Antibiotics during pregnancy? « Back to Group Discussions

[JynxGirl]

I need some reassurance here, because frankly, I'm freaking out. 

Last week I was told my lung crud was just a bad cold. So I treated it as such. Tea, soups, ginger ale, rest, more tea... 

6 days later, I have pneumonia. Badly. My doctor is on vacation now, so I saw a walk in doctor. They gave me antibiotics, but told me that my risk of miscarriage is now a lot higher. (Thanks, random doctor, for making this multiple miscarriage mom feel better!!!)

He gave me amoxcil, and the pharmacists joked that the last time I had it was probably when I was a baby and it was in liquid form.

I now have until Thursday to "sound better" or I will be admitted to hospital for IV antibiotics and fetal monitoring. 

I guess I just need to know that this isn't totally off the wall, and antibiotics during pregnancy aren't going to kill my baby....

[Just1More]

Well, I did some quick reading.  There's enough on google to scare a person, so don't do it. 

Here are the highlights:

Amoxil is considered safe in pregnancy.  It is even the drug of choice for longterm anthrax therapy.  Weird fact, I know, but there you have it.  There have been no reported birth defects.

Pneumonia can be serious during pregnancy because of compromised lung capacity (which isn't an issue for you yet), and because of hormonal changes.  It *can* cause preterm birth, or issues in the mother.

But...it sounds like all that scary stuff is only a little greater than the whole lunch meat thing.  Yes, lunch meat *can* give you listeria.  And listeria can be pretty scary.  But, a lot of pregnant women eat lunch meat and they and their babies are fine.  From my quick reading it appears that while this can be a problem, and the risks are slightly higher (especially later in the pregnancy), the vast majority of women take the meds and they and their babies continue on normally.

Stress will just make you sicker.  Take the meds (did they culture it, by the way...sure it's bacterial and not viral?), and take it easy.  You'll be fine. :)

[JynxGirl]

They cultured it 6 days ago. on the off chance it was bronchitis. And no one called me back because my doctor is now on vacation. 

So I'm glad I recognized the crackly breathing sound my daughter gets when she get this every year as pneumonia or I might not have been told until the end of November.

Edit: Also, thank you! Google is my frenemy sometimes. :P

[shastalily]

What was that Dr. thinking saying that?  Geez.  What a thing to tell a pregnant woman.  I think the risks are pretty low and definitely lower than the risk of pneumonia to you and the baby.  Sorry you are so sick!  I hope you feel better soon.

[JynxGirl]

This clinic seems to be paranoid about being sued. They are the same doctors who tried to tell me that if I want a healthy baby, I need to get rid of my cats. Not that I can't change the litter, but that I can't pet them, have them or see them. Okay, the last one was an exaggeration, but it seemed really over the top for me.

[Kamiro]

Can I just say I always heard of how outstanding Canada's medical system is, but you are making me second guess my hearing? Hope that made you smile, You poor chickadee. :(

I know this is purely anecdotal, but I took amox. during one of my pregnancies and well, I had a babe at the end. I would think pnuem. would be a lot worse. You take care of yourself and big hugs.

[BubbleMa]

I took an antibiotic for a UTI when I was newly pregnant with DD.  I don't remember which one it was, but everything turned out just fine.

[layne]

I am on amoxicillin RIGHT NOW.  It is one of the safest antibiotics during pregnancy.  Chow away on probiotics to prevent yeast infections and get some rest, which means STOP WORRYING.  Stay up at night angsting can slow down healing. 

[cristeen]

The antibiotic is safe enough, but be sure to stock up on the probiotics.  I had a raging yeast infection for months last pregnancy, and I wasn't even on antibiotics (just the hormone shift).  Start them now and continue them until term if you can stand it.  Both you and babe will need the recolonization, particularly if your HCP is a GBS tester. 

[JynxGirl]

I've been taking a probiotic supplement for about two years. :) I'm prone to yeast and urinary tract infections, and it helps reduce the number. (Thanks diabetes for that lovely gift...) 

Thank you all for helping me calm down about it. I've been flipping out all day about what these antibiotics will do to the baby. I'm a little calmer now, which makes breathing easier...

I just need to keep reminding myself that breathing beats out not taking any medication while pregnant...