitations. Researchers were unable to, in the first place to distinguish the effects triggered by the medication from the disorder. This makes it difficult for researchers to determine whether the small differences observed between the exposed groups were due to the use of medication or if they were confounded by co-morbidities. Additionally, the researchers did not study long-term offspring outcomes.
The study did find that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medications during pregnancy were at a greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than those who were born without any medication or had cut back on their medications prior to or during pregnancy. This increase was caused by central nervous system disorders. The increased risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medications used 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 one whose baby scored low on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases appear to be unrelated to the type of medication used during pregnancy.
Researchers suggest that the small risk of using ADHD medications during early pregnancies may be offset by the greater benefits for mother and baby of continuing treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should discuss the issue with their patients and, where possible, help them develop strategies for improving their coping skills which can reduce the negative impact of her condition on her daily functioning and relationships.
Medication Interactions
As more women than ever are diagnosed with ADHD and being treated with medication, the issue of whether to continue or discontinue treatment during pregnancy is a question that more and more doctors have to face. These decisions are frequently made without clear and authoritative evidence. Instead, doctors must take into account their own experience in conjunction with the experiences of other doctors, and the research that has been conducted on the subject.
The issue of risk to the infant can be extremely difficult. Many studies on this issue are based on observational evidence rather than controlled research, and their findings are often contradictory. The majority of studies limit their analysis to live-births, which could underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects that can lead to terminations or abortions of pregnancy. The study that is discussed in the journal club addresses these shortcomings, by examining both data on live and deceased births.
The conclusion is that while certain studies have demonstrated that there is a positive correlation between ADHD medications and the risk of certain birth defects, other studies have not found any evidence of a link and the majority of studies show a neutral or even slightly negative impact. In all cases an in-depth study of the benefits and risks is required.
It isn't easy, but not impossible for women with ADHD to stop taking their medication. In fact, in a recent article in 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 these patients. A decrease in medication could also impact the ability to drive safely and complete work-related tasks, which are vital aspects of daily life for people with ADHD.
She suggests 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 on the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and on the advantages of continuing the current treatment plan. It will also help a woman feel supported in her decision. Certain medications can be passed through the placenta. If a patient decides to not take her ADHD medication while breastfeeding, it's important to be aware that the drug could be passed on to her baby.
Birth Defects and Risk of
As the use and abuse click here of ADHD medication to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases the concern over the potential effects of these drugs on the fetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body knowledge on this subject. Researchers used two huge datasets to analyze more than 4.3 million pregnancies and determine if stimulant medication use caused birth defects. Researchers found that while the overall risk is low, the first trimester ADHD exposure to medication was associated with slightly higher risk of specific heart defects such as ventriculoseptal defect.
The researchers behind the study found no association between early medication use and other congenital abnormalities, like facial clefting, or club foot. The results are in line with previous studies that have shown a small, but significant increase in cardiac malformations for women who began taking ADHD medication prior to the time of pregnancy. The risk was higher during the latter part of pregnancy, when many women decide to stop taking their ADHD medications.
Women who were taking ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely to need a caesarean or have a low Apgar after delivery and have a baby that needed breathing assistance when they were born. The authors of the study could not eliminate selection bias because they limited their study to women with no other medical conditions that could have contributed to the findings.
The researchers hope their study will help inform the clinical decisions of physicians who treat pregnant women. The researchers advise that, while discussing risks and benefits are important, the decision regarding whether or not to stop taking medication should be in light of the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and her requirements.
The authors also advise that even though stopping the medication is an alternative, it is not an option that is recommended due to the high prevalence of depression and other mental health problems for women who are expecting or who are recently postpartum. Additionally, the research suggests that women who decide to stop taking their medications are more likely to experience difficulties getting used to life without them after the birth of their baby.
Nursing
The responsibilities of a new mother can be overwhelming. Women who suffer from ADHD may face a lot of challenges when they have to manage their symptoms, go to doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of their child and adjust to new routines. This is why many women decide to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout the course of pregnancy.
The risk to breastfeeding infant is not too high since the majority of stimulant medications passes through breast milk at a low level. The rate of medication exposure can vary depending upon the dosage and frequency of administration as well as the time of the day. In addition, various drugs enter the infant's system through the gastrointestinal tract or breast milk. The impact of these medications on a newborn's health is not fully understood.
Because of the lack of evidence, some doctors might be tempted to stop taking stimulant medications during the pregnancy of a woman. It's a difficult choice for the mother, who must weigh the benefits of continuing her medication against the potential risks to the foetus. In the meantime, until more information is available, doctors can inquire about pregnant patients if they have an background of ADHD or if they plan to take medication in the perinatal stage.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that women can continue to take their ADHD medication safely during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. In the end, more and more patients choose to do so, and in consultation with their physician, they have discovered that the benefits of keeping their current medication outweigh any risks.
Women with ADHD who plan to breastfeed should seek advice from a specialist psychiatrist before becoming pregnant. They should review their medications with their prescriber and discuss the pros and cons of continued treatment, including non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also needed to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD be aware of the symptoms and the underlying disorder. They should also learn about treatment options and strengthen coping mechanisms. This should include an approach that is multidisciplinary, including 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, as well as monitoring for indicators of deterioration, and, if necessary, adjustments to the medication regimen.