Antibiotics - did anyone take them when pg - was your bub okay?

[SammyBags]

I had a really bad chest infection at 18 weeks and very reluctantly took penicillin, now am reading that they may cause cerebral palsy. Did anyone take them and were you and bub okay?

I did (at about the same stage too - 19 weeks I think) and everything was absolutely fine.

I have no knowledge of CP, but I would have thought that 18 weeks would be quite far on for that sort of thing to develop no? Someone who knows more will no doubt be along.

Yes I had a couple of courses of cephalixin when pg with DD3 and a course of something - I can't remeber what when pg with DTDs.

All are fine.

Penicllin is regarded as safe in pg...and a quick google does not suggest to me that penicillin causes cerebal palsy.

If there is a link (which I can't find) the risk will be small.

I had a bad chest infection at 20 weeks and was in hospital for a few days. The consultant said that around 16 weeks or so is ok to take anti-biotics if absolutely necessary.

Dd was fine.

I took them for a uti that i had at about 12 weeks, the uti reared it ugly head again 2 weeks before i was due, ds was fine but cos i didnt finsih the course the infection ended up in my blood stream resulting in a longer stay in hospital, but ds was ok.

I've taken them twice during pregnancy - for tonsillitis and a UTI. I saw three doctors about it and they all said peniccillin in pregnancy is fine. Where did you hear about the CP link?

have had antibiotics inthis pregnancy and in previous. none of mine have CP.

Is reassuring to he your storeis - there has been some stuff in the press today linking antibiotics to CP if taken during premature labour but the way the story was written implied there may be general risks taking them during pregnancy.
To be honest I really needed them as could not shake off the infection. Doc said all was okay, had my 20 week scan and bub's measurements are fine (I know it doesn't mean nothing's wrong but...). We are taking part in a maternity study of first-time parents at Addenbrookes (Cambridge) so we get two extra scans - 28 and 36 weeks as well as two more check ups which might reassure me and my OH.

Took shedloads(including iv) when 31 wks with dd2 (had appendicitis, also had appendix removed). DD2 is a happy healthy 2.5 yo now

Took shedloads(including iv) when 31 wks with dd2 (had appendicitis, also had appendix removed). DD2 is a happy healthy 2.5 yo now

I'm probably just being over-worried! Hopefully I haven't scared anyone. xx

Sammybags - I've been looking at the news report of the recent report on antibiotics and cerebral palsy - and it's incredibly confusing! Even the researchers don't seem to know what the results show.

It's hardly reassuring for us pregnant women is it?

And I also took antibiotics during my previous pregnancies (in fact, I had hardly ever taken antibiotics before pregnancy - maybe once in my whole life) - and I had antibiotics during labour to treat GBS. Both of my children are fine.

I took them pretty much throughout both pregnancies as I had urine infections both times. I was so concnered about taking them the first time that i told the Dr i would prefer just to manage the physical symptoms by drinking lots of water and not take any medication. he told me leaving the infection untreated was a greater risk to my child than taking antibiotics. I have two extremely healthy and bright DSs now aged 4 and 8.

The study showed a possible risk only in women who went into premature labour AND didn't have ruptured membranes AND using erythromycin (which is NOT related to penicillin anyway).

Untreated infections in pregnancy are much greater (and definite risk) to the baby than a tiny possible theoretical risk from antibiotics.

I took Erythomycin for 3 weeks at 29-32 weeks for ruptured membranes ( to prevent infection ). DD was born at 32+2 and is fine.

i had two lots of hard core anti bs in the first 6 weeks of pregnancy for a lung infection - - ds3 is fine

I was on antibiotics virtually every month when pg with dd as every month i had my urine checked i had an infection...she was fine.