Effect of Pregnancy on ADD symptoms?

[tdsully]

I am 39 and am just beginning the formal diagnosis process. I don't really have any doubts - especially considering my family-wide symptoms (father, brother and 2 out of 3 sons) but I don't want to jump on any bandwagons and frankly I'm scared to death of meds- I don't really have a problem with taking medication as needed, but the day in day out stuff...not so much. Was prescribed prozac many years ago and it was horrible. Admittedly I had trouble remembering to take it but overall, it just made me feel worse. Anyway...back to my original question: as I search my memories of childhood, teen years, etc. it occurs to me that the only time I can remember being organized was while I was pregnant. My mom cleaned my room as a child and stood over me or went behind me even as a teenager. Since then, the only time I can remember having a clean house was during my pregnancies. I understand the nesting instinct, but I have lived in CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome) my entire adult life, so why was I able to get and keep every corner, nook and cranny of my house spotless during the end of my pregnancy and first few weeks after the birth? Granted I didn't work outside the home, but for the last one I had boys in K and 2nd grade and had no other help in the house. I also don't remember missing OB appointments or running in too late to be seen. I guess there is a part of me that is wondering if something about pregnancy affects ADD symptoms or if I am not really ADD and just not motivated like I was when I was expecting. Given the lack of information and acceptance of women with ADD I don't really expect much in the way of formal research ro studies but wondered if anyone else had similar experiences?

[jaimegerise]

I'd be curious to hear some of the responses to this as I have ADD but have yet to become pregnant. I hope to do so within the next couple of years (maybe) and wonder what I would expect to go through....especially as I'll be off of meds then (only taking concerta 36 mg but don't want to take it while preg).

Great idea for a thread!

[krisp]

I've heard from some ADD women do experience fewer ADD symptoms when pregnant. The hormones apparently help some people focus better. Alas, I was even spacier than usual while pregnant, and felt especially scattered postpartum. We're all different!

[Britarchivist]

yeah I have heard that symptoms lessen with the pregnancy.

[Nucking_Futs]

The last months of your pregnancy your body kicks into overdrive often referred to by the medical profession as NEsting...awww the blessed scrub your ceilings, mop your walls instinct. How I miss it. I had no trouble keeping my house organized and clean during my first pregnancy, slipped a little with the second by the time our oops baby came along I think I forgot my name a time or two. I've heard that you lost 1/3 of your IQ for every baby. Probably all those sleepless nights ,worry, stress, screaming, fighting, do I really need to go on. What I did find to help the most was take a step back and ask myself how important is this? My baby is only gonna be a baby for the blink of an eye it kinda puts thing's into perspective for you.

[jaimegerise]

Yes that's it! I need to get preg so that OTHER's will come in and clean my house for me!

[GeminiChick]

I don't recall there being any lessening of ADD symptoms when I was pregnant, though I didn't know I have it at the time. If anything, I was worse than normal...it's been shown that a woman's brain shrinks when she's pregnant, but snaps back postpartum...and I was definitely showing signs of that...forgetful, unfocused, distracted...all then and now!

I didn't nest either, you will not find a spotless nook or cranny in my house! But I was very conscious of my babies and had my Dr appointments and everything else pregnancy related in bold on my calendar so that I wouldn't forget anything important. Maybe it was just the unconscious and/or conscious knowledge of having this other huge responsibility besides yourself.

Everyone experiences pregnancy differently...I wouldn't rush to say that just because your ADD seemed better at the time that maybe you don't have it...

Julie

[Piupau]

Some of my problems get better when I'm pregnant. I'm less hyperactive... but I think that's because my body is heavier and aches, also I'm more tired than before. I'm not more organized but I do have some nesting... I start scrubbing floors or cleaning walls and cupboards... but I never finish any of it because I find something else that has to be done, like cleaning windows, fixing a broken bicykle, dirty cloths, dishes, changing curtains.

[Nucking_Futs]

lmbo changing curtains...I decided to totally re-decorate my entire house right smack in the middle of my last pregnancy...high risk be darned I needed a fresh new house lol luckily I have a hubby who humors me.