Botox one month before conception. Is my baby at harm?

Question

I received botox around 8 weeks ago, and just found out I am now pregnant. Conception did occur after I received the botox. However, I know the effect of botox typically lasts 3 -4 months. Is my baby at harm? I cannot seem to find evidence on how the toxin exits the body exactly, and when. Please help!

James R. Gordon, MD, FACS, FAAO · Answer

Congratulations on the good news. You have nothing to be concerned about. There will be no effect on your baby since Botox was injected before you conceived. Good luck with the pregnancy.

Brian M. Harmych, MD, FACS · Answer

It is extremely unlikely that the toxin would have any effect on your pregnancy. If you have additional concerns I would recommend you also discuss this with your obstetrician.

John J. Obi, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your good news!  Fortunately you have nothing to worry about having had the Botox injections prior to the conception.  Botox acts locally at the site where it is injected and should be of no concern regarding your pregnancy.Best wishes.John J. Obi, MD

Gail Nield, MD, FRCPC · Answer

Hello. Botox binds to the Neuromuscular junction receptors within 1-2 hours of injection. It does not keep diffusing out from the areas injected into your bloodstream.Since you conceived a month after your Botox treatment, I am sure that you have little to be concerned about, but please, discuss this with your OB physician.

Gustavo A. Diaz, MD · Answer

The chances of Botox affecting your pregnancy are very remote. This is due to the fact that there is a 30 day separation of when you got Botox and when you got pregnant. Even when you have Botox in your system it is bound to the receptor at the Neuro-Muscular junction where you had the injections, so it will not be traveling freely in your bloodstream by the time that you got pregnant. If you are still concern, I suggest you consult your OB/Gyn.Hope this helps,Dr. Gus Diaz

Craig B. Boswell, MD · Answer

Since the Botox is bound to the muscle receptor within a couple of hours of the time that is injected, there isn't any chance that it is in the blood stream 4 weeks later when conception occurs.  Even if a patient is pregnant diffusion is limited to about 1 centimeter around the area of injection, so it makes it unlikely to to have distant diffusion of the Botox.  Also due to the large size of the protein, the Botox would likely not cross the placenta to reach the baby even if a large amount of Botox was injected into a blood vessel.  Injections are usually limited to about 5 units per injection (a small amount) and this would be diluted in the blood stream prior to even reaching the placenta.  There are several papers that have looked at pregnant patients who have received Botox and there was no increased risk of complications for the fetus after the Botox injection.  Let your OB know and this shouldn't any affect on your pregnancy.

Melvin Elson, MD · Answer

Although it is true that nothing is approved for use during pregnancy, Botox has been used in many patients who are or who have gotten pregnant with no reported untoward effect.  Botox actually goes away very quickly even though its effects last for months

Aleksandra Brown, DO, FAOCD · Answer

Hello,The main concern when injecting Botox is that some of the toxin may get into the bloodstream and pass on to the baby thru placenta. If any Botox did get into your bloodstream, it is extremely unlikely that it can affect this pregnancy. The effects of Botox are from the toxin paralyzing the muscle at the site of the muscle/nerve connection and it should not affect your pregnancy. These are not statements that you will find on the Botox package insert and while I do not recommended Botox during pregnancy or while nursing, I think that your treatment will not affect your pregnancy.

E. John Serrao, MD (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question and congratulations on your pregnancy!  The chances of the Botox affecting your pregnancy are minimal.  Do not have any other Botox injections while you are pregnant or breastfeeding your baby.  Best of luck to you!Sincerely,Dr. John Serrao

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