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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

Can you take anti biotics when pg?

33 replies

2pt4WiseMen · 16/12/2008 07:22

My sister is 8 months pg.
She's got a terrible cough, lasted for weeks and feels dredful.
She saw the Doc yestrerday who said it has turned into a chest infection but he couldnt give her anything except paracetemol due to being pregnant...
Is that right???

OP posts:

Report

SazzlesIsASleighBell · 16/12/2008 07:25

I had amoyxicillin (sp?) for a tooth abcess and athough the dentist wouldn't ok it during pg (nor the pharmacist for that matter , NHS direct said it was fine as long as i didn't have penicillin reactions. Hope she feels better soon

littleboyblue · 16/12/2008 07:26

There are one or 2 types that are suitable in pg, but maybe not the one's she needs.....
Try doiing a google search, that's what the docs do.

nooka · 16/12/2008 07:44

Doctors don't do Google searches on common ailments, they will look in their pharmacy guidebook (I've completely forgotten what this is called, but it's issued to all GPs and pharmacists every year) to check contraindications.

Your poor sister to feel so ill. How horrible, especially when she is so pregnant. I had labrynthitis when I was breastfeeding, and had to wait until I stopped before it could be treated, so I can empathise a little. Chest infections can still be viral though, so antibiotics won't necessarily do anything. I had pleurisy a little while ago, and the doctor basically told me I just had to wait for it to clear up. Although he did give me some non-steroidal antiinflamitories (very similar to neurofen). Paraceutamol is used for cold and flu symptoms, so should help her a little.

littleboyblue · 16/12/2008 07:47

Ok, just mentioned it as my docs have when I'm preg, you can see it on screen.
My neighbour is 30 wks and has bad chest infection, she has been given anti-b's and also an inhaler to help open her airways

belgo · 16/12/2008 07:51

I had antibiotics for a urinary infection that was giving me premature contractions, so I really needed treatment.

As other posters have said, maybe she has a viral infection, maybe she doesn't actually need antobiotics.

belgo · 16/12/2008 07:54

btw, my doctor (trainee GP) during consultations googles illnesses that he's never heard of on wikipedia and the NHS website (despite being in belgian).

littleboyblue · 16/12/2008 08:05

Quick thread hi-jack

belgo I am 32 wks pg and have had a constant urine infection, have taken 4 courses of anti-b's over the past 8/9 weeks but it's not shifting. I'm aware that UTI's can cause early labour and delivery, but no one else seems that concerned about it. I've also been told that urine is contaminated by another infection also, but again, no one seems to want to do anything. The receptionist at mw clinic is telling me to just wait til after xmas when I'm due for my next check. Do you have any advice on what I should do?

DaisyMooSteiner · 16/12/2008 08:11

I've had antibiotics for a chest infection and steroids for asthma whilst pregnant. I'd get a second opinion.

belgo · 16/12/2008 08:42

littleboyblue - I just had a simple urinary tract infection that was causing painful contractions - the doctors diagnosed it and treated it and dd1 was born on time 6 weeks later.

It sounds a little more complicated in your case. Have they definitely diagnosed a UTI? Have they sent off a sample to the labs? I would speak to the midwife, not just the receptionist, or to your doctor. Waiting until after Christmas is a long time when you are pregnant with a UTI.

littleboyblue · 16/12/2008 08:46

Yes, they've sent off about 4 or 5 different samples (one from each ante-natal check). I'm thinking if the anti-b's aren't working then they should be doing something else? The receptionist transfered me to maternity triage dep't but they didn't seem too concerned either. I've got lots of bump and back pains and tightenings and it's getting hard to leave the house not in tears, not sure if it's all related, but wondering whether I should kick up a stink and demand I'm seen this week or if I'm expecting too much?

