Was anyone on Bets Blockers during pregnancy??

[Writerwannabe83]

I have a pre-existing heart condition and prior to pregnancy I was taking a Beta Blocker called Bisoprolol for arrhythmia. When me and DH decided to TTC I came off the drug (due to unknown risks about it causing malformations) but understood that if my heart started playing up again then I'd have to go back on them.

I'm almost 22 weeks pregnant and yesterday my obstetrician decided to restart me on my Bisporpolol due to cardiac symptoms I am having - however she has put me on a smaller dose than the one I was on previously. She said that as I'm over 20 weeks there will be no risk of any damage being caused to the baby and that a lot of women actually take Beta Blockers during pregnancy (usually for high BP though) and that the only potential issue is IUGR. This will be monitored with 4 weekly scans.

I'm trying not to worry myself too much.....but it is on my mind a little. Had anyone here been on Beta Blocker and gone on to have a healthy and happy baby? I am also concerned that I won't be allowed to breast feed on them

Hmmm, I was taking them for anxiety but was told not to when I fell pregnant and to use benzodiazepines instead. But having a heart condition is a bit different and there may not be alternatives. The first trimester seems to be the riskiest in terms of taking medication. I'm sorry I don't have any positive stories, but there are lots of people on different medications which are risky during pregnancy and they have babies who turn out just perfect. I'm hoping to be one of them as I'm on an antidepressant which causes a number of risks, but I have been a slave to Google and found lots of positive stories, so hopefully someone else will have one for you x

Labetalol is a beta blocker that is used regularly in pregnancy for high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia so other drugs in the class are used. I'm on methyldopa instead for pre existing high BP but as far as I know labetalol is very widely prescribed and recommended in the NICE guidelines.

Looking at the info bisoprolol is FDA category C, so there is no evidence for fetal malformation in animal studies but no human studies.... Common with many drugs. The UK teratology service info is here www.uktis.org/docs/bisoprolol.pdf

I know it sounds scary but most of a baby's structural development is in the first 16 weeks or so, so the chances of the drug causing any malformation now is very low. And it sounds like you need the treatment. Your extra scans will keep an eye on growth. Any other side effects (if there are any) will wear off within a few days of birth. Although it looks like you might need to have a decent chat with your consultant about breastfeeding as bisoprolol isn't recommended by LactMed - toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~cMgwbP:1

My Obstetrician did mention Labetalol but after talking to a Cardiologist opted for Bisoprolol instead - I'm assuming because it's what I was on before and they I didn't have any side effects on it. I am on a tiny dose (dosage can go up to 20mg but I'm only on 1.5mg) and am being reviewed by the Cardiologist in 3 weeks. I will speak to her about breast feeding and it may be that I can either come off the drug a week before the baby is born for example, or maybe because I'm on such a tiny dose it won't be risky breast feeding on it. Fingers crossed!

I was on a much higher dose of atenolol through both my pregnancies due to a pre existing condition. DD1 was delivered slightly early due to IUGR. She was small but very healthy and is now a tall, strong 4 year old. DD2 grew steadily throughout and made it to term, was dinky but again healthy and is now a menace of a toddler. There was no question of me not taking this drug during pregnancy, and whilst some of the midwives and less experienced doctors raised their eyebrows, the consultants and professor who developed my care plan were adamant that this was the right approach.
I hope that helps and good luck!

Ps - also breastfed without any issues!

Thanks for that Thermo and I'm glad both your babies were born healthy and well. Even though I've only been taking the medication for 4 days I can already feel an improvement in my condition so I know the right decision has been made. I did really want to get through the whole of my pregnancy without needing to go back on them but such is life. I will just have to hope that everything is ok at my growth scans and worry about breast feeding when the time comes.

The pharmacist at BreastFeeding Network gave me some good advice, and was contrary to all the scaremongering on google so worth giving them a call when you are ready. Good luck!

Not quite the same but I have been quite unwell recently and have had a lot of tests and drugs that are often avoided in pregnancy, after discussion with my obs and medical consultant the risks now, I was 28w at the time, were less as baby is developed and is just growing now. I wasn't overly keen but I decided I needed to be well to grow the baby a bit more!! Glad you're starting to feel better

Lots of good advice already so just to add my experience. I developed gestational hypertension in the final weeks so took lobital until a week after DD was born. Breastfed her for a year.

YY to the pharmacist mentioned unthread. She is often referenced on the breastfeeding forum here and is a real expert. You can also have a look on the American site LactMed which examines known effects of prescription and over the counter drugs on breastmilk production.

Thank you for your continued responses and your tip to contact the Breast Feeding Network. I'm like you mrsspencer in that I'm reluctant to take the drugs but my Obstetrician keeps telling me that I need to be healthy myself in order to produce a healthy baby, lol