A new study led by the University of Western Australia looks at whether medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) should be stopped during pregnancy.
Dani Russell, a PhD student in the School of Population and Global Health at the University of Western Australia, is lead author published in Women's Health Files.
ADHD is becoming more prevalent in women; As a result, more and more women are taking ADHD medications such as dextroamphetamine during pregnancy. "Our study investigated whether there is a reason to stop taking this medication during pregnancy. ”
The study included women from Western Australia who took dextroamphetamine during pregnancy and gave birth between 2003 and 2018.
"Women who stop taking their medications during pregnancy have a higher risk of threatened miscarriage than women who continue to take their medications," Russell said. "However, the findings suggest that continued use of dextroamphetamine does not increase health risks for women or babies. ”
Studies have found that stopping medication before pregnancy also appears to have benefits, including reducing the risk of preeclampsia, high blood pressure, postpartum haemorrhage, admission to an intensive care unit, and fetal distress.
"Pregnancy is a very stressful time for women with ADHD, so it's good to know that stopping medication** during pregnancy may not always be necessary," she said. ”
This study is part of a larger effort under the guidance of women with ADHD in the community to hopefully provide much-needed insights for ** during pregnancy.