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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Help - urine infection

22 replies

Alexandra6 · 03/06/2013 18:50

I've just had my first midwife tests result through and apparently I have a urine infection. I'm really blaming myself as I knew I wasn't drinking enough water and (sorry, TMI) my urine has been quite yellow. They've sent me a prescription for ampicillin but I REALLY don't want to take antibiotics when pregnant as I think it's really bad for the baby. Does anyone know if I can treat this naturally - maybe by drinking shed loads of water?! Also the test was taken on May 14th so couldn't it have cleared up by now? Thanks for any help, have had a really anxious pregnancy lately

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GozerTheGozerian · 03/06/2013 19:18

I had a couple of UTIs when pg - no symptoms but were picked up by tests. I think you're more susceptible to them them. Didn't want to take antibiotics either but I did in the end - GP reassured me they were safe and I preferred that to risk

GozerTheGozerian · 03/06/2013 19:20

Oops sorry risking anything with the pregnancy as I had a rough first few weeks. Not sure if you can clear it up by drinking water alone and I think your kidney are working extra hard in pregnancy anyway so wouldn't have wanted to overload them even more (plus my bladder would never have coped!). Sure someone more medically minded than me can advise you though.

night1971 · 03/06/2013 19:21

I had 2 UTIs and had antibiotics each time. I had no symptons but tests picked them up. Baby was fine and it didn't affect my pregancy in any way. Hope you feel better soon.

lilstar · 03/06/2013 19:45

I had UTI's for the whole first trimester of my first pregnancy and had to take numerous types of antibiotics which of course the doc wouldn't prescribe if they weren't safe. My baby was fine. Apparently pregnant women are just more likely to get UTIs but normallythere are over the counter remedies and drinking cranberry juice is supposed to help (but it never for me). I would say take the antibiotics because urine infections if not treated can develop into kidney infections and be dangerous...later in pregnancy they can bring on early labour.

Souper · 03/06/2013 19:48

The doctor will have prescribed antibiotics that are safe in pregnancy. UTIs are dangerous in pregnancy. They can cause premature labour or miscarriage. I would take the antibiotics.

Slw8000 · 03/06/2013 19:58

TAKE THE ANTIBIOTICS! Sorry for shouting but I had a uti with no symptoms and it wasn't treated and as a result I had my son at 26 weeks and he then spent 3 months in intensive care.
The antibiotics you have been given will be safe for pregnancy, I know taking them is not ideal but believe me the alternative can be worse. Take a probiotic as well because you are more prone to thrush when pregnant.
Good luck x

Original poster

Alexandra6 · 03/06/2013 20:27

Thanks everyone, the frustrating thing is they took so long to get my results to me so it could either be worse or gone now. I'm going to phone first thing tomorrow and see if my GP or hospital can do an urgent test with fast/immediate results and, if not, start taking them straight away.

The antibiotics are ampicillin and it says on the NHS website that most drugs have an effect on the developing baby so feel anxious about it - I hate taking things like this at the best of times! I don't suppose anyone else took ampicillin or knows if that's one of the best ones to take?

slw8000 I'm really glad your baby was ok and thank you for the warning xx

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Kelly1814 · 03/06/2013 20:54

Take them! The repercussions of letting infection spread to your kidneys is not worth it. I have had heaps of antibiotics since being pregnant ( hardly ever before) for UTI's and after my stitch.

tazmo · 03/06/2013 22:59

Take em. I had chest Infection and antibiotics helped. I had UTI and went into labour early. Take them!

HadALittleFaithBaby · 04/06/2013 07:48

Seriously, take them! The risk of the infection is far greater than the antibiotics. I got a UTI at 8 weeks that tracked to my kidney and I was in agony. I ended up in A&E. The doctor called it 'the joys of motherhood'. As a pp said, you are more suspectible when pregnant.

Take the antibiotics, get better, then drink plenty to minimise the chances of getting another one.

Original poster

Alexandra6 · 04/06/2013 08:10

Thanks, I don't know if I'm crazy but I just spoke to the hospital and I asked them why I'm only getting a prescription now, 3 week later, and they said it was a problem with the lab?! Great! So the midwife said if I do another sample this morning, she'll send it straight off to the lab and we should have results by Friday/Monday to see if it's still there. So am tempted to wait for that diagnosis but then I don't want to make a mistake, I am just such am anxious person when it comes to drugs anyway and it's a million times worse in pregnancy! Keep thinking the drugs will somehow damage the baby - my mum took AB with me and I was born with an extra bone in my neck (actually doesn't affect me at all really, which I'm so grateful about as doctors say that's very lucky) and PCOS, probably both totally unrelated but who knows for sure?!

