OK to be pregnant on Propranolol?

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who's been on Propranolol (or any other beta-blocker) while pregnant. I'm on a very low dosage (10 mg twice a day) but am concerned about getting pregnant while I'm on it. My cardiologist and a maternal-fetal specialist, have both assured me that it's safe. The only side-effect could be a slow heart rate in the baby, which would go away once I'm off the medication. Having a PM is enough drama for me, I'm not looking for any more troubles.

4 Comments

Toprol

by mgweaver - 2008-06-27 01:06:52

Hello! So I was Toprol XL (a beta-blocker) 50mg a day while I was pregnant. Actually that is what I was on before and still continue to take. I did not notice any difference while pregnant. The pregnancy takes alot out of you to begin with anyway. I would imagine you would be pretty heavily monitored (lots of appointments) as I was. I have an ICD for Long QT syndrome and both of my children (age 3 and 11 months) actually have it too and take Propranolol 3 times a day. The Toprol was also safe for breast feeding so that is something else you might want to check into if you are planning on breast feeding. Whatever you choose to do make sure your OBGYN and cardiologist are in contact with one another throughout the pregnancy. Hope this information is useful. Good luck!

Hi .....

by Bionic Beat - 2008-06-27 02:06:06

When I was pregnant and on beta blockers, they had no information about the fetal safety.

My OB and Cardiologist insisted that I see each of them, monthly, in case there was a problem.

There were no problems at all, I sailed through it, loved every minute of being pregnant (!!) and had a C-Section because the babys heart rate was dropping. (not related to my problems).

My daughter (now 23) was/is fine, has no cardiac or beta blocker related problems.

The ONLY thing was that I could not breast feed her and that she was kept in a special nursery for 48 hours, to be monitored while the beta blockers came out of her system.

Of course, I was able to have her for short periods during the 48 hours. She had no adverse problems from the drugs.

Hope you have a bouncing baby or two, they're great!

I feel fabulous!

Bionic Beat

Good Advice

by auntiesamm - 2008-06-28 07:06:32


You got professional advice from the ones who count: your cardiologist and a maternal-fetal specialist. Other than these 2, consult with your obstetrician prior to conception just for further assurance. Perhaps you would be referred to an OB who specializes in high risk pregnancies. Good luck and I hope we hear back from you in the near future that you are indeed expecting a little blessing! God is so good.

Sharon

just for more info

by joy1 - 2008-07-01 07:07:23

Check the Cleavland Clinic sight under women's issues. There is a section on having a heart condition and wanting to get pregnant being pregnant and some of the medicine they are prescribed.

Joy

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