Antibiotics in pregnancy

[scamperT]

Hello there, apologies if this has already been dealt with in another thread but I am going cross eyed trying to read them all!!

I am usually on the miscarriage threads as this has not been a good year for me.

But my little sis is now 14 weeks pg so at least I will hopefully be an aunty next June!

I have a question from her (she hasn't discovered the wonders of MN yet herself) - she has a sinus and lung infection and has been prescribed an antibiotic called CEPHALAXIN but is scared to take it in case it hurts the baby.

Does anyone have experience of taking this or other antibiotics in pregnancy?

Her doctor said it could be more dangerous to baby to let the infection continue - she has been ill for over 2 weeks now - but she is still worried and hasn't taken any of the antibiotics yet

A friend had antibiotics in pregnancy and her daughter is fine. Good luck to your sister.

Hi - dont know about this AB i'm afraid but I am now on my 2nd course :-( for a chest infection at 23 weeks. I let it drag on for too long as I didnt want to take them either (and then the doctors had been say saying it was viral) so it has got quite deep routed i think and I am now having trouble shifting it. So I would really suggest she tries to get on top of it asap

I have just finished my fourth course of ab's in this pregnancy.
As long as the doctor that prescribed the drug was aware that your sis is pregnant then they'll be fine.
The danger with taking ab's in pregnancy is normally if they are given during labour

hi,
cephalexin is a broad spectrum antibiotic that is safe to take during pregnancy. i took these for 30 of the 42 weeks of my preg with DD as i had severe kidney infections and couldnt shift them. they are one of about 3 that are completely safe during preg and your sister is likely to be doing more harm not following the course tbh. tell her she MUST follow the doctors advice and also drink plently of water so she isnt dehydrated whilst on them as it will take longer for them to work as there is no moisture to carry away the infection or to loosen up her chest.
good luck and soory to hear of your troubles in the past year i know exactly how it feels as 2008 has been a crappy year for me aswell i hope 2009 is much better for you
xx ei xx

I have had cephalexin 3 times in pg (twice in once in another) for a UTI.

It is one of the ABs of choice in pg because it has the most safety data on I think

I had IV antibiotics when I was 23 weeks pregnant - no choice, I would have lost the baby otherwise. Afterwards I did worry the baby may have ben harmed, but the medics reasured me he would be fine, adn he was.

thank you all for your messages - MN is such a supportive and helpful place!

Sorry to hear 2008 has also been sad for you ei, wishing you a happier 2009, I have great hopes for it

Grateful waves to all xx