UTI - please calm me down!

[Rupsje]

Nervous first time mum here.

I am 12 weeks and received a call today to say I have a urinary tract infection. Need to pick up antibiotics tonight.

The thing is... I have known I have had this for ages - went to the GP about it a month ago who checked on the spot and said no infection. Then took a sample to the midwife two weeks ago, and have only just heard the result.

I am driving myself mad googling about the risks of prolonged UTI during pregnancy. Separately, I am now also worried about the effects of antibiotics on the baby....

Does anyone know if UTIs are common, and how worried I should really be?

Thanks very much for any advice!

I had one with my DS and was given antibiotics had also had mine a while I think.

Hi Rupsje,
Try not to panic, UTIs are very common in pregnancy. I've had them throughout my pregnancy (I'm now 24 weeks). I also got them a lot b4 pregnancy.
I have been offered antibiotics but due to my own feelings about conventional medicine (which many MNers would probably disagree with) I have opted for alternative therapies instead.
After reading around a lot I have discovered that UTIs are not a risk to baby. The biggest worry is that the infection spreads to the kidneys making the mother ill, but I haven't read anything saying that the baby will be harmed by the UTI itself.

I had a UTI around the same time in my first pregnancy. I worried a bit about it too - but I took the Amoxicillin (?) they gave me, the UTI went away, DD was born perfectly healthy. It's fine. Don't worry at all.

I had to take 2 lots of antibiotics for a UTI between wks 14 and 16. It freaked me out a bit too, as I have only taken ABx once in the last 15 years so to take them twice in a fortnight in pregnancy for a UTI I wasn't even aware I had was a shock.

UTI's are very common in pregnancy and taking antibiotics is much safer than not treating the infection. I cant advise about the delay in starting them, but in my case the first ones prescribed were useless as the infection was resistant to them so I guess my treatment was delayed also. I am now 23wks and all seems fine.

try not too worry (I know its hard not too) and stay away from Google you really will drive yourself mad!!!

Thanks for the reassuring words. It really helps.

When the midwife phoned to tell me I was all sensible and calm, saying "yes, no problem, I'll pick up the antibiotics", but as soon as I put the phone down I had a bit of a melt-down, not helped by google.

I have my first scan on Thursday and was looking forward to that (hopefully, fingers crossed) going well and then not worrying any more thereafter... Now I am beginning to realise that the worry probably won't stop at all.

Thanks again for the advice. Wonderful to have people to turn to who have been in a similar position.

Hello Rupsje you poor thing!! Don't worry - UTIs are very common and I'm sure you'll be just fine.

I had one recently at around 32 weeks pregnant. It was actually a blessing because I was sore and achey underneath my bump. I thought "gosh, I guess this ouchy feeling must be normal in late pregnancy" and was then told I had a UTI.

Phew! I took some antibiotics and the achey feeling (that I thought I'd have to live with until due date!) vanished almost overnight.

It is very common, try not to let worry inhibit the enjoyment of your first scan :)

PS. If you do decide to take the antibiotics, make sure you complete the WHOLE COURSE even if they symptoms stop before the whole course is up.

UTIs are very common in pg, which is a good thing in a way - loads of women before you have taken antibiotics for UTIs while pg so the Dr can prescribe one that is both safe and effective.

PPS. Just wait till you get thrush, another common one in pregnancy. I had both at the same time. It was awesome.

Thanks again everyone.

And PipPipPip: thanks for making me laugh with your "just wait till you get thrush" comment. I think humour will be important to get me through this pregnancy!