I recently got married and my husband and I would like to have children soon.
I have quite a demanding job and I take dexamphetamine for my ADHD.
I'm not sure how I will be able to cope with my job if I cannot take my medication during pregnancy. I earn a lot more money than my husband so it is not possible for me to take time off to have a baby.
The industry in which I work is quite competitive so I am concerned that I could actually lose my job if I go off my medication.

Does anyone know anything about the types of ADHD medication you can take during pregnancy? I heard about some cloth patches - does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks!!

Surely you're gonna loose out mif you have a baby, with all that time off work and what not.

There aren't any medications that you can use during pregnancy. The best approach for this issue is to work with an ADD Coach/ Organizer or experienced therapist on skills for planning, organization, time management. Good luck to you.:)

I went off my meds when I was pregnant with both my girls. Your going to have whats called pregnancy brain so you will have an excuse for some things lol!

Ask your Dr. My Dr said I could stay on my meds but I chose not to. I was to scared of what it may or may not do to my unborn baby. I didn't work when I was pregnant. I still don't ........but I know not everyone has that option. With the exception of the first trimester ( i was too tired to stay awake much during the first trimester both pregnancies) I did fine with routine things. Anything new that popped up on me I had to ask for help even if it seemed like something simple. Remember you may not experience the same tings I did. You may do totally fine.

Do you take omega 3? That could help. I took it when I was pregnant. I'd still ask your dr first. Plus the prenantals will help you a bit too! Also exercising will help. People don't realize how much exercise helps the brain function properly! I don't know if you have a motherhood store or a borders near you (maybe you can find them on line) ...but if you can find a DVD called Fit Mama it's really good. It is safe! Leisa Hart was pregnant (in her 3rd trimester) when she made the DVD. Also if you can find a good DVD for yoga while pregant that will help. I had one but I don't remember what it was called. The meditation will help you focus more.

I take it your not pregnant yet? I think thats what I read lol! Anyway, if your not yet I'd start these things now. That way when you get pregnat you will be in the habbit of doing them instead of trying to do too much at once.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask me. I used to be a regular here. I just haven't been on much because I moved and I have the girls keeping me busy. I should be on here more often.

I went off my meds when I was pregnant with both my girls. Your going to have whats called pregnancy brain so you will have an excuse for some things lol!



I did that. I have a very demanding job that requires extreme attention to detail. I have two children. When I first found out I was pregnant, I told everyone. If I had lost the child(ren) I would have dealt with the consequences. I needed an excuse - "pregnancy brain". Truth be told, I was alright without my meds being pregnant. For some reason, pregnancy helped me. I heard that with other people as well. You have an extra ability to do it while pregnant. When your hormones are coming down after pregnancy, it gets a little more difficult.

You will be just fine, really. Just use the pregnancy excuse to the fullest, seriously.

What would happen if you took medication for ADD druing pregnancy?

...or is that a really dumb question?

because i worry that if i was pregnant and didnt realise what harm it would do to the baby?

I am not really sure. I don't think they have any real studies on this yet. When I knew I was pregnant for sure......... I just quit taking my meds. I was almost 9 weeks before I knew I was pregnant with my first daughter. She's got A LOT of energy but she's a pretty typical 3 yr old otherwise.

I am trying Wellbutrin XL right now per my psychiatrist. I was on Vvyanse and loving it. I was very upset when I found out I was pregnant because I didn't want to take anything. I found out when I was 5 weeks pregnant and I stopped the meds the day after I found out. Stimulants (your adderall/vvyanse type drugs) in the dosing I was taking are NOT good for the fetus. I don't even want to try strattera and my doctor did not recommend it for pregnancy due to lack of information. I trust my psychatrist as he has a relatively good sized ADD patient population in his practice and he truly takes the time to listen and address everyone one of my concerns. Citing the evidence for why he feels the way he does.

