Adderall and pregnancy

Ok, I have been on adderall for 13-15 years (can't remember). It is something I take (15mg 3x's day) everyday as a necessity to be a functioning wife, mother, and business owner. I also started welbutrine (150mg/day) about 7 years ago. For my first pregnancy my OB said to immediately stop both. So I went through "detox" for aboout 3-4 weeks. On the 2 meds for the first 3-4 weeks of pregnancy. Turns out at 7 1/2 months i got pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure), went on bed rest but still had to be induced 3 weeks and 4 days early. I gave birth to a very healthy little boy! I stayed off my meds while i nursed for 13 months. During that time i nearly lost my business and my husband started drinking heavily. When I stopped nusing i started back on my meds, got my company going again and told my precious husband, that i have always adored, to stop drinking, get help, or get out. He stopped drinking and is back to his amazing self!!

Second pregnancy - Went through "detox" same as first time at beginning of prgnancy and stayed off while I nursed for 10 months. **I say stayed off but during pregnancy I would take it occasionally and 1/2 the dose when life was spinning completely out of control. Another health boy! I wanted to stop nursing this time at about 4 or 5 months because of the difficulty of caring for a baby and a 3 year old. But due to "Mommy Guilt" I kept going until my three year old asked me "Mommy why are you always so 'ferusterated' ?" Stopped nursing and got back on meds that day!

After begging my husband for a year and a half I am pregnant with our 3rd BOY! (he said that he didn't think HE could go through another pregnancy :-D ) I have a new OB, new psychiatrist and new method of meds during pregnancy. Since welbutrine has concentrating agent in it they upped it to 450mgs / day and 5mgs of adderall as NEEDED. But discouraged the adderall at all during first trimester. Its not perfect and demands a ton of effort, lists, and family help but its better than nothing.

Example of NEEDING it - went to Disney World last week, did not think I would need to take it on "vacation". HA! After losing my 3 year old for the SECOND time I took my adderall while we were at the park!!

Even though it makes me sad, my plan is not to nurse this baby. Neither adderall or Welbutrine can be taken while nursing. After baby is born I plan to taper back down on welbutrine and start my adderall as soon as this baby takes his first breath!!!!

***My advise: Weigh the benifits of adderall and the stress (not good for baby) of not being on it against the possible dangers. Take it only when necessary and don't over do it. Even though it is hard, you want the best thing for your baby! Also ask your doc about possibly switching to ritalin during pregnancy or about wellbutrine.**Make sure your OB understands ADD/ADHD and that you truly are!! That this is not just a pregnancy thing. Chang OB if you need to (and don't feel like a "druggy" if you do). Try your best not to take it duing first trimester. I promise its not easy, but being ADD you are tough and used to dealing with and overcomming challenges and difficulties!! If possible HIRE A HOUSEKEEPER DURING PREGNANCY who picks up, cleans, washes and puts away clothes, changes sheets and does dishes. (have her come on Mondays to give you a fresh start every week) This is worth eating PB&Js every night for dinner!! Eat on paper plates (less dishes) and keep your car and purse cleaned out as much as possible. I know this sounds crazy but the less chaos, messyness and confusion the better you will function!!!

Wishing you all the best !!!

I am about 5 1/2 months pregnant. My periods have always been off due to different things..may not get it the next month but will get it the first week of the month after. Anyway, I was about due for it and waited a week or two to get a pregnancy test just in case. Turns out, it was positive and i was about 2 months pregnant. I was taking vicoden and occassionally would take a percocet for pain (not knowing i was pregnant). I kept taking the vicoden because it was SO hard to get out of bed, or walk up a flight of steps and that would help me do daily things that i took for granted. I also worked at a call center which basically was the middle man between patients and doctors, including obgyn. A few calls I got, the pregnant ladies were on vicoden. Not a lot, obviously, but normal to less dosage. This made me feel a little better, and I wasn't sick, had the symptoms that pregnancy gives you, eating right, TRYING to sleep etc.. I've been to the doctor a few times and each time he's told me the heartbeat was perfect..the measurements were perfect..no deformations.. everything was good. I'm not really gaining that much weight, but I'm originally about 130lbs and 5'7, and I guess now is the time i should be gaining much weight. The other day I was at work and had no energy whatsoever, but had to tough it out. A friend gave me an adderall which made it easy to focus on work instead of how bad my back/feet hurt. I was scared since that's basically speed, but i have an appt in a few days and hope i get good news again. Reading all these posts definitely helped calm me down. I have been drinking alot more water and eat extremely good anyway. Just waiting for ultrasound for sex and this next dr's appt. *fingers crossed* everything's good. I would feel SOOO bad if something developed badly all because mommy wasn't thinking.