2cats2many · 16/12/2008 08:48

I had anti-b's for a chest infection when I was about 26 weeks pg. She should ask someone else.

belgo · 16/12/2008 08:53

I do think you should kick up a stink (in the nicest possible way) and demand to be seen.

littleboyblue · 16/12/2008 08:57

Ok. Yes I obviously will explain my concerns in a nice, polite but firm manner.
Thanks for the reassurance that I'm not over-reacting

Wisknit · 16/12/2008 13:03

I was told (by my MW)that there is one group of anitbiotics that can affect a baby's teeth but other than that they are all okay.

orangehead · 16/12/2008 13:11

I had a very bad chest infection when pregnant with ds2. I put off going to the docotors for weeks as I really didnt want antibiotics. But when I did go I got a big telling off from doc who said that if I got a high temp it could be a lot more dangerous than a course of antibiotics as it could of made me go into prem labour (was 18 weeks at the time). So I took the course and ds2 born healthy

nickytinseltimes · 16/12/2008 13:13

There are lots of antibiotice that are suitable for use in pregnancy.
Perhaps she has a viral chest infection though? In that case, no need for antibiotics.

chloemegjess · 16/12/2008 15:54

I agree that I have had antibiotics in pregnancy. But mine were through a drip in hospital so not sure if that is different?

catstarofbethlehem · 16/12/2008 16:50

Hi there - I'm 31 weeks pg and have just finished a course of "Cephaflexin" due to a nasty sinus infection. It seems to have done the job - the paracetamol didn't touch the pain!

From what I understand, the penicillin based ones like amoxycillin are safe to use - if, like me you are allergic to penicillin then cephaflexin is an alternative.

It's great to feel better!

WorzselMincepieYummage · 16/12/2008 17:18

I think its tetracycline which damages teeth and bones.

Pencillin's fine, as is Erthomyocin

WorzselMincepieYummage · 16/12/2008 17:18

I think its tetracycline which damages teeth and bones.

Pencillin's fine, as is Erthomyocin

littleboyblue · 16/12/2008 18:40

I was at docs this morning about anti-b's for UTI.
I have been taking Nitrofurantoin but it has had no effect so have now been given Trinethoprim. I assume both are safe during pregnancy as I am quite obviously heavily pregnant.

littleboyblue · 16/12/2008 20:49

Right, well as I said earlier was prescribed Trimethoprim, and was just about to take first one after dinner, looked at the leaflet and it says do not take if pregnant or breast feeding. Now me and doc had a big chat about my pregnancy so my condition was clear, he didn't think i was just on the fat side, so have called hospital and am waiting for a call back as to whether they are safe to take. Midwife has said the danger is early pregnancy but registrar is going to call me back as she has not prescribed this to a pregnant woman before.
Just wanted to let anyone know that had read this thread so I hadn't supplied incorrect information.

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Poledra · 16/12/2008 20:58

I think the other thing to take into consideration is the risk/benefit ratio. For example, I took shedloads of ABs when pg with DD2 as I had appendicitis. Anything that the ABs might have done was small beer compared to the fatality risk to the baby if I developed peritonitis.

littleboyblue trmimethoprim is a folic acid antagonist, so generally avoided in pregnancy. However, this is a theoretical risk, and would be less risky for a baby as developed as yours is at 32 weeks. It may be that your GP has decided that the theoretical risk is lower than the risk to you and the bubs of not clearing up your UTI. I still think you've done the right thing to double-check though.

To the OP, your sister's GP may have decided that her chest infection, though it makes her feel like poo, does not justify any theoretical risk to the baby from ABs.

littleboyblue · 16/12/2008 21:04

Poledra Yes, think you are spot on there about weighing up the risks to the benefits. And for anything else I probably wouldn't take medicines as also have to take paracetamol regularly for ligament strain so don't wanna pump body with too much, but the risk of premature delivery due to UTI is quite frightening, but mw did say the risk was in early pregnancy, they should state that on the pack

RoskvaTheRedNosedReindeer · 16/12/2008 21:27

I had a chest infection at 37 weeks, and couldn't stop coughing. I was prescribed amoxycillin (sp?). I was facing a planned c/s anyway, because my baby was breech, and if I still had a chest infection and cough they would not be able to do it with a spinal anaesthetic, and the risks during a general anaesthetic would be hugely increased, plus I would not have wanted a general anyway.

And believe me, you do not want to be coughing after a c section. Nor I suspect if you end up with stitches after a natural birth.

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