Pregnancy and Beta Blockers

[Writerwannabe83]

Hello everyone, I'm not sure if I should be posting here or if anyone can help, but I'm desperate for any advice.

I have got epilepsy and a history of SVT (cardiac problem) and me and my husband are going to start trying for our first baby. I have had lots of Specialist Support about my epilepsy and the risks my medication may pose, but I'm concerned about the medication I take for my heart : a Beta Blocker called Bisoprolol. Things I have read on the Internet say it shouldn't be taken during pregnancy but both my Cardiologist and Cardiac Specialist Nurse were very dismissive and told me it shouldn't be a problem.

Are there any women on here who are pregnant or aka Bea Blockers, or have had a previous baby on them?

Thanks in advance for any advice given x x

Hi, I don't know how much I can help as its not personal experience but one of my closest mum friends has a heart condition and suffered from epilepsy as a child.

She takes beta-blockers, not sure which and has 2 sons, she took her medication throughout both pregnancies. Her first son was born about 3 weeks early and was 4lb odd by emergency c-section but u would never know he was that small at birth as he is a big healthy 3 year old now!

Her 2nd son was born by c section again, this time her choice, and was 4lb 9oz. So the effects of her medication were just that her babies were small, they have both caught up size wise with other children no problem. They have both inherited their mum's heart condition and are too on beta-blockers but the older son has no problems joining in running around with my son and their friends.

Also my younger sis has severe epilepsy and has also been warned about the effects of her medication if she were to fall pregnant but apparently she is on the worst kind for causing defects (epilim chrono-slow release)??? But docs have said to her there is a med she can change to throughout pregnancy that is safer, she's only 19 tho so not even thinking of babies anytime soon but they just liked to warn her if she were to have an unplanned pregnancy or know that she needs to alert them if she's thinking of trying to get pregnant.

Hope this helps a bit x

Hi Trudy, thank you for response, it has really helped.

The information I have seen on the internet about my Beta Blockers does say about Intra Uterine Growth Retardation and so babies have to be monitored closely and delivered by C-Section if they seem to stop growing - so I guess that fits in well with your post. I can cope with that I guess and it was very reassuring to hear that both babies caught up with their growth following birth. Thankfully the condition I have isn't of a genetic nature - that would be just one more obstacle for me to fret about.

The drug I take for my epilepsy is called Lamotrigine and is the safest one to take during pregnancy. The risk of any birth defect is only 0.6% higher than the average healthy woman, so pretty good odds I think. I have been seizure free for 7 years now so am considered low risk in terms of complications - though I will have to have the baby at a specific hospital as they have a specialist epilepsy nurse and a gynaecologist who specialises in women with epilepsy giving birth.

So I guess there are lots of positive factors - not that it stops the worrying though :o)

Thank you again.

x x

I was on beta blockers through both pregnancies. Both girls were small, only one classed as IUGR. Both healthy. Even though delivered by cs, one because of IUGR and one because of previous section, had Agpars of 9 and 10 at birth. Dr Google would have you believe they were very dangerous in pregnancy, but my consultants weren't concerned, although some of the more junior doctors raised an eyebrow. Neither has a heart problem that we are aware of. Wish you lots of luck.

Oh honestly writer they have more than caught up and at a fast rate too, in fact u would say it was my son that was the tiny baby, he's such a petite little thing compared to her eldest.

And the odds u have been given on the epilepsy medication risk seem very reassuring so although of course u will still worry that must be quite a relief.

All the best with TTC and your future pregnancy xx

Hello - i was put on labetolol (sp??) and another beta blocker i can't currently remember the name of during pg for high bp. I have a thread on here somewhere about it... Can't fund it New as in phone but search for breastfeeding and beta blockers thread.

Labetolol is the drug of choice apparent as its 'safe' in pg. However... DS stopped growing somewhere between 34 weeks and 34+6. I had regular scans due to the high bp and high med doses. I was kept in at the 34+6 scan and given an emcs as he'd stopped growing.

He was 3lb 12... Tiny but perfect. He did a couple of weeks in scbu then came home for 2 weeks - he was readmitted for 3 weeks... Long story but we very nearly lost him. Bp and blood sugar through the floor etc. After a terrifying fortnight of being told they didn't know what was wrong they put it down to 'maternal use of Labetolol'

I had to stop bf and he picked up immediately. He's a happy, healthy little (still small for his age) boy.

I'm on diff meds now - one which you name in your op. The leaflet clearly states they can't be used in pg. My gp said they stop foetus kidneys developing?? The leaflet also states that no research has been done about betablockers and bf.

Ask to be referred yo a consultant. If we ever decide to ttc again i would only do it under informed medical care - your Dr sounds ill informed but it took me begging FIVE paed consultants to consider the link before one said he'd seen it before. Do your research op so that you know what's what you know:-) good luck!

Thanks Double Cake - although it is hard to hear the 'Horror Stories' that is the only way to make informed decisions. I'm so glad your little boy came through it all.

I had read that Labetelol was the drug of choice for pregnancy, but I guess nothing is a dead certain then. The issue of breast feeding unnerves me as it is something I feel really passionate about and I would be upset if I couldn't do it.

It was the Cardiologist Registrar who said it was fine to take the Bisoprolol - I'm considering ringing up my Consultant's secretary tomorrow and asking her to speak to the Consultant on my behalf. I think I would feel better if the information came from him.

I definitely think I will go and see my GP too - she is really good and I trust her opinion a lot.

Why can't these things ever be easy?

Between my heart, my epilepsy and a lost Mirena (long story) it has taken 10 months to reach this point where we can actually TCC - and it makes me feel sad that I can't enjoy it. I can't help feel jealous sometimes of women who one day decide they want to have a baby and then can just get on with it.

Please don't be disheartened - i think that most babies are fine - ours was a rarity. Labetolol was involved in a worldwide Canadian study (i was part of it) in 2011 / 2012 - not sure whether the research has been published yet but your Dr may be able to get hold of it?

I rang my Cardiologist's Secretary yesterday and explained the situation to her and she said she will pass on my concerns to my Consultant and she will get back to me during the week. I will believe that when I see it.

In the meantime I have got an appointment with my my GP tomorrow so I will get some advice from her too.

I just want to get pregnant and be able to enjoy it without worrying that I'm causing my baby harm.

I don't even know if the dose I take is a high one, I'm guessing the lower the dose the less the risks?!

I might go and Google normal drug doses of Bisoprolol....

Well, according to a medical site it says that for Adult SVT the maximum dose a person can take is 20mg a day......and I only take 3.5mg! So a very small doseage actually.

That has made me feel a little bit better