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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Labetalol for preeclampsia

22 replies

DorasBob · 15/09/2018 17:17

Has anyone taken labetalol in pregnancy for preeclampsia?

32 weeks, and just been diagnosed with preeclampsia. Feel a lot better taking the labetalol, but sick with worry at the possible side effects on the baby. I keep reading studies into it (unwise I know!) and can’t stop worrying. On the flip side bough, untreated high bp has a negative effect on the baby as well, and I certainly don’t want a preterm delivery!

I’m a perfectionist, and this is the sort of thing that drives me slowly mad. I’ve completley given up alcohol, followed all dietary advice, not even taken paracetamol when I’ve had a headache, and I just hate that I may be damaging my baby’s brain/body by taking it, but obcvioudly appreciate it’s the safest option I’ve got.

Anyone had a baby after taking labetalol for Preeclampsia who went on to win a novel prize in between modelling jobs (only half joking Grin)

OP posts:
HariboHippo · 15/09/2018 17:19

I did! From 30 weeks until 33 when it just didn’t work any more and I had an ECS.
And my 4 year old is completely fine and has just started school! Flowers

Original poster
DorasBob · 15/09/2018 17:21

Thanks Haribo! Sorry to hear you had a shit time Flowers

I know I’m being ridiculous, and trying to control what I can’t control. Im the sort of person who would never risk a Brie panini, so it’s hard to take the tablet not knowing what the effect could be!

OP posts:
Roomba · 15/09/2018 17:24

I took it for pre eclampsia for weeks before DS1 was born and a couple of months afterwards (my BP was slow to lower back to normal). I honestly had no side effects at all, I felt a bit tired but then I would have under the circumstances anyway!

DS1 is almost 13 now and in rude health. He's doing well academically at a top grammar school if that reassures you at all?

Original poster
DorasBob · 15/09/2018 17:31

Roomba - thanks, it really does.

Not that I only want a super academic successful child, I guess I just don’t want to damage it’s chances when it doesn’t have a choice about me taking it, if that makes sense?

OP posts:
Roomba · 15/09/2018 17:33

They use Labetalol as the first line treatment as it has been used extensively for many, many years. And it has fewer potential side effects than other treatments. So it really is tried and tested.

Roomba · 15/09/2018 17:41

I get that. It's hard not to worry, I know I did! DS was 6 weeks early in the end, so small - but he came home after 10 days and has been very healthy since (touch wood!). He's been taller than me since he was 10 and eats me out of house and home 😁. Once my BP came down again (it did reduce after the birth just very gradually, when I'd been led to believe it would be almost instant) I've never had any problems with it since, even when I had DS2 it stayed perfect which was a big relief.

bsmirched · 15/09/2018 17:44

I had it through both my pregnancies for high blood pressure and both my boys, now 5 and 8, are very healthy!

lrwe · 15/09/2018 17:50

I had it through both of my previous pregnancies for high bp and I'm on it again in this pregnancy for the same reason.

Both my boys were born small (6lbs7 at 40 weeks and 6lbs3 at 38 weeks) but whilst my eldest has stayed light, tall and slim, my youngest quickly packed on the weight up to the 75th percentile from the 20th.

Neither of them have shown any other effects, my 6 year old is bright, articulate, funny, academically clever and a delight to be around. My 3 year old is the same.

I had to fight this time to go on labetelol rather than a different drug which doesn't control my bp as well.

Girlwiththearabstrap · 15/09/2018 19:36

I took it for a bit in both pregnancies due to pre eclampsia, and for a few months whilst breastfeeding with DD2 as my blood pressure didn't stabilise. Too early to tell if they are child prodigies as they are 3, and 4 months, but they were both healthy weights and healthy babies. 😁

It's been used in pregnancy for years and is safe. As you said yourself, it's the safest option you have as untreated high bp would be bad for you and the baby.

Darkstar4855 · 15/09/2018 19:41

As others have said it is very commonly used in pregnancy and has been for many years. It is used in preference to other blood pressure medications because it’s known to be safe and effective.

The risk of eclampsia, stroke etc. from untreated high blood pressure is much worse so please be reassured you are doing exactly the right thing for both you and your baby.

MrsKyloRen · 15/09/2018 19:45

Yup, had it for a few weeks before Ds was born due to pre-eclampsia. He is 3 now, healthy, happy and a smart wee cookie! Smile good luck with the rest of your pregnancy, try not to stress about this! X

frogsoup · 15/09/2018 20:30

I was put on it at c38 weeks then stopped taking it after DD was born because I panicked about it getting into my milk. And promptly ended up back in hospital with my bp through the roof. The midwife pointed out when I confessed to not taking it that me having a stroke would be considerably more harmful to my DD than drinking infinitesimal amounts of labetalol in my milk... DD is 10 and ridiculously advanced as well as delightful, wonderful and the light of my life (or at least she would be if she'd bloody go up to bed now as she's been asked about 6 times).

Girlwiththearabstrap · 15/09/2018 20:41

I realise no-one on this thread has suggested this but just wanted to add a general warning that you can't just stop taking labetalol without medical advice. It can cause massive sudden spikes in blood pressure and heart rate if you stop too suddenly without medical advice.

frogsoup · 15/09/2018 20:45

Yes indeed it can girlwiththearabstrap, as I found out to my cost Blush

Girlwiththearabstrap · 15/09/2018 20:48

Sorry frogsoup I hadn't read your post. That wasn't a dig! It's normal to worry about drugs effects on the baby. And I'm glad you got the blood pressure under control and were ok. 16 weeks pp here and I'm still weaning off it slowly. Also to reassure the OP, I'm still breastfeeding and DC is fine.

PlaymobilPirate · 15/09/2018 20:51

I took it, alongside something else... can't remember what. I was on a really high dose.

Ds was born early weighing 3lb. I expressed and he was initially fine. After a couple of weeks he was very I'll with low bp / low blood sugar etc. Docs said he was a mystery for days... until 1vdoc told me to stop feeding as he's seen another baby have a reaction to labetolol.

It's the drug of choice. I needed it as bp was dangerous. I'd take it again if I needed to but I'd watch carefully for signs of ill health in the baby.

ButterflyWitch · 15/09/2018 20:55

I took it in both my pregnancies and both kids are scary levels of smart (not stealth boasting...more a ‘f*#k me they already know more than I do kinda situation).

ButterflyWitch · 15/09/2018 20:57

And PS if you have PE you’re much more likely to damage baby (and yourself) by not taking it. Pregnancy is a worrying time but trynot to get overly anxious

frogsoup · 15/09/2018 21:01

No worries, I was a total idiot Grin Severe deprivation and sky-high anxiety levels were a bad combo! Luckily bp went down to normal levels soon after, I knew because I started feeling crazy faint on the labetalol with it sending my bp through the floor! They still stepped down the dose though rather than stopping suddenly. I've had no bp issues since, including two subsequent pregnancies.

frogsoup · 15/09/2018 21:03

*sleep deprivation!

Mummynextdoor · 15/09/2018 21:13

I took it in my second pregnancy (though my BP remained high and I was induced at 36 weeks) and for 6 months afterwards as my BP remained very high. DD was 5lb 3 and is the brightest funniest, most gorgeous of girls (I know I am totally biased). I should also add that I was breastfeeding throughout the time I was taking it after her birth with no ill effects.

Original poster
DorasBob · 15/09/2018 22:05

Thanks everyone, feeling a lot better about everything Smile

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