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When you get pregnant, your ADHD symptoms might fluctuate. Specifically, hormonal changes in your body could cause symptoms to strengthen during your first trimester, drop during your second and third trimesters, and surge again after you give birth. If you’re already pregnant or expecting to be, follow along as I provide some helpful advice for navigating pregnancy with ADHD.
Understand How Pregnancy Affects ADHD
Pregnancy brings about a whirlwind of changes, and your ADHD isn’t unaffected. To get a tad scientific, it’s known that hormones can impact ADHD. When you’re pregnant, estrogen and progesterone are the main culprits. More specifically, high estrogen levels soften symptoms, and lower levels strengthen them. Similarly, high progesterone levels increase symptoms.
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In the first trimester, increased progesterone levels can cause a spike in your symptoms. Then, as estrogen levels get higher throughout the second and third trimesters, your ADHD might appear milder. Finally, once you give birth, symptoms often return full force.
You might be thinking, “What can I do to handle this change?” Don’t worry, girlfriend; keep reading for some tips.
Know That You Can Keep Taking Medication
You might worry you have to stop taking your ADHD medication once pregnant, but that’s not the case. Though it’s not known definitively, the FDA has not found any ADHD medication to be harmful to pregnant women.
If you would feel more comfortable not taking anything, then that’s okay! However, you would be fine to continue medication if you want that support.
Rely on Your Trusted Techniques
You’ve lived for a long time with ADHD, so you, like me, probably have plenty of little tricks to help you stay on top of your day-to-day. Well, now is the time to take full advantage of these hacks!
Whether it’s creating checklists, decluttering your environment, or setting reminders on your phone, continue relying on these strategies. They will be very useful when your symptoms spike and help you feel calmer and more in control during your pregnancy.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask for Help
Finally, pregnancy is an overwhelming time! There is so much happening to your emotions and body that keeping up with it all by yourself can be too much. Well, I’ve learned that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but rather a strength, especially during pregnancy.
Your friends and family are great resources, but you might also consider hiring professional help, such as a midwife. Midwives offer tremendous support, providing personalized care and guidance throughout your entire pregnancy. They are there to answer questions, calm your nerves, and be a day-to-day support. Midwives even play a role in postpartum care, meaning you won’t have to jump into newborn care and re-spiked ADHD symptoms alone.
Alright, that’s all I have for now. I hope you found this advice for navigating pregnancy with ADHD helpful. Remember that you’re not alone and that you’re capable—you’ve got this, mama!
