Is it Safe to Take Antibiotics While Pregnant?
Pregnancy is an exciting time in every woman's life, but what if she falls ill and needs antibiotics? Is it safe to take antibiotics while pregnant, and do they have any effect on the unborn baby?
Antibiotics can be used during pregnancy to fight against infections. In this blog, you will learn what antibiotics are safe during pregnancy.
During pregnancy, a woman's body makes a placenta. The placenta is an organ that does different jobs. Its main work is to allow nutrients to reach the baby and help remove waste from the baby. Generally, the placenta acts as a filter between the baby and the mother. However, there are some medicines like antibiotics which go through the placenta and reach your baby.
Doctors prescribe antibiotics to pregnant women to treat bacterial infections. It is essential to treat infections during pregnancy. When left untreated, bacterial infections can adversely affect both mother and baby.
However, some antibiotics are considered safe during pregnancy, while others aren't or can be secure only at certain stages of the pregnancy.
Which antibiotics are safe for pregnant women?
It is essential to know that almost 80% of medicines prescribed to pregnant women are antibiotics. As they are common, you should know which is safe during pregnancy.
Before taking any antibiotics during pregnancy, consult the doctor once and start treatment accordingly.
Penicillin
Penicillin is the most common antibiotic prescribed during pregnancy. Doctors often first choose it. Other common penicillin antibiotics include ampicillin and amoxicillin.
Although penicillin moves around the placenta, it does not harm an unborn baby. Doctors might prescribe amoxicillin and clavulanic acid to pregnant women as they are considered safe. These can be used for treating infections where amoxicillin does not work alone.
Azithromycin
Azithromycin belongs to the class of macrolide antibiotics and is considered safe during pregnancy. Two other common macrolides include clarithromycin and erythromycin. However, these antibiotics are not safe during pregnancy because they narrow the openings in the stomach of a baby.
Cephalosporins
Cephalosporins are another group of antibiotics that work similarly to penicillin. The most commonly prescribed antibiotic of this class is cephalexin. Most cephalosporins are considered safe for pregnant women.
One exception is ceftriaxone, a cephalosporin given in your vein. It is safe to use throughout pregnancy, but doctors avoid this medication when it's almost time for delivery. This is because ceftriaxone, when given in late pregnancy, leads to a condition called kernicterus.
Kernicterus is considered a severe form of infant jaundice, which can lead to brain damage and other health problems.
Clindamycin
Clindamycin is another common antibiotic prescribed during pregnancy. It belongs to the class of lincosamide antibiotics and is considered safe in the early stages of pregnancy.
No matter at what stage of pregnancy you are, vaginal clindamycin is not suggested. This version of clindamycin can cause infection in the baby and low birth weights.
Which antibiotics are not safe during pregnancy?
Tetracycline
Tetracycline, including doxycycline, minocycline, and oxytetracycline, is prescribed by doctors to treat respiratory infections and acne. If tetracycline is taken in the second or third trimester, it can discolour the teeth of your developing baby and affect the hardening of their teeth and bones. During any stage of pregnancy, you should not take Tetracycline antibiotics.
Streptomycin
Doctors usually recommend streptomycin to treat tuberculosis. This antibiotic should not be taken during pregnancy because it can cause hearing loss in the baby.
Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin is a commonly prescribed antibiotic for treating urinary tract infections. Doctors do not suggest this medicine during pregnancy as it can cause abnormal bone development in your unborn baby.
Summary
It might be scary to take medicines during pregnancy, but some antibiotics are considered safe for pregnant women and their growing babies. Treating infection is necessary as it can contribute to a greater risk for the pregnant woman. To protect your and your baby's health, doctors always prescribe safe antibiotics.
