Atenolol and Pregnancy

I’m currrently 15 weeks pregnant with my fifth baby. I have tachycardia-sometimes enough to make me black out- and irregular heartbeats, and with my last pregnancy I ended up with pre-ecclampsia. With this pregnancy, I’ve seen a prenatal cardiologist who said that I had extremely high cardiac output (I’m still not even sure what that means) and that I need to take medicine every day to prevent even more terrifying problems-like a stroke or a heart attack. I was given Atenolol, and since I’ve been taking it, I found out it’s a class D medicine-which means it has real potential to affect the baby. Now my doctor also wants me to take Lasix to help with heart/blood pressure issues, which is a class C medication. I’m totally afraid to take both of them. Has anyone else ever had to take any of these medicines (or ones like them) while pregnant? I’m thinking of just not taking them anymore (after I call my ob). I haven’t started the Lasix and probably won’t, but I feel terrible that I’ve taken the Atenolol for 4 weeks. I asked the cardiologist about them and he said it might just mean a smaller baby, but I’m really worried it could mean something worse!

I also have tachycardia but mine is solely pregnancy related and expected to resolve after delivery. It’s caused by hypotension paired with the higher blood volume of pregnancy and luckily is not severe enough to require medication (it’s definitely a pain, though, as the lightheadedness it causes is enough to interrupt my daily activities at times.)

Personally, I would stay on the meds, or at least seek a second opinion before discontinuing them. Yes, it’s not ideal to have to take a class D or C drug while pregnant, but generally those meds are only prescribed if the benefits outweigh the risks. A stroke or heart attack could be deadly for you AND the baby.

Thanks. I did call my o/b and spoke to my brother in law (who’s a cardiologist) and they said the same thing. I just feel so guilty having to take all these meds while pregnant.With my other pregnancies I avoided every medicine and off-limit pregnancy food/drink, so it seems really weird to me. I’m still not sure exactly why I have to take the Lasix, but I’m assuming it’s for the blood pressure issues. There is one upside to this though-I get to have an ultrasound every four weeks to check the baby’s growth, so I’ll get to see him or her alot more than I ever saw my other babies.

Try not to feel guilty. You are doing the best thing you can possibly do by protecting your own health and therefore directly protecting your unborn child’s health. You also have other children to consider that need their mommy! If you are also questioning the Lasix ask your OB but it’s logical that they would want your BP under control right out of the gate. Higher BP greatly increases your risk for stroke which you are already in the risk pool for. It actually all seems pretty logical and carefully thought out. Stress and guilt certainly won’t change anything so I would enjoy the extra ultrasounds (bonus!) and the peace of mind they will likely bring you as you watch your baby develop. Your doing the right thing! Good luck!