I did ok for the next 2 weeks or so off of vvyanse, and then I felt myself slipping. My psych had giving me a script for Wellbutrin the day I found out I was pregnant and I didn't take the Wellbutrin for fear of harming my child. My husband (a doctor) and my psychiatrist both assured me that it was safe during pregnancy and that the studies only showed toxic affects at high dosages. I didn't believe them so I read the studies on my own as well. Granted they've only studied rabbits and rats BUT they also have the Bupropion Pregnancy Registry which has been collecting data since 1995 I think (or was it 1997?). I will be participating in this registry if I stay on this drug.

I wanted to go drug free but with my ADHD and OCD tendencies/hyper-focusing it just wasn't happening. Am I any different with medication now? I don't have the focus as with Vvyanse but I do have more drive and my moods are controlled better. I also take ambien occasionally as I do not sleep very well (I tried to control my sleep first and when that didn't happen I think I started to lose my grip). Also please note, I am in therapy as well 10-14 day visit schedule and I am well aware of my tendencies and working on them diligently.

I am sure many will have varying opinion but if you review the scientific literature (I'm talking PubMed - not an internet search) the "scare" of terogenic cardiologic affects were found as not statistically relevant (meaning not higher than the general population - one study in Canada of over 100 women showed no defects). Do I think that it's better not to take anything? Of course, the less in your body the less the chances but taking the drugs I'm on (including my 4-5 allergy/asthma medications AND allergy shots) have been shown as Category C or higher. Cat C isn't a death sentence, Human subjects reforms will not allow studies on fetus/pregnant women so there are only registries available and animal research. Please note MANY studies look at dosages WELL ABOVE the human concentration dosage in animals such a mice, rabbits and dogs. Animals much smaller than humans. Will I take other Cat C drugs? Not unless they've been researched in other capacities (like dramamine which saved my butt on a flight this week!).

I am a woman who truly likes to be informed (my OCD helps a bit there) and I feel comfortable with the "risks" I am taking. Not everyone will make the same decision and I wish you luck in deciding yours. I am hoping this drug will help but if not I might have to just try an SSRI. I am hoping not because I really need to control my ADHD, not my depression. I was mis-diagnosed with depression for years and the drugs never helped. I'll give my generic Wellbutrin XL a chance and we'll see where we go from there. Since there have been a few articles on generic vs brand, I might switch but I used generic brands for other drugs quite comfortably.

Sorry for my :soapbox: ... I hope that people can see two sides to every store and educate themselves on the "realistic" risks with pregnancy. Since this isn't discussed much since I've searched on this before when I first went on Vvyanse ... I'd like to share my thoughts on it.

Best of luck for all of you pregnant women reading this!

Here's a link (http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=17872810) to a recent review of studies done on ADHD medications and pregnancy (http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=17872810). Overall, I think the results (http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=17872810#id94851) are relatively comforting for the soon-to-be parents. Best of luck to you and your family!

I recently got married and my husband and I would like to have children soon.
I have quite a demanding job and I take dexamphetamine for my ADHD.
I'm not sure how I will be able to cope with my job if I cannot take my medication during pregnancy. I earn a lot more money than my husband so it is not possible for me to take time off to have a baby.
The industry in which I work is quite competitive so I am concerned that I could actually lose my job if I go off my medication.

Does anyone know anything about the types of ADHD medication you can take during pregnancy? I heard about some cloth patches - does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks!!

Hello, also new to this forum and just want to comment to the women who is staying on her meds. I had a baby 9 mos. ago before I was diagnosed with ADD. My previous diagnosis was Bipolar which I hear is a common mistake made by many docs. Anyway, I was on several medications and had to stay on them throughout my pregnancy being that the 'benefits outweighed the risks'. I do not think I would have made it through my pregnancy without medication. It was a horrible 9 months for me. It is a hard decision to make but I think I would have committed suicide otherwise. Also, I was alone for my pregnancy so there were other factors involved. My son is healthy, no problems so far, birth weight was good. He is a happy little boy. Although I thank God everyday that he is healthy, I would have to say that I would do it again. Also, I was taking Ativan as well and when he was born they tested him to see if he had a blood level. It had not crossed the placenta. So it might not be as bad as we would believe. :) God Bless