Not intentional scaremongering but just wanted to tell all you lovely ladies who are taking beta blockers and planning to bf what happened to us...
Was prescribed beta blockers (high dose) when 28 weeks pg for very high blood pressure. Was obviously worried about the effects on the baby but docs reassured me that they were the drug of choice and that everything would be fine.
Had to have emcs at 34 weeks because of bp - baby small but fine thankfully!
Spent 2 weeks in scbu - encouraged to express for initial tube feeds then to establish bf - everything was fab - bf went well. Weight gain was slow but apparently thats usual with premmies. I was still taking the beta blockers...
We brought ds home and were loving being a family. Weight-gain still slow but no major concerns from hv etc (weren't given follow up from scbu!). Noticed that his feet were swollen on day 10 of him being home - mentioned it at the weigh in at baby club to midwife and hv and was told to 'keep an eye on it'.
fastforward to that evening - ds fed fine all day / early evening but we couldnt rouse him enough to take a night-time feed. Noticed that his feet were even more swollen and that he was colder and less responsive than usual.
Dashed to A&E where he was admitted to hospital, given (4 :( ) attempted lumbar punches (sp?) and put on a drip. Mentioned the beta blockers and me bf him but was told that they wouldn't affect him.
We spent 2 weeks in hospital - He was a 'mystery' to the doctors and had every test done under the sun (more lps, daily bloods, brain scan, heart scan, eye exams....). His blood sugar, temp, liver function, platelets (sp?) etc were through the floor. He was on the verge of going into a diabetic coma.
Mentioned beta blockers to several doctors who dismissed my concerns till the 6th day when one started to research it. Turns out that every symptom he had could be put down to the tablets - no known cases of breast milk affecting babies BUT after stopping bf (heartbreaking) his symptoms all disappeared!
A sample of my milk has been sent for testing but no confirmation as yet although 4 consultants have told us that they'd definitely put it down to that.
I must stress that I DO NOT BLAME anyone for this - if his illness was down to my bm being affected by the beta blockers then we totally accept that it's rare and nobodys fault. However I do want people to be aware if they are taking beta blockers and planning to bf.
Btw - ds is now thriving, back home and putting on lots of weight :)