Shields, N., Muza, R., Kosky, C., & Williams, A. J. (2012). An Investigation into the Use of Stimulant Therapy during Pregnancy. Sleep Disorders, 2012, 308952. http://doi.org/10.1155/2012/308952
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3581134/?report=classic
With only a small amount of research, evidence, and outcomes available, the struggle for relief from the effects of narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia during pregnancy continues to grow and the need for pharmacological treatment is crucial. The effects pregnancy can have on a woman throughout pregnancy and after delivery can be substantial, with or without the use of medication used to excessive daytime sleepiness. The quality of life can be uncomfortable enough for a woman while she is pregnant, much less with a sleep disorder at the same time. This becomes more and more difficult on a woman physically, mentally, and emotionally when she is facing both conditions at the same time. Women often may feel “At the end of their rope” when it comes to enduring both pregnancy and a sleep disorder at the same time, especially with minimal help from medical professionals when it comes down to prescribing medications to promote relief and wellness..
With stimulant medication, the expectant woman can maintain most of her normal, daily routine throughout pregnancy. However, if the expectant decides to remain on a stimulant medication, this can place a risk of tetrogenic effects on the unborn baby. Due to the lack of research and uniform guidelines for stimulant medication used for sleep disorders during pregnancy, the tetrogenic effects are not well known. Without stimulant medication, expecting women can suffer from life-threatening, inevitable, and random sleep attacks, excessive sleepiness, and are at risk for injury to self or others, due to exhaustion. The incapability to perform activities of daily living while pregnant occur, such fear of drowning during a bath, falling in the shower, driving, cooking, or cleaning. Due to the lack of understanding by the employer, some women may even have to quit their jobs. This lack of a woman’s independence can add additional stress to her, the fetus, as well as friends and family that are needed for help.
Women that have a diagnosis of narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia that are currently expecting or wish to become pregnant are left to make life-changing decisions without much help from medical professionals, due to the lack of information and evidence on the use of pharmacological stimulants during pregnancy. These decisions are between the choices of continuing or discontinuing pharmacological therapy during pregnancy. Currently, there would be negative effects from either choice on both the expecting mother and the unborn baby.
With stimulant medication, the expectant woman can maintain most of her normal, daily routine throughout pregnancy. However, if the expectant decides to remain on a stimulant medication, this can place a risk of tetrogenic effects on the unborn baby. Due to the lack of research and uniform guidelines for stimulant medication used for sleep disorders during pregnancy, the tetrogenic effects are not well known. Without stimulant medication, expecting women can suffer from life-threatening, inevitable, and random sleep attacks, excessive sleepiness, and are at risk for injury to self or others, due to exhaustion. The incapability to perform activities of daily living while pregnant occur, such fear of drowning during a bath, falling in the shower, driving, cooking, or cleaning. Due to the lack of understanding by the employer, some women may even have to quit their jobs. This lack of a woman’s independence can add additional stress to her, the fetus, as well as friends and family that are needed for help.
Women that have a diagnosis of narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia that are currently expecting or wish to become pregnant are left to make life-changing decisions without much help from medical professionals, due to the lack of information and evidence on the use of pharmacological stimulants during pregnancy. These decisions are between the choices of continuing or discontinuing pharmacological therapy during pregnancy. Currently, there would be negative effects from either choice on both the expecting mother and the unborn baby.
