Metronidazole in Pregnancy

[MintGreenLife]

After spotting last week I had a scan at the EPU, they also did an internal examination and found I have bacterial vaginosis. I have no symptoms apart from the spotting, but was told that was most likely coming from a polyp on my cervix.

I was prescribed Metronidazole which I picked up today. Upon reading the leaflet it says 'do not use in pregnancy unless absolutely necessary.' The pharmacist at the surgery has since called me to discus the use of it in pregnancy, and was a little unsure as to why I had been prescribed it as he said the advice he has for BV was not to treat when asymptomatic. He did say though that it's been used in pregnancy for a long time with no known ill effects.

He sent me this link which doesn't make for great reading: www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/Metronidazole/

He did agree that probably the best thing for me to do was to take it, but ultimately said it was up to me, which leaves me feeling like I have a very difficult decision to make.

I'm kicking myself for not mentioning that I'm only 11 weeks, although he should have had that info.

Has anyone taken this in pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, or know much more about it?

Forgot to say this is what the NHS website says about BV in pregnancy:

'If you develop bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy, there's a small chance of complications, such as premature birth or miscarriage.

But BV causes no problems in the majority of pregnancies.'

I was prescribed this for BV when pregnant. I was much further along when I had it. No effect on my pregnancy but itade me feel like a zombie while taking it

@PivotPivotPivottt thanks so much for your reply. I have read that it can make you feel awful. I'm weighing up wether to wait until I'm past the 12 week mark at the moment. Seems most advice says it's OK but that it should be used with caution in early pregnancy, not sure if 11 weeks is still classed as early!

Just bumping in case anyone has had experience of this in earlier pregnancy x

I was also prescribed this. I didn’t have BV but was prescribed it as a precaution as part of the recurrent miscarriage clinic I was under. I can’t remember exactly when I was told to take it, I think around 8 weeks and to complete the course, which I did. Am now over 22 weeks and all looks well! I would not delay in taking it if the doctor has prescribed it for you.

Sorry, just seen the other threads, I didn’t have any side effects with it at all, just found it a bit messy and annoying to do! I did wonder why I was prescribed it with no BV symptoms, but was told it was a precaution as it can lead to miscarriage if not treated (hence being part of my recurrent miscarriage plan along with cyclogest and aspirin).

@Grognonne brilliant thanks for getting back to me. Great to hear all is going well with your pregnancy. Sounds like you had to put it in internally? I have tablets to be taken orally. I was going to wait until tomorrow morning to check with the early pregnancy unit but am worrying now that maybe I should just start them 😕

Hi OP if they were prescribed for you by early pregnancy unit, you should take them. If you are worried then wait until tomorrow morning to call them, or ring your maternity day unit for advice. I have no personal experience in taking them x

@tobeornottobe1 thank you, I’ve decided to start taking them, but am going to call EPU tomorrow morn for reassurance that it’s the right thing to do x

Hi, I took these for BV last year and had a MMC at 7-8 weeks. I can’t say these are the cause but I’ve kicked myself ever since, I read similar stories online but my GP assured me they were safe so it could be coincidence

@Vogue1992 - sorry to hear about your miscarriage. I think it is most likely coincidence as this is actually prescribed in recurrent miscarriage clinic to prevent loss. I have had three early miscarriages prior to this pregnancy, and this was prescribed to me as a preventative. This is the first pregnancy with the metronidazole and so far, fingers crossed, is going well.

@MintGreenLife I was prescribed them for a gum infection whilst pregnant but like @PivotPivotPivottt they made me feel like a zombie and I just felt awful on them

I was prescribed metronidazole at 15 weeks PG in my last pregnancy for a kidney infection.

Made me feel almost as bad as the kidney infection did but it solved the problem and I have a very robust, healthy and developmentally normal 4 year old.

@Vogue1992 I’m so sorry for your loss.

@Grognonne thanks for the reassurance, I took the first last night but am still going to double check I’m doing the right thing with the early pregnancy unit this morn.

@SassyPants87 thanks for your reply, at least I’m prepared now for feeling awful!

@Jinglealltheway22 thanks for responding ☺️ I think from what I can tell it’s better to take the antibiotics and treat the infection, praying I don’t feel too bad on them!