***edited by moderator*** web addresses not allowed
Google amphetamine salts use while pregnant (that is what adderall is) I am planning on becoming pregnant and have decided to stop taking it all together. I have found great alternatives and coping methods in the book "Chill out and get healthy" by Aimme Rauup. I highly recommend this book for all women trying to get healthy to become pregnant or just trying to get a natural grip on their health!

I used to take adderall and stoped when my husband and i decided to get pregnant. To all the woman out there that are going crazy without the drug-- try natural vitamins!! I started taking "L-Theanine" with gaba.. it calms the brain and helps with focus. My doctor said it was great while pregnant and I took it 3x a day while pregnant. sometimes 2 at night if i were going crazy.. it really worked and there is other stuff at the vitamin store you can try. this one worked wonders for me and now that my perfectly healthy baby is born, im still on the vitamins instead of going back on the adderall.

I have been taking adderall for almost 9 years, to help with my Narcolepsy. I was taking 40mg a day prior to finding out I was pregnant. I started to slowly decrease my dosage as soon as I found out and made an appointment for the doctor. Upon my visit to the doctor she agreed that taking adderal in small doses only as needed would be more beneficial then not taking it due to the narcolepsy. She also said that her sister had taken adderall throughh her whole pregnancy and had a very healthy baby. I know it is taking a risk and I am trying so very hard not to take it, but when I need to drive or be awake to take care of my 2 year old it seems worth the risk although I am still scared that something will be wrong with my unborn child. i hope and pray for the Class C to have no effect on my situation. It is really a risk and unknown risk at that. if you can go without taking it, then do it.3

I just wanted to say that I took Adderrall (60 mg/day!) before I found out I was pregnant back in November 2007. I took it (60 mg/day!) until I was 6 weeks, and there was no problem with my baby. In fact she was born healthy as a horse and she's smart as a whip. She otherwise has my flat feet and childhood chub chub, but it's clear that Adderall had no effect on her. But I was freaking at the time, and now I'm annoyed i ever did, and wish someone could have calmed me down at the time. So if someone who took Adderall tells you they had complications, please don't connect it to their use of Adderall, because my story (and a few other people I know) seem to show that it has no effect that early in the game (if at all). Babies are wonderful! ;-)

That is so great to hear! I know this isn't an answer to the original post but I just have a quick question (it's something I just really couldn't find at ALL on the internet). Did Adderall dull the effects of pregnancy the first few weeks and is that why you didn't know you were preggo till 6 weeks after????? I am prescribed 20mg. My cycle usually is random but I took a preg test and received a multitude of negs but I just feel like something is different...lotsa heartburn,tummy seems to hurt more than normal.Is it possible for adderall to give you a false negative result? I just NEED someone to give me some insight on my situation and you seem to know quite a bit!!! Answer back ASAP! :) Thanks,A$h.

Nothing in my experience suggested that it had an effect on the levels of hcg in my body. I think I did not know I was pregnant because I had bad pms before my pregnancy (not since!) and thought the boobs hurting, etc., was just pms. Also the Adderall may have been masking my hunger, etc., and frankly I am always a little nauseas in the morning before I eat. But it was the first and only pregnancy test that I took (other than later at the doctor's office) so I have no way of knowing if it masked my hcg. The baby was not planned at all, and we had sex a while before I ovulated (although I was not tracking it so I don't know specifically, we were newly married) so it was not on my radar to take a pregnancy test until I did. But as far as pregnancy tests are concerned, it's common to feel serious symptoms (boobs hurting, heartburn, backache, even a sore ovary) about a week before your hcg levels will be high enough to give a positive reading on a pregnancy test, and even then you need to test first urine. I hope that helps :_)