Does anyone know if I can afford to wait a few days with a UTI, I guess because of the bloody hospital I've already waited 3 weeks with it! Thanks again for support (and hi kelly my short cervix club friend!)

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Slw8000 · 04/06/2013 10:32

Take them, esp if your cervix is ready short (I am paranoid!). They will not harm your baby but the complications of having a premie are endless, learning diff's, brain damage, deafness, sight problems, chronic lung disease to name a few!

Original poster

Alexandra6 · 04/06/2013 10:44

Thanks slw I'm not at risk of premmie now as only 15 weeks but I know that I am at risk of preterm miscarriage if I get a bad infection. Just been to the hospital, they've said they will try to have fresh results on new sample by Friday (so annoyed at them for three week delay) and I'm seeing my GP now because I heard they can do some kind of immediate urine check? Will see what they say and pick up the antibiotic prescription today anyway. Do you think I can afford to wait a few more days? Impossible to say, I guess, maybe I'm being silly I just know how guilty I'll feel pumping the baby full of drugs that might not be needed

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Monka · 05/06/2013 12:54

I am 30 weeks and had mild cramping pains in my stomach turns out I have a mild UTI and been prescribed antibiotics. This will be the third lot I am taking in my pregnancy. First was for an ear infection, second was for a gum infection. You just have to weigh up all the risks and decide for yourself and baby. I even had a dental X-ray. I don't want the baby to come early so am taking the antibiotics.

We absorb a lot of chemicals in our body anyway from cosmetics use (like lipsticks which you are eating as they are on your lips and deodorants) toiletries and probably get more prolonged low level radiation from the use of mobile phones, laptops, TV's etc so although your natural instinct is to protect your baby from harmful unnecessary drugs we are all exposed to so much and the majority of people turn out fine.

Smerlin · 05/06/2013 17:11

Sorry to be direct but you keep repeating your question in the hope someone will give you a different answer.

There isn't a proven risk to your baby from taking antibiotics in pregnancy but there is a proven risk from having a uti.

I don't see how further discussion is needed really.

FoofFighter · 05/06/2013 18:35

To be blunt, agree with Smerlin here.

You could be causing more damage NOW by not taking them, than BY taking them, real risks... it's already been pointed out that they are safe in pregnancy, I think there is a bigger issue here.

Perhaps you should think about talking to your GP or MW about anxiety?

RainboxFX · 05/06/2013 19:10

Hi Alex, me from the short cervix club again!

Please take your anti Bs. This pregnancy I thought I was in premature labour at 21 weeks, turned out to be a UTI. I know each decision is terrifying and agonising, and you only want to do what is best for your baby. But the risks of an untreated UTI becoming a worse infection, or moving to your kidneys, is far greater than the risks from some common and fairly benign Anti Bs.

Thinking about you, take care. x

Original poster

Alexandra6 · 06/06/2013 15:34

Thanks rainbow - I went to the hospital on tues after I found out and insisted they retest as quickly as possible as it had been three weeks since the infected sample. Just phoned and this sample was absolutely fine, no bacteria growth at all! Midwife said my body must have cleared it. So sounds like no need at all for a course of antibiotics. I'll make sure they keep checking it regularly just in case it comes back (and I'll def take antibiotics if they find out I've got it) but good news I'll just keep on their case so they tell me results quickly in future and they're still relevant!

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Original poster

Alexandra6 · 06/06/2013 15:39

Oh and in case this is helpful for anyone - a GP can do a quick test to check for major urine infection too (mine did one for me on Tues and it came out clear) x

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RainboxFX · 06/06/2013 16:52

SO glad to hear all is well! Mine lingered for ages, but they did keep taking regular samples. Bit awful having to wait three weeks for a diagnosis! Especially on such a simple dip test!

They are really common in pregnancy though. Keep drinking lots!

Take care x

retroelle · 06/06/2013 17:22

When I went to my 16 week midwife appointment, it turned out that my booking-in urine had revealed a UTI and I was supposed to have antibiotics but no-one followed it up! They sent my urine off again, but now it's come back inconclusive and has to be redone. So I could have had a urinary tract infection for several months without symptoms or treatment :( I'm definitely taking the antibiotics, if they think I need them.

Original poster

Alexandra6 · 06/06/2013 19:00

It's so bad isn't it that they don't follow up quickly! Yes I would def take them too, if they thought I needed them, which they did three weeks ago but didn't tell me! I don't need them now as my UTI has gone but if your results are inconclusive, maybe get them to retest ASAP? Good luck.

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