nitrofurantoin antibiotic is the baby ok?

[Kay0502]

Hi
I was given the antibiotic nitrofurantoin to take for a water infection before I fell pregnant. The doctor asked if I was pregnant at the time and I said no as I wasn't. I have now worked out that I would have fallen pregnant while taking these and am now worried. Does anyone know if these will have any affect on the baby? I'm at the doctors in a few days so will ask then but I can't stop worrying.

[LilyRose16]

I was prescribed nitrofurantoin for a water infection while pregnant, this is a safe pregnancy antibiotic as far as im aware. I think i was about 20 weeks at the time. Hope this helps but try not to worry.

[Haribolover]

Took this twice when I was pregnant with DD - she's now 2 and a completely normal, happy, opinionated toddler!

The first time I took it the dr wouldn't prescribe until he'd consulted with the consultant at the hospital who said it was fine and I also double checked it with the pharmacist as well who said there was no issue either in pregnancy.

[Kay0502]

Thanks everyone. That's helped put my mind at rest. I was just so worried with him asking if there was any chance and the information online is really conflicting.

[TiggeryBear]

I'm currently 34 weeks pregnant & was taking it last week for a UTI. Try not to worry. (I know that's easier said than done!)

[WombOfOnesOwn]

Oh! Well, you're a lucky duck, because nitrofurantoin is one of the SAFEST pregnancy antibiotics. Here's why: it doesn't actually stay in the bloodstream at all, but is instead near-immediately excreted via the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. This means your baby doesn't get a dose of it, period. It's actually a totally ineffective antibiotic for most conditions, and is only used for the urinary tract, because that's the only place where it is able to work!

Because it's not used for anything but urinary tract infections, nitrofurantoin is also one of the antibiotics that bacteria show the least resistance to -- it's not being added to animal feed or overprescribed for every condition under the sun.