I am a urologist and I just want you to know that PUV (posterior urethral valves) are not too uncommon in first born children and there is also a genetic component. Trust me that you did not cause this. You can speak to other pediatric Urologists if you need confirmation. When I was in med school I saw babies delivered whose moms did everything wrong in pregnancy and things still turned out ok. Please release your guilt and trust that God has a plan for everything even when we can not see it. And God is always good. I hope you find healing and know that it was not your fault. These things do happen unfortunately so. Trust.
God bless you

Just because someone else 's baby came out find dont mean yours will.
Taken any drug while your pregant isnt good. So be carefull:

Hi, I am in the middle of my 7th week, and am not finished with my final semester in college until May 13th, and I was taking Adderall daily (25 mg) in the first 6 1/2 weeks (I did not yet know that I was pregnant), and I am finding it nearly impossible to stay awake to do my homework, be attentive in class, etc., so I have been looking into the effects, and came across this:

Wow I know that was over 2 years ago but if you do read this RattleOn: I have a son who also had PUV. It caused him to be born 11 weeks early & he weighed only 2 lbs. His kidneys are damaged & he's had over 13 surgeries for various things that being born that early can cause. He's 14 years old now and I know I'm lucky to have him. I did not drink or take any prescription pills throughout my entire pregnancy with him, so you did absolutely nothing wrong! It's just something that happens sometimes. I'm reading this forum now because I have been on Adderall for a while I & just found out that I'm going to have baby #5. Totally unexpected & complicated, I was scheduled to get my tubes tied in 2 weeks!  %-)

Hi Everyone,

I have recently found myself in a similar situation and also struggled with this question. Although each of our situations varies in different ways I feel that I may be able to help those of you who are still in need. 

Call (1-866-626-6847). The company name is Otis and they specialize in abnormal growth and development during pregnancy. They will ask what state you live in and direct you to the correct service associated with your area. For instance, if you live in the New England area you would be connected to The Pregnancy Exposure Information Hotline. Some have different titles but all specialize in this sort of thing. It is CONFIDENTIAL.

They are very understanding, non judgmental and deal with women in our situations on a daily basis. They are very professional and will address each individual’s situation accordingly. If they do not answer immediately, leave your name and number and someone WILL get back to you. Be honest and tell them all of your exposure concerns (alcohol, medications, drugs etc.) They will give you very helpful information immediately and even tell you the risks in a percentage. They will also connect you with professionals in your area IF you want and send reliable information regarding your concerns.

 

Personally I was connected with a specialist in my area but also had my anxiety reduced immediately. I felt well cared for and was even given her direct number in case of any further questions.

 

I urge you to utilize this resource since it is easy, at no cost and very helpful.  I wish you all the best.

 

Hi Everyone,

I have recently found myself in a similar situation and also struggled with this question. Although each of our situations varies in different ways I feel that I may be able to help those of you who are still in need. 

Call (1-866-626-6847). The company name is Otis and they specialize in abnormal growth and development during pregnancy. They will ask what state you live in and direct you to the correct service associated with your area. For instance, if you live in the New England area you would be connected to The Pregnancy Exposure Information Hotline. Some have different titles but all specialize in this sort of thing. It is CONFIDENTIAL.

They are very understanding, non judgmental and deal with women in our situations on a daily basis. They are very professional and will address each individual’s situation accordingly. If they do not answer immediately, leave your name and number and someone WILL get back to you. Be honest and tell them all of your exposure concerns (alcohol, medications, drugs etc.) They will give you very helpful information immediately and even tell you the risks in a percentage. They will also connect you with professionals in your area IF you want and send reliable information regarding your concerns.

 

Personally I was connected with a specialist in my area but also had my anxiety reduced immediately. I felt well cared for and was even given her direct number in case of any further questions.

 

I urge you to utilize this resource since it is easy, at no cost and very helpful.  I wish you all the best.

I am 20 years old and have been taking 40mg of Adderall XR daily or other similar stimulants treating ADHD since age 4 (16 years) I am now pregnant My doctor recommended that I stay on the medication during pregnancy. I am 26 weeks along so far my baby boy's heart is strong and he is completely healthy as far as the doctors can see. The doctor monitors his heart a lot more than a normal pregnant person due to the adderall and his fathers family heart history. Is there anyone that has taken adderall throughout there entire pregnancy and how is your child now?