Tips For Managing An ADHD Pregnancy

Being pregnant tends to involve a lot of considerations: going to doctor’s appointments, eating the right foods, managing medication, planning for when the baby is born, and more. These responsibilities can be a lot for anyone, but having ADHD may make them even more challenging. Add in the possibility of health complications, and things can quickly become overwhelming. You may find it helpful to work closely with your doctor, create routines, practice self-care, manage stress, and attend regular therapy sessions.

ADHD at a glance

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which generally means that it’s a disorder affecting the way the brain develops. Usually diagnosed during childhood, it can contribute to challenges with attention, energy management, impulse control, and more. It’s been estimated that as many as 6.7% of adults worldwide could be living with ADHD. 

Depending on the person, ADHD symptoms can manifest in one of three ways: inattentiveness (trouble paying attention), hyperactivity and impulsiveness (trouble controlling energy and urges), or a combination of the two. 

Some examples of inattentiveness can include the following:

• Frequently forgetting or losing things
• Making frequent “careless” mistakes at school or work
• Frequently “spacing out” or daydreaming
• Having a hard time getting started on challenging tasks
• Losing focus easily

In contrast, some examples of hyperactivity and impulsiveness may include those listed below:

• Frequently being restless or unable to sit still
• Blurting things out or interrupting others
• Having a hard time relaxing or staying quiet
• Taking unnecessary risks
• Having intense mood swings or emotional responses

Left untreated, ADHD symptoms like these can lead to challenges in one’s personal and professional life. However, these symptoms can often be managed through a combination of therapy, lifestyle changes, and doctor-prescribed medication. 

Possible ADHD pregnancy complications

If you have ADHD and you’re pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, it can be natural to wonder whether there are any pregnancy-related issues of which to be aware. 

Pregnancy itself can be challenging to manage for people with ADHD, which may make it harder to stay on top of doctors’ appointments, manage nutrition and exercise, remember to take medications, and more. 

Several studies have investigated the effects of adult ADHD on pregnant and postpartum women and their babies. In a 2022 study, researchers looked at the medical records of 45,737 pregnant women with ADHD and compared them to records from women without ADHD. They found that those with ADHD tended to have a higher risk of complications like the following:

• Depression during the postpartum period (the period after childbirth)
• High blood pressure during pregnancy
• Malnutrition
• Premature birth
• Diabetes during pregnancy

Another topic to explore may be the role that ADHD medication use may play in pregnancy outcomes. In a study published in 2018, researchers analyzed data from a nationwide study on birth defects in the U.S. They found that taking ADHD medications during early pregnancy tended to be associated with an increased risk of selected birth defects. 

It may be important to remember that there’s still a lot we don’t know about the relationship between pregnancy and ADHD. If you have concerns about how ADHD might affect your pregnancy, it can be important to talk to your doctor.

Tips for managing pregnancy when you have ADHD

Being pregnant and living with ADHD can pose unique challenges, but with the right support and lifestyle changes, you may be able to manage your symptoms while supporting your mental and physical health. Read on for several tips that may help you navigate this stage of life.

Work with your doctor

If you’ve been prescribed ADHD medication, your doctor may suggest that you stop taking it or adjust your dosage. However, in cases of severe ADHD, changing your medication during pregnancy may not be a good idea. That’s why it can be especially important to consult a medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Your doctor may be able to recommend an approach that’s right for you based on your medical history, mental health, and other risk factors. 

Create routines where possible

Establishing habits and routines can often make ADHD symptoms easier to manage, so see if you can find ways to use these tools for pregnancy-related responsibilities. This may mean:

• Going to bed and getting up at the same time each day
• Setting alarms to remind you to eat and take breaks
• Scheduling doctors’ appointments on specific days and times to make them easier to remember
• Taking medications and prenatal vitamins at the same time each day
• Taking notes or making recordings during doctor’s visits so you don’t miss any instructions

You may find that the more healthy habits you build, the more easily you can manage your pregnancy, even with ADHD.  

Take care of yourself

Practicing self-care can be important for reducing ADHD symptoms, but it can also be vital for supporting your well-being during pregnancy. That’s why you may want to consider:

• Maintaining balanced eating habits rich in healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables
• Getting exercise that’s appropriate for where you are in your pregnancy
• Drinking plenty of water
• Practicing good sleep hygiene, such as avoiding screen time before bed and sleeping in a cool, dark environment

In addition to living a healthy lifestyle, it can also be important to make sure you’re following your doctor’s instructions. 

Take steps to manage stress

Stress can exacerbate the effects of ADHD. It can also have negative health effects, which is why it may help to develop a stress-management routine when you’re pregnant. Some ideas include the following:

• Practicing meditation, which may help with focus, relaxation, and emotional awareness
• Journaling, which can be useful for organizing your thoughts and making sense of your emotions
• Taking a short break when you find yourself in a stressful situation
• Using grounding techniques like mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation, and breathing exercises when you’re feeling overwhelmed

Whether ADHD or pregnancy itself is causing you stress, getting ahead of it with the right methods may benefit your well-being over the course of your pregnancy. 

Struggling to manage an ADHD pregnancy?

Get help from a licensed therapist online

Get outside help

Managing ADHD can be challenging on its own, but if you’re also pregnant, you might find that you need more than just the support of your doctor. Working with a therapist may help you develop strategies for staying healthy while managing your ADHD symptoms. 

However, if you’re already juggling doctor’s appointments and other responsibilities, it can be hard to find the time to commute to a therapist’s office each week. In these cases, online therapy may come in handy. With platforms like BetterHelp, you can see a therapist without having to leave the house. This may be especially useful if you’re managing both pregnancy and ADHD. 

Studies show that online therapy can be an effective form of mental health support during pregnancy. In a 2023 review, researchers looked at data from 44 studies of internet-based mental health treatments for pregnant women and new mothers. They found that online therapy led to significant mental health improvements in the majority of cases.