Antibiotics During Pregnancy: Are They Safe or Dangerous?

Taking medicines during pregnancy still remains a controversial and poorly studied sphere of medical science. And it especially concerns antibiotics. But still, what prevails: risk or benefit?

Actually, it’s better to refuse to take any medicines while pregnant: all the chemicals are harmful to a future mum. But different studies conducted in the last 30 years show that from 17% to 50% of all pregnant women everywhere take antibiotics. And a common tendency of its wrong usage creates the necessity of a critical look at the use of antibiotics during pregnancy.

Can Antibiotics Affect a Pregnancy Test?

In fact, any medication won’t affect the result of a pregnancy test. The only exceptions are medicines that contain the pregnancy hormone hCG. It is used to treat infertility.

When is it Better to do Without Antibiotics?

There is no sense in taking antibiotics during influenza, ARI, and ARD as they don’t have any effect on viruses. It’s also harmful to take it «for prevention» because an additional load on the liver will only prolong the recovery.

The Cases, When it is Necessary to take Antibiotics:

Pregnant-women-holding-pills
  • Inflammatory diseases
  • Bronchitis, sinusitis, pneumonia
  • Diseases of the genitourinary system
  • Rheumatism
  • Acute intestinal infection

What Antibiotics are Safe During Pregnancy?

  • Penicillin
  • Cephalosporin
  • It is used to treat chronic urinary tract infections. But a pregnant woman should stop taking this medicine in before the 36th week or in the case of premature birth.

If it is necessary for you to take antibiotics during pregnancy, take vitamins for pregnant women alongside them.

What Antibiotics are Contraindicated During Pregnancy?

  • Very dangerous for the liver of a child. It tends to accumulate in bones.
  • Taking this medicine could lead to the loss of hearing of a child.
  • Sumamed and zitrolide could be taken only in emergency cases. They are used to treat cystitis. These drugs are contraindicated in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy.
  • Metronidazole, trichopolum, flagyl. These medicines are used during urinogenital infectious diseases. They are forbidden in the first trimester and could be taken only in the second and third trimesters when the baby’s organs are already developed.
  • Ciprofloxacin, nolycin, and ciprolet exert a negative influence on the joints of a child. The medicines are contraindicated during pregnancy.
  • Furagin, furamag,
  • Levomycetin influences the bone marrow of a child and violates blood formation.
  • Biseptol slows down fetal growth and development.

The Peculiarities of Taking Antibiotics During Pregnancy

It is better to avoid taking antibiotics in the first trimester of pregnancy as it is the moment when the baby’s organs are forming. The improperly prescribed antibiotic can stop and disrupt fetal growth and development. The second and the third trimesters of pregnancy are less dangerous for the antibiotics intake. The fetus is already formed, so the antibiotics can’t cause severe pathologies. It is also better not to plan a pregnancy straight after antibiotic treatment: give your body time to recover.

Pregnant-women-holding-pills-and-fruits

There are also medicines that suppress a small group of microbes – the so-called «narrow spectrum of action» antibiotics. And there are drugs that oppress a large number of microorganisms. They can work over a wide range.

The microbiological analysis is carried out to identify the causative agent of the disease, the sensitivity to various antibiotic drugs so that the doctor can choose the right antibiotic. So, when a doctor suggests you do a test for sensitivity to the antibiotics, don’t refuse. Thanks to the result of this analysis, the specialist can prescribe you the antibiotic with minimal side effects and time of taking, and maximum efficiency.

The Main Things to Know about Antibiotics During Pregnancy

So, to sum up, everything which has been mentioned above, here are 4 tips for safe antibiotics intake during pregnancy:

  • Don’t take antibiotics until the 5th month of pregnancy without acute necessity. And if you still have to take these drugs, do this only under medical supervision.
  • It’s necessary to sustain the prescribed course of treatment and dose. Don’t change anything yourself.
  • Tell the doctor about all your health problems, genetic peculiarities, and especially about allergies before the prescription of antibiotics.
  • Immediately stop taking antibiotics and consult a doctor if you notice any side-effects or discomfort.

Take care of yourself!