Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) before, during and after pregnancy

On this page

What is ADHD?

Planning a pregnancy with ADHD

During pregnancy

Preparing for the birth

After your baby is born

Breastfeeding

Will my baby have ADHD?

More information and support

What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects behaviour, and can lead to difficulties with daily tasks.  

Around 1 in every 20 children, and 1 in 30 adults have ADHD. 

The most common symptoms in women and birthing people are ongoing difficulties with keeping attention focused, organisation and planning. Some may also be restless and impulsive.      

Symptoms can improve as you get older, but often continue through life. Everyone is different, but women and birthing people with ADHD may:  

• find it hard to focus
• be forgetful
• lose track of time
• put off starting or finishing tasks 
• be easily distracted
• feel restless
• be impatient when waiting
• interrupt or talk over other people
• have mood swings
• have difficulty falling asleep 
• find it hard to deal with stress
• take risks without thinking about their safety, or other people’s safety.  

Some women and birthing people prefer to manage any symptoms without ADHD medication. Others feel if they stop their medication their symptoms could get worse. However, research does not show that ADHD symptoms change during pregnancy.  

People with ADHD may also have other conditions such as anxiety, depression, or autism. Women and birthing people with ADHD have a higher risk of postnatal depression. 

This is because they commonly experience anxiety and depression before being pregnant which increases the risk of postnatal depression.

If you’re worried about how pregnancy might affect your mental health, see our page on planning a pregnancy when you have a mental health condition.

Planning a pregnancy with ADHD

If you plan to get pregnant, speak to your doctor before stopping contraception. They can help make sure you have the healthiest possible pregnancy. 

Planning your pregnancy will give you time to make sure you’re on the right type and dose of medication. This will reduce any risks to you and your baby.  

If you take medication for your ADHD, your doctor may advise you to stop taking it, or change what type you’re taking. This is because we don’t fully know how drugs to manage ADHD could affect an unborn baby.  

Do not stop taking your ADHD medication before talking to your doctor.  This could make your symptoms come back or get worse.

If you need to keep taking ADHD medication during pregnancy, your ADHD specialist or psychiatric perinatal team may suggest methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine/dexamphetamine. 

Atomoxetine is another medication sometimes used for ADHD. There has been more research into the effect of these medicines during pregnancy, so doctors know more about their safety.

Talking therapy may also help you cope with ADHD symptoms during pregnancy. If you think this could help you, talk to your doctor about it.

If you decide to stop your ADHD medication altogether but start to have symptoms of depression, talk to your doctor. 

Some ADHD medication helps with depression too so coming off it could make your mental health worse. If this is the case your doctor may recommend starting it again. 

They will help you weigh up the risks and benefits of restarting medication. 

If you are already pregnant, tell your midwife or healthcare team straight away.  Don’t stop taking your medication until it’s been reviewed by a healthcare professional. Stopping it may not be safe for you or your baby.

During pregnancy

Let your midwife and health visitor know you have ADHD, so they can give you extra support. They could give you written notes to help you remember what has been said during your antenatal (pregnancy care) appointments. They may also text you to remind you of your next appointment.  

You may find it helpful to write a list of questions to take to your appointments.

Pregnancy can be tough and it’s natural for pregnant people to feel emotional at times. But if your ADHD or other symptoms are having a major impact on your daily life while you’re pregnant, tell your doctor or midwife. They can help you get the support you need. 

Preparing for the birth

You may find it helpful to prepare for the birth in the weeks and months before your baby is due. For example, you might like to review your birth plan with your midwife.

In later pregnancy, write a list of things you need to get for your baby, and pack an overnight bag for the hospital. Save the phone numbers for the labour ward and midwives in your mobile phone.

If you have any questions or concerns about caring for your baby, contact your doctor, midwife or health visitor. There’s lots of support on offer.

After your baby is born

Having a new baby can be a very challenging time. It may require lots of organisation and planning, which can be harder to manage if you have ADHD.  

Your ADHD specialist, psychiatric perinatal team and/or health visitor will continue to support you after your baby is born. If you’re a first-time young parent, you may also see a family nurse, who can offer support.

If you have any questions or concerns about caring for your baby, contact your doctor, midwife or health visitor. There’s lots of support on offer.

Breastfeeding

Your ADHD specialist or psychiatric perinatal team will explain the risks and benefits of taking ADHD medication if you choose to breastfeed. You can ask them to write it all down so you can read it at home.

Small amounts of many ADHD medicines pass into breast milk. For full term and normal birth weight babies, the risk is low but it isn’t clear whether they affect the baby.

You may need to change the dose or type of your medication.  

Some medicines are not recommended when you’re breastfeeding. If you’re taking these, your doctor will advise changing what you take.  

Your health visitor or doctor will check your baby to make sure the medication isn’t causing them any health problems.  

If you choose not to breastfeed, your midwife and health visitor will support you with formula feeding. Or you may decide to mix breast and bottle feeding. Your healthcare team will support you with whatever you decide is best for you and your baby.

Will my baby have ADHD?

ADHD does tend to run in families. So, if you or your child’s other biological parent has ADHD, there’s a higher chance that your child will have ADHD or traits of the disorder too. But that doesn’t mean they’ll have it. 

For most people, the chance of having a child with ADHD is about 1 in 20. When a parent has ADHD, the chance may rise to about 4-8 in 20. More research is being done to confirm this.

Your baby may also have a higher risk of ADHD if:

• they’re born prematurely (before 37 weeks pregnant)
• they have a low birthweight
• they have epilepsy or brain damage.  
  
  If you think your child might have ADHD, speak to your doctor or health visitor for support.

More information and support

AADD-UK is a charity for adults living with ADHD. They have a list of ADHD support groups across the UK.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists provides further information for adults with ADHD.

You can also call the Tommy's Midwives' Helpline for free from 9-5, Monday to Friday. The line is staffed by our specialist team of midwives, for anyone who needs advice, reassurance or support on any pregnancy or planning for pregnancy issue.

Call 0800 0147 800 or email [email protected].