UTI - Not A risk To Baby - Right?

[gummibears]

Apparently I have a UTI no idea how long I had it but explains a lot to be honest. Like why I drank water KNEW I had to go in office for sample yet only got out a trickle. I wound up taking it home to get sample - how embarrassing. The leaking feeling, cloudy urine, maybe even tummy/pelvic/back cramps, as well as the pain last time we had sex, too. The pelvic have calmed a bit but I still feel it wanting to flare up.

Well, today they called said I have a UTI and I'm getting an antibiotic (starts with an S) they are checking if mixing that with the penicillian I'm already on will be a problem (worries me all these meds)

I'm just a bit concerned that this UTI is bad news. While I DONT know the full story, a friend had one that never went away and her babies were born at 31+ weeks and both were lost. A part of me thinks the UTI caused this. I don't know the story but before I got one of my own this was what I thought caused it. Now I'm mildly worried.

So, have you had one and all been well? I'm on a 10 day treatment (when I read 3-7 is normal) for 3x a day. That worries me, too, like it's more severe or something.

[kittywitty]

UTIs are common in pregnancy. The only way it would be dangerous is if left untreated it can lead to premature labor. But you caught it and are getting treatment so you're fine.

[TheDivineMrsM]

I was just diagnosed with a UTI. They put me on a 7-day antibiotic (Marcobid, I believe is the name). My MW said it was safe and should affect the baby. Not sure what happened in your friend's case, but that's not a typical reaction to UTI and antibiotics. I'm so sorry for her loss.

[lillymonster]

it depends on your antibiotic, so I wouldn't worry about treatment time.

I had a UTI last pregnancy, took macrobid and all is well. DD is 3 1/2 now.

[roslyn]

I've always heard that UTIs can cause pre-term labor. I know that both times that I've gone to the hospital with pre-term labor (14 weeks, loss that one and 17 weeks, that one lived), they've catherized me to check for a UTI. I didn't have one either time. I would definitely be concerned, though if you're not having contractions, you're probably okay. I'm guessing the antibiotic they gave you is ciproflaxin, usually called cipro.

[WifeofAnt]

I had a kidney infection at 23 weeks and am on antibiotics until 6 weeks PP to keep it from coming back. I guess pregnant women are more suspeptible to UTIs and other infections because the bladder sphyncter isn't as 'tight' as it normally is.

[tracymom1]

UTIs are only risky if left untreated.

[gummibears]

I don't think it's ciproflaxin. I can't tell until I get it, but it sounded more like an S like Sulfisoxazole both of which terrify me. Both are Class C and they look nasty from thee warnings online.

Sulfisoxazole says:
Before using sulfisoxazole, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

* asthma;
* a history of any type of allergy; or

I have an inhaler for allergy induced asthma and I have loads of allergies - not to meds, but still it says ANY type.

"There are no controlled data in human pregnancies. Sulfisoxazole should only be given during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk. Sulfisoxazole use near term is considered contraindicated. While there are no definitive data to demonstrate an association between sulfonamides and congenital defects, four significant sources of information are worthy of mention. First, a retrospective study of 1,369 patients revealed that significantly more mothers of 458 offspring with congenital malformations had taken sulfonamides than did mothers of normal offspring. Second, a retrospective study of 599 offspring with oral clefts revealed a significantly greater exposure of sulfonamides during the first and second trimesters compared with matched controls. Significance was found only when other defects were present. Third, the Michigan Medicaid surveillance study showed a possible association between the combination drug, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), and congenital defects (written communication"

I'm beyond terrified. Can't there be something SAFER? Why can't I keep with my Dicloxacillin I'm already on for the cyst? That's cat B and safer.

[tracymom1]

Did you have a urine culture done? (it takes a few days in the lab before you know the results as opposed to a urine dip in the doctor's office) The culture will indicate which antibiotics will be effective on the strain of bacteria you have, which may be why they prescribed what they did.

