Medication and pregnancy? | ADHD Information
My Beloved works at an Early Intervention Center.
There's a lot of messed up babies from Mommies taking prescription psychiatric drugs.
I don't think it's "just a coincidence".
If stopping the drugs doesn't put YOU in a life threatening position... why risk doing that to your baby by staying on the drugs ?
I am currently a law student (female) and not planning on having kids any time soon. However, I know that a time will come when this will happen. I don't think it's a particularly good idea to take amphetamine dirivatives while pregnant (I'm currently on Adderall), but I'm extremely worried that I won't be able to work without them. I was off medication once in undergrad and got horrible grades. I can't seem to find any motivation, and I can't seem to concentrate on anything for longer than ten or fifteen minutes - even things I love to do while medicated. I suppose that people with ADHD have been successful without medication in all aspects of life, and I'm sure there's more than a few lawyers out there who do just fine, but I'm terrified that I won't be able to do it. I can't even begin to imagine going as much as 2 years (with trying to get pregnant and nurse feeding) without medication. How do I interview for positions knowing that I might have to take a 2 year leave of absence in a couple of years? What if there's an accidental pregnancy? Am I supposed to quit? Abort? Take meds while pregnant? Are there any good options out there? Am I the only person who's worried about this?
I'm very interested in hearing any experiences that anybody had while pregnant - whether you were medicated throughout, whether you conceived while medicated, what the outcomes were, how being pregnant affected your AD/HD, etc. What did/does your doctor say?
Pregnancy is a whole 'nother ballgame so to speak... those hormones mess with your head and health. It's more fun than you can know!! I had a blast being pregnant with my daughter and son.. Loved the sensation of a little life growing inside of me...
I'm ADD, no meds during pregancy... also, was more focused, happy go lucky than I had ever been in my life
Now the fun part is that others I have talked to talk about how those hormones mess with their heads and they are moody, have morning sickness, airheaded.... etc... and I"m laughing about it...
Ya see? People expect preggers to be ADD!!! LOL gotta love it!
Seriously, the novelty of being pregnant might actually help you stay more focused in your job, and if you arent, well, coworkers are ever so forgiving of the pregnant lady.. 
lawright
http://www.medicinenet.com/amphetamine_and_dextroamphetamine /article.htm
"Written by Pharmacists, Reviewed by Doctors"
"...PREGNANCY: Adderall should not be used in pregnancy.
NURSING MOTHERS: Mothers taking amphetamines such as Adderall should refrain from nursing their infants because these drugs are excreted in human milk and can have undesirable effects on the child..."
Are you sure you want a child?
I would ask my Gen.MD and My psych about this.
I am sure you would stop. If you want to have a child, your going to have some major changes happening. Especially to your hormones and your body.
Adderall is for you, as an adult.
Not your unborn child.
As far as work, well if your pregnant, your priorities just changed.
I know your just asking IF you were to become pregnant, not that you are.
But YES, you would have to stop.
The doctor told me it was a development thing, but your explanation sounds quite logical. I was also told the 6 week thing too.
Mama didn't really have time to breastfeed me for too long and I certainly survived on formula. LOL.
[QUOTE=BALANCED]
Breastfeeding also helps develop the baby's immune system.
[/QUOTE]Which Science determined this, the science your trying to discredit for adhd?
Keep your lies straight. And your sources.
Actually it does not help the baby develop its immune system. Balanced you are incorrect.
What it does is delivers the same immunities from the mother to the baby. Whatever the mother is immune to the baby would be also -- as long as the baby is nursing. The immunity is not necessarily at the same level as the mother's though, - a baby can still catch a disease that he/she is exposed to. But with mommas antibodies delivered through the breast milk, the likelyhood is less.
The baby's immune system develops with or without the aid of nursing. in addition, if memory serves, the benefit is actually only for the first 6 weeks of life. ( although I could be wrong, on that one.)
In the long run, I don't see that it makes a giant difference as far as immunity is concerned - I was formula fed and am as healthy as a horse! My kids were both nursed, and are equally as healthy.
the main benefit for me was that it was soooooo relaxing.. I nursed my first child until she was 2 1/2 ( yes, people thought I was nuts! but I let her choose when she had enough! My son wanted nothing to do with it when he experienced real food.. it was a cup for him before the first year was up.)
Anyways, I was thinking that it really was an ADD treatment for me. That was my origional point- it was not meant to start a debate or issue concerning how we as mommies care for our little ones.. we love em just as much if we give them formula or mommas milk.
Sherry
Breastfeeding also helps develop the baby's immune system.
Kelly,
I found breast feeding to be very calming, and believe it or not, I was very relaxed and focused the whole time I nursed.. I think it released lots of endorphins or something.. I don't know.. Of course it also relaxed me right to sleep at times Someone would walk in on me and find me sitting straight up with my head on my chest snoozing away!!
