Augmentin/antibiotic in 40th week of pregnancy.....

[ipanemagirl]

Just went to my antenatal clinic apt at the hospital and everything was fine except I apparently have a slight urinary infection so the Obstetrician prescribed augmentin and said I should start it tonight. I don't feel unwell at all or have any symptoms.

I know everything crosses the placenta so I said to her do I have to take it and she said that of course I absolutely should (urinary infections can get worse quickly of course)

But when I said to her, what if the baby is allergic to antibiotics what is the risk of that she just said, it's perfectly safe you must take it.

Then I asked the pharmacist and he said, yes it does cross the placenta but she wouldn't precribe it if it were a problem.... But then he said 'is anyone in your family allergic to antibiotics, I said no, so he said oh it should be fine.

I know I'm being neurotic but I've got through 9 months without taking more than a Rennie! Any advice gratefully received!

[becaroo]

Water infections can be very unpleasant and bring on labour so yes, you should take them.

You are not allergic to penecillin based drugs (of which augmentin is one) so you will be fine. So will baby.

Good luck.

[ipanemagirl]

I'm sure you're both right but as I have no symptoms and as I think I might be going into labour now, part of me thinks oh hell, give it a day or so and the baby will have a separate blood stream and I'll take it! It's just there must be some risk or they wouldn't be so careful about giving women medication.

I know I'm being slightly hysterical! But I have a real problem with medical blandishments... I don't have total trust because I think all the reassurances seem to rest on the drug companies assurances and I certainly don't trust them!

[becaroo]

If your bug is something like enterococcus (which mine was) it is very nasty and you could pass it to your baby via the birth canal.

As leonie says they have prescribed augmentin because that will kill the particular bacteria that has colonised you. You have a bacterial infection. It needs antibiotic meds.

Take the meds.

[mags98]

Urinary infections frequently don't give symptoms in pregnancy yet still cause problems, for example pyelonephritis which is a kidney infection. This can cause permanent damage. If you have an infection during labour that could be even worse, the baby could get it too.

Anyway, as soon as the baby is born s/he could if need be be given antibiotics him/herself anyway and is perfectly safe for a baby.

Just do as you are told...

[ipanemagirl]

thanks so much, will do. I just don't want the medcation to harm the baby!

[ipanemagirl]

About to take it....

But I did take an old urine sample bottle that I washed really well with hand hot water but NOT boiling water and I asked the obs if there's anyway that the bottle was contaminated in some way and she said that the reading would not be as strong. Although I took the sample a good few hours before I went to the hospital.

Forgive the neurosis....... I think I'm just full of hormones and panic!

[becaroo]

I can sympathise - I have had to take lots of meds this pregnancy and have HATED having to do it, but its important for your and the babys well being. You are not neurotic - you are a mother!!!