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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Have been prescribed some antibiotics I dont think I should take..........

20 replies

becaroo · 19/08/2008 13:44

...I am 36 weeks this week and had a urine culture done due to abdominal pain.

Found out (by chance!) yesterday at my ante natal appointment that I have a water infection.

The doctor precribed me an antibiotic called nitrofurantoin - I am allergic to penecillin and there are some others I cant take either - so am very wary of meds I havent had before.

Anyway, just looked it up on the internet and it stated that it should not be given to women in the 3rd trimester as it can cause something called foetal heamolysis (sp?)

So, Should I call the doctor and ask for a different med? Am VERY confused.

OP posts:

mears · 19/08/2008 13:45

I would call doctor to check.

thehouseofmirth · 19/08/2008 13:55

I'd double check with GP and if he still says it's OK I'd speak to your pharmacist when you pick it up. They often know a lot more about drugs than doctors.

fragola · 19/08/2008 14:23

I agree with thehouseofmirth, check with your GP and double check with your pharmacist. Pharmacology in medical training has been increasingly downgraded and means that doctors often don't understand all of the effects of what they are prescribing.

LeonieD · 19/08/2008 14:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Pontypine · 19/08/2008 15:23

I was given cephalexin for a water infection a few weeks back and i threw them up big time and ended up in hospital and was then given the choice of amoxycillin medicine or a drip for 24hrs!!

Ring the doctor and see what he/she or ring the maternity unit and ask their doctor

Original poster

becaroo · 19/08/2008 18:07

Rang the GP - he refused to speak to me and told the receptionist to tellme to contact the hospital that had prescribed them.

Obviously, clinic not open today and registrar who gave me the prescription not in. Spoke to a midwife who then rang me back and advised me that as my urine had benn dipped yesterday I was probably fine and to get another sample to them on thursday.

Then about an hour later another midwfie rang apparently the GP had rung them and was very rude, basically saying sort it out its your problem - and she has told me NOT to take the meds as they are not safe in late pregnancy and I have to go back tomorrow and get some Trimethoprim instead which are apparently OK.

The irony is, I only asked about the results as an afterthought as I was leaving the office - If I hadnt asked I would not be getting any treatment at all.

I just want to cry.

OP posts:

Hux · 19/08/2008 18:16

Why do you wan to cry? It's sorted now you did the right thing by checking, the doctor is obviously annoyed because he's realised he's messed up and doesn't want to admit it. Don't let that effect you though. Just go and get your new meds tomorrow and be mindful next time you go.

Don't be upset though, you've sorted it. I understand it's frustrating but don't get down about it when it's all ok now.

star6 · 19/08/2008 18:26

I understand, becaroo, you feel like you've been jerked around this way and that and if you hadn't noticed it they would have just let you take a medication that was dangerous to you and your baby. It's a scary thing, especially when you're 36 weeks pregnant!! You poor thing. I'm so sorry this happened to you. I would feel like crying, too (and I'm only 32 weeks). Bu Hux is right, don't let it stress you out now. Try to relax that it's sorted now

Original poster

becaroo · 19/08/2008 18:38

Thanks star. Not normally such a baby about things but, like you say, if I hadnt noticed what would have happened?

Hope your next 8 weeks are stress free! x

OP posts:

mears · 19/08/2008 20:14

Can you explain to me how this urine infection was diagnosed?

When was the urine culture done? Did you still have symptoms when you were at the AN clinic?

Original poster

becaroo · 19/08/2008 20:42

Hello Mears. It was done last tuesday at the Maternity Assessment Unit. There were lukocites (sp?) in my urine +++ so they sent it off to be cultured and it grew enterococcus (sp?). Due to my allergy and this particular bacteria apparently there are not many ABs I can take for it.

Dont really have any symptoms as such, except these strong runs of regular bh contractions which they think is due to the infection.

They have now prescribed me Trimethoprim which I am going to start in the morning.
Hope it doesnt make me too ill!

OP posts:

mears · 19/08/2008 20:47

when a culture comes back it usually states the sensitivities.

Hope it clears soon

Original poster

becaroo · 19/08/2008 20:59

Thanks!

OP posts:

LeonieD · 20/08/2008 08:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

becaroo · 20/08/2008 15:07

Have started it this morning.

Midwife just rang....I asked her to check some bloods I had done 4 weeks ago at my last appointment.

I asked AGAIN yesterday and she rang about an hour ago - I am amaemic and need iron tabs.

So, a water infection I wouldnt know about if I hadnt asked and now anaemia, too.

OP posts:

mears · 20/08/2008 22:52

Anaemia isn't uncommon in pregnancy and the need to treat with iron can be contraversial. Michel Odent says anaemia is a sign of a well functioning placenta!

Try and avoid tea and coffee with meals - have some orange juice instead - it aids iron absorption.

mears · 20/08/2008 22:52

Anaemia isn't uncommon in pregnancy and the need to treat with iron can be contraversial. Michel Odent says anaemia is a sign of a well functioning placenta!

Try and avoid tea and coffee with meals - have some orange juice instead - it aids iron absorption.

KerryMum · 20/08/2008 23:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Rhian82 · 21/08/2008 14:15

Agh I know. I had something similar - when I first told my GP I was pregnant, it didn't occur to her to check the meds I was already on. I had to bring it up with her as to whether they were okay. I ended up being switched to a different med which was better for during pregnancy, but when I looked it up it turned out it wasn't suitable for the third trimester! If I hadn't looked that up myself, I really doubt that anyone would have noticed and I'd still be taking them now!

Original poster

becaroo · 21/08/2008 16:00

Its pretty scary, isnt it?

Have written a letter of complaint to the surgery practice manager - not sure whether to send it frankly but it made me feel a bit better writing it all down.

Mears....am not going to take the iron meds as I am already on meds that make me really constipated so I have started having 2 x sachets of Spatone a day with orange juice (which I LOATHE but am forcing it down!).

Really have NO faith in the system at the moment - hospital doesnt commmunicate with my GP surgery and my GP/midwife dont communicate with me.

Also, as a high risk pregnancy I really feel I should have been seen more than 4 times? I am now 36 weeks and have got a midwife apppiontment a week today - I have just read that you should see your midwife every week at 36 weeks!

Feel like road kill....

OP posts:

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