Should I take antibiotics?

[Hallebere]

Just looking for a bit of reassurance/advice. I've been really ill and I'm on week 3 or what I can only describe as some sort of flu/throat virus. About a week ago the temp had stopped but my throat was so sore I went to the docs. He prescribed me antibiotics but said see if your body can fight it off first for a few days. Well, it hasn't and I'm a week on. I still sound like Marge Simpson and have no energy and a sore throat. I'm scared to take the antibiotics in case it harms the baby but I've been talking paracetamol for over 2 weeks and surely that can't be good either. What would you advise I do? Plod on like this or take the antibiotics?

I forget to add I'm 18 weeks

Take the antibiotics - assuming the doctor knew you were pregnant, you wouldn't have been prescribed antibiotics that weren't safe for baby.

@stichguru I think I will. Haven't feel this ill for this long in years.

Yes he knew. He tried to give me a throat spray but when he looked it up they weren't safe in pregnancy so I'm assuming the antibiotics are. I don't even know what they are called as the prescription went straight to the pharmacy

Which do you think it's safer for the baby:

1. to be growing inside a mum that feels awful that's struggling to fight off a bug
2. to be growing inside a mum that feels better because she has taken the perfectly safe medication prescribed by the doctor, who would not have prescribed them if they weren't safe.

In short, of course you should not ignore medical advice. Take the medicines feel better.

Ps: I was on three lots of prescription level cocodamol a day for most of my pregnancies for severe SPD. Try to wean myself off them gradually at 36 weeks so baby didn't get withdrawal. The various courses of antibiotics I took pretty minimal in comparison

Just looked on NHS app and doc has prescribed Phenoxymethylpenicillin

@Babyboomtastic Thank you. I needed to hear this.

If it helps, I’ve taken antibiotics twice in my pregnancy (currently 31 weeks) and the midwife’s advice has always been that there’s more risk to the baby by not taking them. Obviously completely your choice but I found that helpful as I was nervous too. Hope you feel better soon!

That's good to hear @Bellebg and very reassuring. I'm going to go for it. I haven't seen the midwife since by booking in appointment. I was meant to have an appointment at 16 weeks but I felt too ill.