Anyone on heart meds during pregnancy?

[emalou90]

Im currently TTC and already have a daughter (no probs in that pregnancy)

I'm on bisoprolol this time which is a form of beta blocker to slow heart rate.

Apparently I'll need to be seen as soon as I am pregnant said the dr and subsequent visits to make sure baby grows along with the dates as my meds can cause low birth weight.

Anyone else in the same boat or similar? Maybe risk of low birth weight?
Would love some moral support x

 

[emalou90]

Bumpity

 

[elociN]

I was on betablockkers (metoprolol) when I got pregnant with my now 2 year old and I was taking them for PVCs and PACs but was advised to stop so stopped at 5 weeks.

 

[emalou90]

What was it for? High blood pressure? (That's the most common use)
And why were you advised to stop x

 

[vtjess423]

I was (and am) on Labetalol due to my high blood pressure. I actually started on it when pregnant with my son due to a quick rise in blood pressure at about 30 weeks. Unfortunately for me it continued after birth, so I continued on Labetalol though on a lower dose. My son was born at 39 weeks weighing only 5lbs, 4oz which is tiny for a single birth. My OB thinks that was due to my blood pressure and didn't mention it having anything to do with the medicine. I'm hoping that I don't have the same concerns with growth this time around but we'll have to wait and see (I'm currently 20 weeks and have my anatomy scan on Friday). I dunno if any of this helps in any way but I thought I'd add my experience.

 

[emalou90]

Thanks so much vtjess, it still helps!
Obviously my risks of not taking my tablets outweigh the risks but I don't want to risk a tiny baby.
Hopefully not xx

 

[rory83coyotes]

it is more that the BP issue affects the placenta and causes it not to profuse like it should. The risk of untreated BP is much greater to you and baby than just being small. My third was small at 5lbs 4oz at 39 weeks. I was on labetelol 600mg twice daily for most of my pregnancy. She had no trouble breathing, roomed in with me and came home with me. No issues. She is around 20lbs at her one year check up.

 

[emalou90]

Oh just to clear it up, I have SVT it's not blood pressure related x

 

[vtjess423]

I would say that as long as you take your meds, and you stay healthy, your baby will be fine too! And just because you have a tiny baby, that doesn't mean it won't be healthy. As I said my son was small at birth but he was perfectly healthy - he had no breathing problems or anything. He stayed in the room with me the whole time and was actually released from the hospital before me (though he was allowed to stay) due to my blood pressure being higher than they'd like after birth. And while I know the reason you are taking your meds is different, I would expect the risks of the meds would be quite similar. So good luck on TTC!

 

[rory83coyotes]

I would stick with medI for tHat. I would imagine, but am no expert, that super ventricular tachycardia would lead to profusion issues as well since your pulse is way to high. What does your cardiologist say?

 

[emalou90]

My doctor gave me the go ahead for pregnancy as I've had an ok one beforehand (without meds) as long as I am monitored closely.

I had my cardiologist on call for my delivery last time but thankfully didn't need her.

I appreciate all your replies xx

 

[elociN]

What was it for? High blood pressure? (That's the most common use)
And why were you advised to stop x

Mine were for PACs and PVCs, not for blood pressure (my blood pressure is vary low and HR is quite low too).
I was advised to stop because in my case the extra beats were not considered threatening so the beta blocker benefits did not outweigh the risks to baby.

 

[laura1401]

I was on bisoprolol before and during my pregnancy. I was always on 5mg until I got to around 34 weeks then went up to 7.5mg and then 10mg at 36 weeks. I have svt also and towards the end of my pregnancy I began to have lots of palpitations so I was induced at 38w 5 days. They had told me at the start of my pregnancy that I would probably get a section, but then the cardiologist and obstetrician decided it was safe and better for me and baby to have a natural delivery (but they insisted on an epidural to keep bp down) my son was born weighing 6lbs 13oz. Hope this helps xx

 

[Rhi_Rhi1]

I take the same meds for the same reason and I am currently 17 weeks. And I haven't even seen a Dr ! Bit peed off tbh. I have been booked for shared care but my first app with consultant ob isnt till 24th of sep :/ had 16 week midwife app and my bp had dropped to 80/50 which is really low (have actually fainted). Hopefully the consultant will be more use ! I had a private scan yesterday and baby is bang on for dates so that is reassuring

 

[emalou90]

I was on bisoprolol before and during my pregnancy. I was always on 5mg until I got to around 34 weeks then went up to 7.5mg and then 10mg at 36 weeks. I have svt also and towards the end of my pregnancy I began to have lots of palpitations so I was induced at 38w 5 days. They had told me at the start of my pregnancy that I would probably get a section, but then the cardiologist and obstetrician decided it was safe and better for me and baby to have a natural delivery (but they insisted on an epidural to keep bp down) my son was born weighing 6lbs 13oz. Hope this helps xx

Thank you so much Laura. That's really helped. I didn't have meds with my daughter she was 7lbs 10oz. I'm just considering worst case scenario with my health and baby.
We're you monitored more? Did your palpitations stop by themselves or did you have intervention. I didn't have any pain relief with my daughter and did well. Bt birth was quick. 4 hours.

