Persistent UTI - help

[ThirdTimeLuckyIHope]

I had antibiotics last week which made me feel a bit better until I finished them now the cramps are back occasionally and lower back pain - I'm 14 weeks tomorrow and it's really making me worry

The doctor did say I might need more so I will be calling again tomorrow morning

I've had two MCs already this year and this is really making me anxious

All was well at the 12 week scan

Is there anything I should be doing to help?

Just here to keep you company. I'm 15 weeks today and have had a UTI since the beginning of pregnancy. I'm now on my 5th different antibiotic, and if these don't work I'll be sent to the urologist. It's horrible, because I don't know whether the little twinges are bladder or womb-related (it's my 1st time). Plus I'm worried about the effects of all the pills and powders. The obstetrician told be to try to drink 3L of water a day, but with morning sickness and cold weather I find that really hard.

@LaMadrilena

Just here to keep you company. I'm 15 weeks today and have had a UTI since the beginning of pregnancy. I'm now on my 5th different antibiotic, and if these don't work I'll be sent to the urologist. It's horrible, because I don't know whether the little twinges are bladder or womb-related (it's my 1st time). Plus I'm worried about the effects of all the pills and powders. The obstetrician told be to try to drink 3L of water a day, but with morning sickness and cold weather I find that really hard.

Have you tried drinking water hot? Room temp water isn't great so can be hard to get enough in during the winter, cold water is good in hot weather but when it's cold I drink loads of hot water - add a bit of cold to boiling water - it's surprisingly easy to get used to.

I'd call 111 and ask about getting a repeat prescription today.

I've always suffered from UTIs and they do need managing promptly in pregnancy.

My consultant also said last time (as did 111, a GP and a nurse) that drinking loads and loads actually won't help and might make things worse. Enough to be really well hydrated and flush things through is good - more than usual too as you're weeing more - but drinking pints and pints of water beyond normal consumption actually makes the inflammation worse as you're stressing the whole system.

Hi, I'm in my 4th/5th week of pregnancy. Have UTI and been prescribed Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid). There is mixed research data on it's safety in first trimester, so near want to know is anyone has taken it between 4th to 9th week and did it have any effect on the baby?
Please any info would help to put my mind at ease. Thanks

@LaMadrilena @TheTeenageYears @ShowOfHands @Vpri thanks for your comments and advice ladies. It's such a worrying time and unusual pains don't make it any easier

I shall let you know how I get on tomorrow I hope you all start feeling better

@Vpri I took nitrofurantoin when I was about 7 weeks and again last week 13 weeks doesn't seem to have had any side effects to the baby. My doctor said that it should go straight in to your pee so only a very tiny amount of any will pass through baby

I'm getting another lot this week because it hasn't shifted the UTi completely

I'm 8+2 today and have already been through 2 rounds of antibiotics (Nitrofurantoin and Cefalexin) plus countless courses when TTC as I was getting a UTI pretty much every month. I'm still not sure if the UTI has fully gone. I don't really have much advice other that to say I feel everyone's pain!

The BNF, NHS and BUMPs website all say Nitrofurantoin is safe for pregnancy.

@ThirdTimeLuckyIHope I've had 2MC this year as well and have also had UTIs in this PG so I understand your concern. It is so worrying anyway and then having painful unexplained stomach cramps doesn't help!

The Dr didn't let me know my urine test came back showing infection for 4 weeks after the first test and I assumed the cramping pains were to do with the PG as I had no other UTI symptoms. The pain actually got so bad I couldn't sit down and I was worried it was another MC but baby was fine at my scan. I was eventually prescribed co-amoxiclav at 12 weeks but that didn't shift the infection (which I reckon I'd had for about 6 weeks by that point!) Then had nitrofurantoin at 13 weeks and that seemed to do the trick (although it made me feel awful!) - no bad tummy pains then until last week when they've started again. Just went to the midwife today at 22 wks and I have elevated nitrates so probably another UTI - just waiting for the proper results. Baby seems fine - his heartbeat is regular and the right speed, he was measuring almost exactly on the line at 20 week scan and he's been giving me little kicks all morning. I know nothing will take the worry away entirely but I hope that's reassuring!

@Mimba1 thank you for sharing

@ThirdTimeLuckyIHope @Mimba1 thanks for sharing your experiences. It's such a worry to take antibiotics in first trimester. I just hope these drugs don't affect the baby.

@Vpri do try not to worry. Thousands of women have had these drugs in pregnancy and if there are risks they will be incredibly small. Most studies in pregnancy aren't that conclusive from what I can tell - they can't exactly give a load of women something that might be harmful just to find out if it actually is. If you are concerned (it sounds like you are) maybe speak to your Dr or call your EPU and ask them about why they selected that antibiotic and mention the research you've seen - there might be a different one they could prescribe instead.

@Mimba1 you are right. The research is inconclusive. There is only a slight increase in birth anomalies according to research data and majority of women will go on to have normal pregnancies. I spoke to my GP and he reassured me about its safety. It was a relief. I have already started my Nitrofurantoin and am on my second day of treatment. I should now complete the whole course (or at least 5 days) otherwise the bacteria will develop resistance to Nitrofurantoin. I've decided not to worry much as stress is not good either. I just hope this UTI doesn't come back again.

Look at taking D-mannose, it's a natural sugar you can take. It changed my life after years of uti's, antibiotics and almost surgery. Many gp's haven't heard of it but it does have robust studies. You can take it while pregnant and I promise it works. It's a godsend, I've recommended it many times with success.

@grapefruitish thanks for the suggestion. I'll definitely try it. UTIs are very stubborn sometimes and keep coming back. So anything that gets rid of them for good and doesn't affect the baby would be amazing!