Antibiotics

[beltup]

Have a rotten chest infection and have been prescribed amoxicillin by my gp. So worried about taking it though. And advice?

Amoxicillin is a category A medication in pregnancy, this means it is not known to be harmful to the baby. Seeing as it is a rather old medication (relatively speaking) i would imagine that quite a lot of women have had it in pregnancy for them to determine this.
Your GP should have checked this before prescribing it to you when pregnant. If you are still worried then call your GP or midwife or pharmacist and ask them to check again.
Personally I would imagine the potential complications from a chest infection would outweigh the risk of taking Amoxicillin but it is of course totally up to you :)
Hope you get better soon! Get lots of rest and drink lots!

"Category A

Drugs which have been taken by a large number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age without any proven increase in the frequency of malformations or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the fetus having been observed."

(I found this information on the New Zealand Formulary of Medications, I cannot link this as it does not allow viewing outside of UK and I cannot access the British one as I am not in the UK :p)

I took antibiotics during pregnancy to treat an infection. Everything was fine. I couldn't take amoxicillin either as allergic so had something a bit more obscure!

It is quite common, I think, to be prescribed antibiotics because they frequently test urine for infections.

I really wouldn't worry, but I completely understand why you are because I did. The fact is, the risk of you not fighting that infection off may well be worse.

I have taken amoxicillin several times throughout two pregnancies without any harmful effects. Are you worried it may be harmful to your baby? You can speak with your pharmacist if you are worried they should be able to put your mind at rest.

I took exactly the same for a chest infection at 10 weeks, and then a different course for an eye infection shortly after. My baby appears fine at the scans I've had so far and I haven't worried at all

You having a chest infection is going to be just as bad if not worse for your baby

Your GP would not have prescribed it to you if it was not safe.

It will be fine. I had my appendix put at 16 weeks and was on IV antibiotics for 5 days and then an oral course. Baby is now 8 months, healthy & happy. Take care of you!

It's fine - it's Cat A. The risk to your baby is much higher from an untreated infection. GPs are extremely cautious in what they prescribe to pregnant women.
Take them, rest up, feel better

Thanks ladies, my sil was horrified at me taking them and put doubts in my head

Unless your SIL is a doctor or developmental geneticist, you can safey ignore her.

Hope you feel better soon - rest, fluids, and look after yourself

I had co-amoxicillin for an awful sinus infection at 24 weeks, I worried terribly about taking them and put it off for ages which caused me to suffer for almost a month, the relief when I gave in and they worked was immense

I took them for two days and stopped but it came back with vengeance, will finish the course now