Labetalol
What is it?
Labetalol is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Benefits
What are the benefits of taking labetalol?
Labetalol can help to control high blood pressure and therefore reduces the risk of pregnancy complications.
Risks
Are there any risks of taking labetalol in pregnancy?
Use of labetalol in pregnancy is common and there is no concern that it causes harm. Labetalol belongs to a family of medicines called beta blockers. Studies have not shown that beta blockers cause birth defects, stillbirth, or preterm birth. Women taking beta blockers may be more likely to have a small baby. However, a small baby can be due to underlying health conditions that beta blockers are commonly used to treat, like high blood pressure. It is therefore difficult to know if a beta blocker has also contributed to the baby being small.
Occasionally, beta blockers used in late pregnancy can affect the baby for a short while after birth (for example, causing low blood sugar). The baby may require an extra day or two in hospital following birth to look out for any problems. If these occur, they can be easily treated and usually settle quickly.
Alternatives
Are there any alternatives to taking labetalol?
Possibly. Other medicines can also be used to treat high blood pressure. However, labetalol is usually recommended as first-choice treatment for high blood pressure in pregnancy. If you have any questions about a medicine that you are offered, you should discuss them with your doctor or midwife.
No treatment
What if I don't want to take medicines to treat high blood pressure?
It is very important to take any medicines prescribed for high blood pressure as it can lead to a potentially serious pregnancy complication called pre-eclampsia.
Your doctor will only prescribe medicines when absolutely necessary and will be happy to talk to you about any concerns that you might have. It is important not to stop or change any medicine that you are taking for high blood pressure without first talking this through with your doctor.
Will my baby need any extra monitoring?
You will be offered a detailed scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy, as part of routine antenatal care. If you continue labetalol then you may be offered additional scans at around 32 and 36 weeks to check that your baby is growing normally.
Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken labetalol?
We would not expect any increased risk to your baby if the father takes labetalol.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org