Antibiotic panic!

[SamP]

I'm now nearly 20 weeks pg and had to go to the doctors last week due to pains I'd been having. She did a swab test and it's shown that I have Group B Strep (which I was aware of already) and also some second infection which they are giving me antibiotics for, I have no idea what this second thing is, but I thought antibiotics were out in pregnancy. Can they harm the baby or could this infection harm him? I seem to have spent the last 20 weeks in a state of permanent panic and I think this one may just tip me over the edge.

[HelloMama]

Is the infection a vaginal infection? it may have been bacterial vaginosis that you were given the antibiotics for. This is a common vaginal infection, especially in pregnancy, caused by an inbalance of the natural bacteria found in your vagina. The antibiotics you will have been given should be safe for use in pregnancy as long as your doctor was aware of the pregnancy, so don't worry. It is important that you take them. If you're worried call the surgery to double check. HTH.

[HelloMama]

Do you know the name of the antibiotics you were given?

[mears]

Women often need antibiotics during pregnancy. Don't worry - your doctor will have checked that they are suitable.

[Twiglett]

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[SamP]

I don't know the name of the antibiotics yet as I'm not picking them up till tomorrow. Will post a note and let you know. Good to hear that others have had antibiotics and all has been well. I'm just hoping whatever infevtion it is they are for is not harmful to the baby (am I panicking too much??!!)

[dinny]

SamP, I've had two courses of antibiotics for UTIs this preg and it has really stressed me too. I'm 39 weeks now and when I go into labour will have IV antibitics for Strep B too (hopefully will get to hospital in time). Really worries me what effect it could have on my baby - especially as s/he is likely to be started on IV antibiotics at birth if I don't receive them in time.
Drink lots of probiotic yoghurt things - they may help to restore your natural flora and fauna (and that of the baby's....?) Take care. Dinny

[SamP]

Right, only slightly more informed but here goes..... apparently the test showed up mixed anaerobes and they've prescribed a course of metronidazole. I've read that these mixed anaerobes can be associated with miscarriage, should I worry now?

[mears]

No need to worry because you are receiving treatment. Metronidazole (flagyl) will get rid of them and therefore it is better to take antibiotics.

[HelloMama]

Yes it sounds like you have been given treatment for bacterial vaginosis. This isn't really anything to worry about. Research has shown that in some cases this can cause problems with miscarriage, but this tends to be in very early pregnancy. The main thing is that it has been detected and is easily treated with antibiotics and should cause no further problems. DOn't worry about taking antibiotics in pregnancy as many are safe to use HTH

[sportyspice]

SamP - only thing i can offer you is reassurance as i took huge amounts of antibiotics when pregnant 2nd time round as rather poorly and my baby was born 100% healthy.