Question: How can a woman with ADHD successfully go through pregnancy? Can she still take stimulant medications?
Answer: This is an important but tough question.  And presently we don't have a lot of research on the possible toxic (teratogenic) effects of ADHD medications on the fetus if  used by a pregnant woman.  However, this past year or two several large scale population wide studies (Denmark, Sweden, etc.) looked at any risk for major malformations int he babies in women who continued on meds and those who didn't.  They found none except both studies found a small increased risk for heart malformations (about 2-3% as I recall) over what was seen in moms not taking the meds.  But we have no studies on whether the meds could cause less dramatic developmental problems or disorders.  The drug company package inserts advise against taking them when pregnant but that is just to protect them from future liability.  The latest approach is for a physician to have a long and sensitive discussion of the risks and benefits.  After all, there are considerable risks posed by stopping medication, such as increased risks for accidental injuries, car crashes, suicide, anxiety, depression, early mortality, obesity, impaired employment, difficulties managing a household or other children, etc.  All that risk comes back if the medications are ceased.  So its really a personal decision based on weighting all these factors in talking with your doctor.
content: Q: How can a woman with ADHD successfully go through pregnancy? Can she still take stimulant medications?
   Ans: This is an important but tough question.  And presently we don't have a lot of research on the possible toxic (teratogenic) effects of ADHD medications on the fetus if  used by a pregnant woman.  However, this past year or two several large scale population wide studies (Denmark, Sweden, etc.) looked at any risk for major malformations int he babies in women who continued on meds and those who didn't.  They found none except both studies found a small increased risk for heart malformations (about 2-3% as I recall) over what was seen in moms not taking the meds.  But we have no studies on whether the meds could cause less dramatic developmental problems or disorders.  The drug company package inserts advise against taking them when pregnant but that is just to protect them from future liability.  The latest approach is for a physician to have a long and sensitive discussion of the risks and benefits.  After all, there are considerable risks posed by stopping medication, such as increased risks for accidental injuries, car crashes, suicide, anxiety, depression, early mortality, obesity, impaired employment, difficulties managing a household or other children, etc.  All that risk comes back if the medications are ceased.  So its really a personal decision based on weighting all these factors in talking with your doctor.