All antibiotics carry warnings about allergy sensitivities (as do most medicines) and there are no controlled studies of meds in pregnant women - medical science weighs the risks versus benefits with everything, most of the data comes from patient charts and not an actual study. FWIW, I avoid medicines during pregnancy (and always, really) and I am an RN. I much prefer to treat ailments naturally, but a UTI in pregnancy needs antibiotics and there are a few that are safe to take. When I worked in Ob/Gyn, we almost universally prescribed macrobid unless you have an allergy to sulfa meds. If you find out what strain of bacteria you have you can research which antibiotics will work and ask your care provider about it's safety.

[gummibears]

Originally Posted by tracymom1

Did you have a urine culture done? (it takes a few days in the lab before you know the results as opposed to a urine dip in the doctor's office) The culture will indicate which antibiotics will be effective on the strain of bacteria you have, which may be why they prescribed what they did.

All antibiotics carry warnings about allergy sensitivities (as do most medicines) and there are no controlled studies of meds in pregnant women - medical science weighs the risks versus benefits with everything, most of the data comes from patient charts and not an actual study. FWIW, I avoid medicines during pregnancy (and always, really) and I am an RN. I much prefer to treat ailments naturally, but a UTI in pregnancy needs antibiotics and there are a few that are safe to take. When I worked in Ob/Gyn, we almost universally prescribed macrobid unless you have an allergy to sulfa meds. If you find out what strain of bacteria you have you can research which antibiotics will work and ask your care provider about it's safety.

I think it was a urine culture if I recall right. I brought the sample in last Friday and she called today saying they found I have a UTI from it. I can't even monitor fetal movement - I don't have any indicator if my baby's safe or not and that doesn't help combined with these scary medicine warnings and what happened to my friend. I know the infection is dangerous, too, so what can I do if this is what they want to give me? I told DH I NEED to go get the meds and ask loads of questions because I'm really scared.

I will sit through intense pain just to avoid taking TYLENOL when pregnant because I prefer no medicines to be safe (and have done that many of these nearly 13 weeks), yet I'm going to put this in my body instead? It's not making me feel right.

Why didn't they give me macrobid, then? I have only animal and nature allergies.

[buckeye_mama]

I had several UTI's during my last pregnancy, and ended up on a constant low dose of macrobid for the remainder...I wasn't thrilled, but I read what could happen if left untreated...and I had no ill side effects whatsoever =)

[gummibears]

DH missed my message and got meds anyway. It's a cephalexin which they still have not said if I can take with the other med I'm on. It says discuss risks to baby with provider, which we didn't do, but it's at least category B which is better. Gonna have to call on the mixture of meds, so I can get this info then, too.

I know untreated uti's can be lethal to the baby, so I know gotta do something. Just worried until I get those kicks of reassurance and can use then to know if all's well.

[EllisH]

Originally Posted by gummibears

DH missed my message and got meds anyway. It's a cephalexin which they still have not said if I can take with the other med I'm on. It says discuss risks to baby with provider, which we didn't do, but it's at least category B which is better. Gonna have to call on the mixture of meds, so I can get this info then, too.

I know untreated uti's can be lethal to the baby, so I know gotta do something. Just worried until I get those kicks of reassurance and can use then to know if all's well.

Seems a safe drug you're taking, this is what I found on it:

"FDA pregnancy category B. Cephalexin is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Cephalexin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby."

I had a suspected UTI and was prescribed antibiotics also. Was very apprehensive about them, but I was told by everyone (incl. doctor) that antibiotics are the most researched drugs and side effects will be known (doctor compared them to Tylenol, also proven to be safe). So don't worry about that!

As for the UTI, untreated it can cause premature labour and/or lead to a kidney infection, which is much more serious (but you're being treated, so no need to worry about either) . It should not by itself have any effect on the fetus, as far as I know. You mentioned that your friend lost her babies (pl.) - maybe there were complications? From what I've read, it seems unlikely that it was (just) because of the UTI (UTIs in pregnancy are fairly common and most people are fine as soon as they get treatment).

