Beta blockers in pregnancy?

[CakeSchmake]

Hello! Just wondering if anybody here is taking a beta blocker?

I've been prescribed bisoprolol today due to a heart condition I've been diagnosed with in pregnancy. I wasn't expecting it and I'm feeling a bit wobbly now about effects on the baby and whether I'll be able to breastfeed. I'm worried about growth restriction after googling, as well preterm birth and the baby having low blood sugar.

Does anybody have any experience?

Who prescribed? If GP I'd want your cardiologist to assess risk, in conjunction with your obs consultant as bbs are normally contraindicated in pregnancy. It may well be though that the risk benefit is in favour of taking it. Presume your on a low dose?

Yes, it was a consultant cardiologist in conjunction with an obstetric consultant. It is a very low dose.

I've got so many more questions now I'm home and don't know how to talk to the consultant again any time soon.

I would think you can be reassured in that case and will presumably have extra monitoring for growth issues which I understand are the main risk?

I'm on labetalol which is a beta blocker. I'm on it for blood pressure. Totally fine to take in pregnancy, but have been warned they will keep a close eye on baby at birth for symptoms of low blood pressure.

Beta blockers are commonly used in pregnancy for a variety of conditions.

It is all about the risks vs benefits and the fact that you are seeing an cardiologist and obstetrician means that the benefit of the medication will undoubtably outweigh any potential risks.

It is always scary having to start any medication, I have had a heart condition previously so know what it feels like, but these are experts who will be seeing women like yourself and those with far more complex heart problems day in day out. Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly!

Thanks for the reassurance - I do have extra growth scans planned. I wish I had thought to ask about breastfeeding earlier as it looks like the one I've been prescribed isn't suitable but others are.

You can contact the breastfeeding network on fb about your medication and the pharmacist will reply