Sorry so many questions, I have nobody else to ask svt seems sparse!

I take the same meds for the same reason and I am currently 17 weeks. And I haven't even seen a Dr ! Bit peed off tbh. I have been booked for shared care but my first app with consultant ob isnt till 24th of sep :/ had 16 week midwife app and my bp had dropped to 80/50 which is really low (have actually fainted). Hopefully the consultant will be more use ! I had a private scan yesterday and baby is bang on for dates so that is reassuring

That's disgusting, I'd be fighting to see someone sooner at 17 weeks!
I had shared care before. I'm so glad baby is doing well. I hope you have a healthy pregnancy. Sorry you haven't seemed to be looked after much yet!
I have to go to the hospital if I faint - that's what I've been told. Do you? Xx



Thanks both of you xxx

 

[Rhi_Rhi1]

Nope, I have been told "that happens" and to drink more fluids.
I honestly cannot believe how blah they have been about it, I think the issue (without sounding too harsh) is that a midwife is essentially just a nurse and they don't seem to even understand my medication at all! So as far as they are concerned fainting is just fainting because I am pregnant. Not because of my meds etc. If that makes sense ?

 

[laura1401]

Hey, I have a really long cardiac history (3x open heart surgeries, leaky aortic valve blah blah) and was warned not to get pregnant by my last cardiologist. I am a nurse myself so did some investigating and found a cardiac/maternity clinic and was referred to them. The cardiologist didn't think I would have any issues but warned I would be closely monitored throughout. Anyhoo I got pregnant and had some bp issues alongside the svt. My svt always self terminates (so far) and as I said earlier my bisoprolol was increased towards the end of my pregnancy. I found when I was admitted through high bp that the midwife who looked after me was useless when it came to cardiac meds, (she didn't even know what bisoprolol was) she probably shouldn't be a midwife cause she was hopeless and couldn't have cared less. I was an extremely high risk pregnancy with lots of cardiac issues and felt totally abandoned at times by some midwives. (Feel like I'm bashing midwives here but just had a few dodgy experiences with them but also had some really lovely caring ones too. I suppose u get good and bad staff in all aspects of healthcare. It doesn't help that I'm a nurse and a cardiac patient so was totally aware of any issues that could arise during my pregnancy xx
Sorry for the long rant but hope it helps in some way x

 

[laura1401]

Oooooh and congratulations xx

 

[Nela]

I was on bisoprolol before getting pregnant and my new cardiologist took me off it as he didn't find it was the safest for the baby. We tried going without but with the warmer weather, it got harder to control my heart rate so I was put on Labetalol. I'm sure your doctors know what they are doing though.

My OBGYN told me that she had never had any problems with patients and tachycardia in a natural delivery. However, I have IST (inappropriate sinus tachycardia) and things didn't quite go according to her plan so we ended up with an emergency c-section. (But we also had other complications alongside the tachycardia)

I think as long as you keep your hr monitored and under control, everything should be fine. You will probably find that controlling your pain will also help control your heart rate. That's what my doctor said at least.

I don't know what your plan is but, personally, with cardiac issues, I would give birth in a hospital, not at home. I'm sure it will all be fine, just take the necessary precautions like keeping up with meds, not overdoing things too much, getting monitored, etc.

 

[emalou90]

I was on bisoprolol before getting pregnant and my new cardiologist took me off it as he didn't find it was the safest for the baby. We tried going without but with the warmer weather, it got harder to control my heart rate so I was put on Labetalol. I'm sure your doctors know what they are doing though.

My OBGYN told me that she had never had any problems with patients and tachycardia in a natural delivery. However, I have IST (inappropriate sinus tachycardia) and things didn't quite go according to her plan so we ended up with an emergency c-section. (But we also had other complications alongside the tachycardia)

I think as long as you keep your hr monitored and under control, everything should be fine. You will probably find that controlling your pain will also help control your heart rate. That's what my doctor said at least.

I don't know what your plan is but, personally, with cardiac issues, I would give birth in a hospital, not at home. I'm sure it will all be fine, just take the necessary precautions like keeping up with meds, not overdoing things too much, getting monitored, etc.

Thanks Hun, I want a hospital birth, no way I'd dare have it at home.
I had gas and air last time and it took 4 hours, I reckon if I was tired as well it would have made it worse but I took it well thankfully.


Thank you for your insight.
You've all been so helpful putting my mind at rest xxxx