Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) at 4th or 5th week of pregnancy

[Vpri]

Hi,
After trying for one and a half years, I have just found out I am 4 weeks pregnant. I have also been diagnosed with UTI. GP has prescribed Nitrofurantoin. I'm worried as research data suggests there is mixed evidence of Cleft palate and microcephaly with use of Nitrofurantoin in first trimester.
Lips, face and palate begins to develop from 4th to 9th week. I know, in the UK GPs generally prescribe Nitrofurantoin in first trimester but in the USA Keflex (cephalexin) is prescribed as American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologist (ACOG) advises Nitrofurantoin can cause birth defects in first trimester. CDC advises the same. Their advise is to use Nitrofurantoin if other safer antibiotics are not effective.

So I'm really worried as I'm in 4th/5th week of pregnancy (when baby's lips and palate start to develop) and there is mixed research data on safety of Nitrofurantoin in first trimester.

So I want to ask women who have suffered from urinary infections early on in their pregnancy and taken Nitrofurantoin anytime between 4th to 9th weeks. I'm not asking about 2nd trimester or early 3rd trimester. My question is specific for use of Nitrofurantoin between 4th and 9th weeks and did it affect your baby in any way?

This is driving me crazy as mixed research data exists online. So thought will ask on mumsnet to women who have taken Nitrofurantoin in early pregnancy. Any information will be extremely helpful. Thanks

I think the risk of complications from a UTI would outweigh the risks of birth defects from nitrofurantoin. I would always recommend the BUMPs website if you’re concerned:

www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/Nitrofurantoin/

Or speak to your GP for further reassurance.

I had to take it in early pregnancy and currently 33 weeks with no seen problems on scans and I've had a lot of them! Google is not your friend trust me!

Thanks for your prompt replies.
@EllieJai44 do you remember which week did you take Nitrofurantoin?
I know I'm probably worrying more than I should but I'm in my mid 30s and after trying for a long time I've gotten pregnant. This is my first pregnancy so I'm really anxious.

@Vpri I was 8 weeks and had a 5 day course of it :) I know what you mean about being really anxious, we had 3 miscarriages before this pregnancy, but this will be my second child as already have a daughter

Thanks @EllieJai44.
I can't stop worrying. I just hope there will be no side effects on the baby.

I had a three day course of nitrofurantoin at 8 weeks. It was prescribed by my midwife after they detected a UTI from a sample I had to give at my booking in appointment.

I was worried about taking but my midwife, GP and pharmacist all said that it was safe and that developing a kidney infection would be worse for baby. Apparently it does not go into your blood, it goes straight to your bladder.

I'm 13 weeks now, so far so good.

@Suite88 thanks for sharing your experience. It gives me hope

I had a uti around when I was only about 4 weeks pregnant and was prescribed nitufurotoin. I’m 32 weeks now and nothing abnormal has been picked up on my scans.

@Blackbutterfly5 you were prescribed nitrofurantoin around the same time as me. Thanks for letting me know your pregnacy is progressing well. I feel much relieved
Were you prescribed a 7 day course as well?

That’s ok, yeh I was prescribed a 7 day course and I was nervous too at first about taking them but it cleared my uti up which was a relief. Hopefully everything will be fine, no known issues so far.

I had 2 courses possibly 3 in the 1st tri. Given cephalexin in the 2nd tri when nitro hadn't shifted the uti. No issues with baby.

Be careful, Nitrofuarantin can cause nerve damage, up the amount of Vitamin B12 & Folic acid supplements you are taking & increase potassium rich foods.

@Blackbutterfly5 @propertyhell thanks for your sharing your experiences. It has definitely helped my anxiety 🙂
@Nat6999 thanks for the advice. Will definitely increase potassium rich food in my diet.

Hi just wanted to know how everything turned out. I am in a very similar situation now. Would really appreciate to know. Many thanks

Hello have you got any update. Im literally in same situation.. But ive already started taking it bcz the symptoms are so painful.

Hi I am so sorry you are going through this. In my case I had no symptoms but since the bacteria was there I ended up taking 6 doses of antibiotics! Including macrobid at the end of the first trimester. Just to reassure you I have a beautiful 10 month old who is about to walk any minute and is saying mama and water! You will be fine the most important thing is to avoid a fever and if you get it, treat it! I had two fevers (covid was one) but treated them immediately. Hope you get better!

Congratulations💓I am so happy to hear that your baby is doing well Alhamdulillah. I am a 1st time mum and nerves are high! But thankfully my symptoms have gone after just taking the first dose. So thats a good sign. Thank you for the response and wish you all the best.

Hi, yes you will be fine. I have a two year old healthy baby. Nitrofurantoin is safe. Also, please don't stop after the first dose. You should complete the full course. If you don't, bacteria might return. Incomplete antibiotic doses can result in antibiotic resistance. UTI can cause fever so it's important to treat it. Even if the symptoms are gone, the treatment regime should be completed. Trust me on this, please compete the course.

Really glad to hear that, and happy to know your baby is healthy! thank you :) I am actually a medical student myself and will be starting my final year in two weeks🤞🏽. So I definitely won’t stop the course. It’s just that before taking the medication I had very obvious and painful symptoms but thank God it’s improved in just a day. I will definitely continue taking the rest.

@mekz99 good to hear that and all the best for your studies! Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!

I had take nitrofurantoin at 5th and 6th weeks pregnancy....currently I am 24th week pregnant....really very anxious about my child....let me know anybody about this

@Lathashree You should be okay. I also took it around the same time and now have a happy 2 year old

Thank you ma'am....But some data says "Nitrofurantoin can cause heart defects".....really anxious about it...really ur child is perfectly alright....