Kidney infection/ Hydronephrosis. Cefalexin rest of pregnancy

[Annieeeee]

Hey Mums! I haven't posted here aside from one other time so i have probably posted in the wrong place but please bare with me. I have had 4 UTIS/ Kidney infections in the past three months, i am 26 weeks pregnant. Basically my last one landed me in hospital with a fever of 40 degrees celsius, a pulse that was sitting at 130 bpm and an awful lot of pain. This has lead doctors to finding out i have hydronephrosis which is basically where baby and my uterus are blocking off the tubes leading from my kidneys and not letting enough urine out which is then leading to a build up of urine/ bacteria and then leading to infection after infection. I was in hospital for four days and had 3 rounds of iv antibiotics (cefalexin) and then i got discharged and sent home to continue cefalexin tablets 2, four times a day for the course of them (5 days) and now i am onto 1 a day for the rest of my pregnancy to try and prevent a build up of bacteria. I was wondering if anybody else was in my boat, or was on antibiotics for the duration oft their pregnancy! Would love to hear from you!

[Fairylea]

Hi I’m on cefalexin daily long term for recurrent cystitis- I’m 38 now and have been on them since I was 14 and throughout my two pregnancies. No issues whatsoever.

[elliesm98]

I’ve been taking cefalexin twice a day for the past week for UTI, don’t feel like they’ve made any difference

[Annieeeee]

Hi Fairylea! Im glad you commented! I had messaged you due to finding you on an old thread! What are you on a day? just one?

[Annieeeee]

@elliesm98 thats a low dose! usually if i have a uti its straight onto atleast three tablets a day, 500 mg each? I would go back to the doctors it should be working by now, they may need to up the dose or change the anti biotic. Trust me you dont want to end up with one like mine was.

[elliesm98]

The dosage is 500mg taken twice daily. I take it in liquid form but think it would be 1 tablet twice a day. Was a really strong uti too, one of the worst I’ve ever had. Got to hand in my urine sample today so will see if there’s any change. Not happy they gave me the worst tasting one as well would of been a lot happier with trimethoprim as at least I know that works for me

[Fairylea]

Hi, I’ve just read your message

I’ll reply here incase anyone else wants to know ... I have always been able to self medicate.
My urologist prescribed a lot of them to me every month and basically I normally take 1 500mg a day but if I feel I’m getting an infection I would increase this to 3 or even 4 a day. This was the same during my pregnancies (10 years apart). I would have times where I took a higher dose and other times where I would just take one.

Generally if you feel they aren’t working after a couple of days at a higher dose you might need some different ones. I’ve had very bad infections where they’ve had to give me 3 different lots before they’ve finally cracked it.

It’s really important to treat utis during pregnancy as otherwise they can cause complications.

I did have complications with my pregnancies but it was nothing to do with the antibiotics at all (placenta previa issues!)

Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

[Jessesgirl13]

Hi Annieee, ive been on cefalexin throughout my pregnancy due to chronic cystitis. Im on quite a high dose, 500mg 4x a day! I had issues with infection before getting pregnant and was on nitrofurentoine constantly before, but pregnancy made the infection worse so moved to cefalexin.

Im currently 33 weeks and if I miss a couple of doses i notice the effects!

[JulietteIsabelle]

Hi Jessie! I am on a similar situation with antibiotics wanted to know how everything had turned out? How is your baby? I am so scared this will affect baby. Really appreciate any thoughts here. Thank you!!! @Jessesgirl13

[JulietteIsabelle]

Hi Annie just wondering how your pregnancy went and how your baby is doing? Really scared of how much antibiotic ive had to have. Thanks!!!! @Annieeeee

[Jessesgirl13]

Hi @JulietteIsabelle! My baby is now a very energetic 3 year old! Everything turned out fine with being on the antibiotics. I've even had another baby since where I managed on a slightly lower dose. 🙂

[JulietteIsabelle]

Congratulations Jessie! Thank you so much for your response and guidance. I was so worried about antibiotics affecting the babys brain and microbiome :( thank you!!! @Jessesgirl13

[MarieCC]

Hi there

I know this post is old but I wanted to join as I wanted to know did you all have healthy babies after taking Cefalexin?
I hate all the ingredients in the coating ammonia est

I was put on a course of Cefalexin yday as I have an asymptomatic UTI. I’m literally 37 weeks tomorrow and feel disappointed that I made it this far to get a UTI.
I have a stitch so I am high risk.
I have started taking as I know a UTI untreated is dangerous in pregnancy when not treated.

Just wanted reassurance that all was ok with your babies

Thank you so much

[Jessesgirl13]

I have two healthy babies (now 4yrs old and 2yrs old) and I was on cefalexin throughout at quite a high dose. Both currently running around causing chaos :)

Good luck with your imminent arrival! x

[MarieCC]

Awww thank you so much for your response.
My pregnancy is high risk anyways because of my cerclage.
Thanks for feedback x

[Julieisa]

Hi!! No worries at 37 weeks nothing will happen. I had 7 courses of high dose and now 14 month old is doing great!!! All will be fine enjoy your baby best of luck :)

[Ljordan13]

I know this is a really old thread but I am in this scenario… hydronephrosis which is causing recurrent UTIs had 3 courses and now they are recommending a low dose daily?

How are your LO?