I know your situation is different, I didnt have the corporate responsibilities you have.. but I did want to share my experience, and also ask you to try it even if only for a week.. your body will be in recovery from childbirth, breastfeeding speeds up the recovery process ( it actually causes the uterus to contract and shrink back into its origional size quicker.) and you wouldnt be able to work anyway.
I know its not for everyone.. and of course the choice is yours. Just wanted you to be aware of another temporary option.. I also know that nursing is not for everyone.. and if your heavy on the H I don't even know if you would enjoy sitting still for that long!
Sherry
Lawright:
Ignore reality - at least our version. He is totally against you having any help whether you are pregnant or not.
I QUOTE! " Drugs should be used as an absolute last resort... as in a life threatening situation"
So - whether a med is safe or not - good for you, baby whatever - don't touch because reality says so!!
Ok here's the scoop - there will always be some risk of taking amphetamines while being pregnant. Truth is - they haven't done major testing on women who are pregnant - so most of the numbers you'll see are from testing on pregnant rats. Nowhere near the same - a human female in any state is very hard to run clerical tests on as the variables are so great.
Doctor feedback on women who are pregnant and taking amphetamines theraputically (don't even look at the abuse numbers - they are for numbers far higher than you could ever safely be prescribed) - is promising. At lower dosages (usually recommended) risk to you and infant is very low.
You have to worry about blood pressure, kidney function and heart edema (swelling). The amphetamines won't cause any of these but they are risks during pregnancy that amphetamines can aggravate. So the MD should be visited more often than a woman pregnant without amphetamine Rx.
Get advice from an MD experienced in both prenatal medicine AND adult ADHD. That's the only advice that's trustworthy.
Again - ignore reality. WE do!!
GlenW38675.0641782407
A risk to the unborn baby is a risk however small and one that should be considered / weighed up just as seriously as future mothers would consider any other risk, such as deciding whether to drink or smoke during pregnancy.
If pregnant (or thinking of having a baby in the future as Lawright is) and on prescribed drugs, personally I'd seek out advice from a obstetrician-gynecologist as he or she specializes in this and then discuss this with my own doctor.
This following link is from the "American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) - the nation's leading group of professionals providing health care for women".
http://www.medem.com/MedLB/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=Z ZZN0X8997C&sub_cat=2005
"When you are pregnant, anything you eat, drink or smoke can affect you and your fetus. It's wise not to use any medication (over-the-counter or prescription) or herbal product without your doctor's advice. Alcohol and tobacco also should not be used during pregnancy... "
The amphetamine risk for unborn babies is listed further down the page.
There's also useful information about other risks.
My first post was a bit on the silly side.. true but silly.
When I was pregnant with both of my children, I did not even take OTC cold medicine. I was allowed triaminic, which doesnt do a blasted thing.
I suffered a lot with allergies, because, no more allergy meds.. I used a lot of hot and cold packs, etc.. I did suffer a little... But the mani thing is it was VERY MUCH WORTH IT! and I wouldnt trade any of it for anything else in the world!
I figure if it was so important to stay away from cold/alergy medication, nitrates ( nine months without lunch meat and hot dogs!) and many other mostly benign medications, surely amphetimines would be a big no-no also.
Also, since toxemia is a real threat for some women, I would think that a stimulant might exacerbate any potential problems. Toxemia is extremely dangerous for both mother and child during pregnancy.
Glen is right however, the best course is to cross that bridge when you come to it and discuss it at length with your doctor.
Sherry
On this search there are various books on pregnancy and amphetamine use (both for and against).
Going into the links it often brings up the page that relates specifically, or a synopsis of the page - where it doesn't, then clicking on one of the publishers may bring something up. Could be a help.
[QUOTE=kibbles002]I did suffer a little... But the mani thing is it was VERY MUCH WORTH IT! and I wouldnt trade any of it for anything else in the world!
[/QUOTE]
What a nice thing to say. One thing comes across very clearly - your children must know that they're loved by their Mom. 
awwwwww thanks 
sherry
Sherry, the best gift you can give any child is love and you should be the one who is thanked. I'm sure when your children are adult (if they're not already?) they'll recognise how important it is and let you know lots of times and in lots of ways how much they appreciate that gift. There are so many children who don't have that wonderful start in life.
Have a lovely weekend.
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I am currently pregnant and off my medication. I went off the day I found out I was pregnant. It has been difficult but manageable. I have cut back my work schedule. I also expect less from myself. I can't be the multitasking corporate lady without meds. However, I don't plan to breastfeed. The day my baby is born I am taking my Ritalin. 9 months is more than enough.