BV

[hobbschelsea18]

Hello - I’m new to MumsNet and looking for some advice, this is my first pregnancy and I think I’m around 8 weeks and 1 day (dated from my last period). I recently had unusual discharge, vaginal itching / soreness and slight swelling and the Dr confirmed it was BV. I suspected BV to begin with so used BV gel, but the symptoms did not improve so I visited my GP who reluctantly prescribed me with Metronidazole 400mg tablets to be taken twice a day. Fortunately, the symptoms seemed to vanish last Friday, and I had only taken two of the antibiotics prescribed so I decided not to continue. Over the weekend I had an overnight stay at a Manor House, made full use of the double bath with my partner and used Radox which has now triggered BV again. It is not as bad as before but there is a lot of unusual discharge and vaginal itching, should I continue to take Metronidazole tablets to clear the infection? There is a lot of warning over the internet in relation to taking these tablets, I’m not sure if there are any recent studies or concrete evidence but some website suggests increase in premature, low birth weight and even miscarriage. I just wondered if anyone else has been prescribed them during there first trimester? Or if anyone has any other tips for getting rid of BV in early pregnancy? Any advice would be appreciated x

You HAVE to take the full course of any antibiotics prescribed - stopping after just a couple when your symptoms are receding is how you end up with antibiotic-resistant bacteria which have overcome the small amount of antibiotics you hit them with and are now resistant to larger doses and impossible to treat.

I know it's too late for this rant now, but next time if you are prescribed a course of antibiotics, you really do have to take the full course. Doctors weigh up the risks of taking them against the risks that the bacteria pose to your pregancy before prescribing them - they don't do that lightly. The alternative must be worse.

Sorry, I realise that wasn't very constructive. I believe Canesten do a BV treatment, but you would have to check with a pharmacist as to whether it was preganancy safe.

Thank you, I read various information online, panicked and stopped the antibiotics. In hindsight it wasn't one of my best ideas. There are so many mixed reviews, with some saying wait until after your first trimester and studies concluding there is no actual evidence to link the medication to low birth weight, premature labour, miscarriage etc. I suppose what's meant to be will be :( I hope all will be OK with the baby x

I have had BV twice this pregnancy. Metronidazole cleared it, but it came back so I was prescribed clindamycin which knocked it on the head.

Trust your doctor. Unless you have a medical degree and years of experience in the field of prescribing to pregnant women, you are not qualified. Google is not a substitute.

Thanks - can I ask what stage of your pregnancy you were at when you were prescribed Metronidazole? Has all been OK since?

I was fifteen weeks. My pregnancy is also high risk as I'm carrying twins with in the placenta. Everything is perfectly fine with my babies. The anomaly scan at 20 weeks was fine, and both growing normally and happy. I'm now 27 weeks.

Don't worry too much about this. If you have symptoms, treat them. If you aren't comfortable with oral antibiotics, ask your doctor for a vaginal antibiotic gel. No harm will come to your babies from properly prescribed medicines - thalidomide was a long time ago and painful lessons were learned.

Thanks again - congratulations on twins! How exciting! I think I am around 8 weeks +1 day, I have a midwife appointment 13th June and then hopefully a scan to follow. I have considered a private scan but I need to clear this awful infection beforehand. I thought it was thrush as no smell just unusual discharge which has led to skin irritation and soreness. I have BV Activ Gel at home so I may use that when I go home this evening along side my remaining antibiotics.