Strongly recommend you relax and don't compare yourself to your friend. Tough as it is, it's the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby right now.

One last comment: do make sure to drink enough and keep drinking enough. It's key to preventing recurrence. Also hygiene when using the loo (wiping front to back) is very important, as bacteria from the gut are usually what causes the UTI. I am currently dealing with what seems a UTI recurrence (will get results from culture on Fri), I slacked on the above after my antibiotics treatment, thinking all was well again :-(

Take care!

[gummibears]

EllisH, thank you for the info. I just called the pharmacist at the clinic and he said switch the one for the new one it'll grab both infections, so that's good.

I'm trying not to compare to her, I just keep seeing those photos haunting me. I know hers never went away and she had it months, but not much else about what happened since I'm not about to flat out ask.

I had a scare earlier, but I feel much better after calling the pharmacist who said it's safe and to take only one of them (less to worry about)

As for water, I suspect that might be why I got it. I have a hard time pushing the fluids. I'm trying and failing. Better try harder to keep this at bay!

Hope both of us are uti free soon. Thanks again feeling much better.

[EllisH]

Glad to hear you're feeling better and getting the right treatment! All the best to both of you!

(And now I'll refill my glass of water :-) )

[kalamos23]

i have a hard time drinking water, but now that i have been dosing it with lemon, it's been much more palatable and i've been drinking quite a bit more. maybe that would help? or drinking those seltzer drinks that are just flavored seltzer?

[StellaNuova]

Hi I have had chronic UTI's at different points of my life and in all of my pregnancies. I think I took the "m" medicine when preggers and cipro when not. No damage done and got the infection under control. I drink cranberry juice every day to help prevent them. Taking the cranberry tablets just doesn't have the same effect for me. Feel better Mama & try not to worry too much!

[gummibears]

kalamos23, I might have to try that. I do have bottled water (I can't touch tap unless in juice or koolaid) but it's still not enough to make me drink enough of it. I'll get some lemons tomorrow and try.

StellaNuova, I always liked cranberry juice. I'm gonna use this as an excuse to drink some. :P I'm glad to hear all went well with yours too. Even when not pregnant I try not to take meds unless needed, so all these ones they have me on with the little one are concerning, but needed.

I worried about an hour or two, but I'm good now. I'm actually relieved to know why I've been cramping at the moment I'm blaming this as the culprit.

[WifeofAnt]

Cephalexin is the one I've been on for 12 weeks now. I read up on it before I started taking it and I'm more worried about yeast infections than the antibiotic causing noticeable (or any) harm. Certainly when compared to the risks a UTI can have I'd rather take the antibiotic.

Just be warned... it tastes REALLY bad.

[gummibears]

Yeah, it does taste bad, but not any worse that what I was on for my cyst. I'd gag every time after that one.

I wonder if there's any way to know how long I've had this and what my risk of it hitting kidneys is. I had a sample at 5-6 weeks and again last week. Since they won't see you here til 10 weeks, I've potentially had a long time for this to sit here and fester.

I've been feeling nausea again since last night - that went away some time ago and some horrid lower back pains (below waistline mostly). I'm sure it's nothing, but geez.... how do I know it's just pregnancy pains or signs it's already attacked kidney? I've had these signs since the first test at 6 weeks, but they said the bacteria they found there didn't turn into an infection in the labs. So, I really just don't know how long it's been. I'm trying to take it day by day and hope this gets better in a couple days, but I seriously did NOT miss that nausea! LOL

I don't want to call unnecessarily, and I don't want to NOT call and take risks (which is probably what lead me to where I am now) I've been fighting pressure off and on - sometimes constantly - in my pelvic area ever since my BFP they don't seem to think anything of it. I just don't GET it.