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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Antibiotics, How safe really are they ???

30 replies

Rachee · 29/09/2007 22:34

I have been detected as having protien in my urine, 32 weeks pg, and have been perscribed 'amoxocillin'. I know that they say it is safe, but i want to know if it affects babbies imune system, i have been a real saint all the way through pg and eating oodles of fruit and veg and pregnacare tablets at night too, drinking lots, etc. I have a fab immune system and never get ill.... LOL. So don't want to give unborn antibiotics to mess his natural system up, plus if i take antibiotics i will get thrush too.......

Shall or can i drink my way out of the infection ??? i feel 100% and have no symptoms

OP posts:
fihi · 29/09/2007 22:40

get appointment with GP to discuss your concerns! wish i had, get the answers from some1 who has all the info. good luck!

Nbg · 29/09/2007 22:45

tbh, I would say the effects of you not taking the ab's would be worse than if you did.

Original poster
Rachee · 29/09/2007 22:47

Doctor just said they were safe, i didn't go into immune system worries....
Waiting on call back from midwife to discuss fully.....
Its like drinking though, one minute its safe then they say NO .....

OP posts:
TotalChaos · 29/09/2007 22:48

I agree with NBG. If you have a urinary tract infection that is untreated, that could lead to a kidney infection which is not at all pleasant.

Niecie · 29/09/2007 22:50

Rachee I don't want to be alarmist but I was told that urine infections can bring on labour. Don't know how but certainly when I thought I had one the midwife told me this. The doctor wouldn't have given them to you if they thought it would do any damage.

Good luck with your baby.

SlightlyMadSweden · 29/09/2007 22:51

Antibiotics don't affect your own immune system AFAIK. They kill the bugs 'chemically' rather than helping your immune system to do it IYSWIM.

TBH you are potentially putting your baby at greater risk not taking them IMH. A UTI can cause premature labour, which at 32wks isn't teh end of hte world but certainly worth avoiding.

Original poster
Rachee · 29/09/2007 22:52

the sample was done tuesday morning, surely i would have symptoms by now if it was worse..... couldn't i have fought it off already ?

OP posts:
SlightlyMadSweden · 29/09/2007 22:52

Neicie...deffo true. An infected bladder lies against and irritates uterus, which starts contracting and can lead to prem labour.

SlightlyMadSweden · 29/09/2007 22:52

UTIs are no t necessarily symptomatic in pregnancy

SlightlyMadSweden · 29/09/2007 22:59

GP is likley to know more than MW TBH. Also a pharmacist will potentially know more about the effects that GP and certainly MW.

Original poster
Rachee · 29/09/2007 23:00

I think antibiotics Do affect your immune system .... they stop you building a natural resistance and relief. I don't want an icky baby cause i had to have anti's. Isn't there a herbal alternative? ( i sound all new age, LOL, i just want the best start for baby)

why would i have no symptoms?? why don't they show up during pregnancy if they do at other times?

OP posts:
Nbg · 29/09/2007 23:03

Sometimes UTI's do go unnoticed in pg because of all the changes in your body.

I really really wouldnt risk not taking them tbh.

bookthief · 29/09/2007 23:06

The best start for your baby is for you to be well surely?

If you're not going to take the antibiotics please at least see your gp so that you can be monitored rather than self-medicating with alternative medicines or taking nothing. Your gp needs to know that the infection is not being treated so they can advise you of the potential risks.

SlightlyMadSweden · 29/09/2007 23:08

Agree'd they can to a cetain extent prevent you building a memroy to teh invading bugs if used too early, but your LO won't have any bugs that the ABs will be killing.

Besides in utero the immune system works in a different way - learning to recognise 'self'. ABs cannot interfer with this.

I don't know why pregnant women can have asymptomatic UTIs. I just know they can. Maybe its because you wee so frequently anyway that the symptoms of frequent weeing and stinging are not as noticable cos the bugs don't sit in the bladder so long???

I gave birth at 27wks so was monitored closely for my 2nd preg. I didn't just have dipstick tests for infection. I had swabs taken from my ureter (ouch) fortnightly to be doubly sure as it is one of the most recorded causes for prem labour.

Original poster
Rachee · 29/09/2007 23:08

so you don't think i can have drunk my way out of it already ?? cleared up already??

what affects does anti's have on baby ??

OP posts:
SlightlyMadSweden · 29/09/2007 23:09

(or do I mean urethra - can't remember which one is above and below bladder???)

Original poster
Rachee · 29/09/2007 23:11

prem labour IS the worst idea..... will get prescription made up in the morning, or should i go get it tonight ??

OP posts:
SlightlyMadSweden · 29/09/2007 23:12

I don't know what effects ABs have on baby TBH, I just know that penicillins (which amoxycillin is) are regarded as safe for baby. i.e. there are no noticable effects to babies that have been exposed to them. Some drugs don't even cross the placenta.

Lots of women take penicillin when pregnant. They will have monitored if there is anything wrong with the babies.

TBH the way that penicillin works it doesn't actually do much to human organs AFAIK

SlightlyMadSweden · 29/09/2007 23:13

Where wil you get it tonight?

Given that you have left it this long I am sure that the morning will be fine.

Nbg · 29/09/2007 23:13

Rachee, I have a duplex kidney and as a result of that I have had a gizillion UTI's and I'm under a consultant for all my pregnancies.

I can honestly say I have never ever drunk my way through a UTI.

Original poster
Rachee · 29/09/2007 23:14

boots pharmacy open till midnight.....

only got phone call today and gp persciption at 5pm.....

OP posts:
SlightlyMadSweden · 29/09/2007 23:16

Thats up to you. If it was me (and I was high risk for prem labour - but then I would have been given ABs with a dipstick result not a culture so bit different) I would probably do it tomorrow if I was confident there would be somewhere open.

YOu are only delaying first dose. It will take more than one dose to start to be effective

Original poster
Rachee · 29/09/2007 23:17

thank you , Its so good to know that there is always someone out there willing to help !!!

I will slepp well, and eat tablets..... promise. xXx

OP posts:
SlightlyMadSweden · 29/09/2007 23:17

No probs. Have a good night

macdoodle · 30/09/2007 09:03

Please take the antibiotics there is no RISK to you or baby - herbal drinking ikes will not help and the risks to baby much higher if not taking...if you are not going to have treatment probably worth avoiding the tests in the first place