What does taking ritalin (methylphenidate) do to the fetus?

Ritalin (methylphenidate) & pregnancy: There is little human data about Ritalin (methylphenidate) in pregnancy. What's available includes 69 case studies, in which 1 cardiac defect was reported. http://tinyurl.com/mr59qmy none of the studies was powered well enough to draw clear conclusions, or to say Ritalin (methylphenidate) is safe in pregnancy. Most physicians would recommend not using it in pregnancy, unless there would be clear detriment to the mother off of it.

Category C: The FDA considers Ritalin (methylphenidate) to be in Category C for pregnancy. there is not enough to evidence to say it is absolutely safe but there is no evidence that is causes birth defects at a rate greater than expected in the general population.