Antibiotics are a type of medicine used to fight bacterial infections. In pregnant women, the use of this drug should not be taken without a doctor's advice because some antibiotic drugs can have a negative impact on the growth and development of the fetus. So, what kind of antibiotics are safe for pregnant women?
Some of the natural changes that occur during pregnancy make the body more susceptible to bacterial infections. Bacterial infections can be harmful to both mother and fetus and need to be treated. To fight infections caused by these bacteria, pregnant women will need antibiotics.
Can Pregnant Women Take Antibiotics?
During pregnancy, food, drinks, medicines, including antibiotics that pregnant women take can affect the development of the fetus, both good and bad influences. Then, can pregnant women take antibiotics? The answer is yes, how come.
Actually, not all types of antibiotics are harmful to pregnant women. Doctors are allowed to give pregnant women antibiotics that are safe for the mother and fetus if their use is necessary.
The doctor's consideration for giving antibiotics to pregnant women is of course because the disease is caused by bacteria and there are no other treatment options. In addition, the doctor will also consider the impact that occurs on the mother and fetus if antibiotics are given or not given.
In addition to considering the type, the doctor also considers the dose and duration of drug consumption, as well as gestational age.
Usually, pregnant women who are entering the age of 6–24 weeks of pregnancy tend to be at risk for urinary tract infections (UTIs). This happens because the bladder begins to be pressured by the uterus which continues to enlarge as gestational age increases. This disease is caused by bacteria Sstreptococcus group B.
This condition requires treatment with antibiotics. If not treated promptly, UTIs can lead to premature labor and the birth of babies with low birth weight.
In addition to UTIs, antibiotics are also generally needed to treat pregnant women who are affected kidney infection, appendicitis, inflammation of the gallbladder, or chorioamnionitis, which is an infection of the amniotic fluid and placenta during pregnancy.
Safe Antibiotics Consumed When Pregnant
Some types of antibiotics that are classified as safe for pregnant women are amoxicillin, ampicillin, penicillin, clindamycin, erythromycin, and nitrofurantoin. This type of antibiotic drug is safe for pregnant women if it is recommended by a doctor and taken as recommended.
Types of antibiotics that pregnant women should avoid, such as tetracycline antibiotics. This type of drug has the risk of disrupting the condition of the liver of pregnant women and inhibiting the growth of the bones and teeth of the fetus.
In addition, paying attention to the category of drugs is also important for pregnant women. In general, drugs are grouped into categories A, B, C, D, and X. Category A drugs are considered the safest, while drugs belonging to category X are considered to be dangerous for the fetus and should not be consumed by pregnant women.
So before receiving the drug, do not hesitate to ask your doctor whether the category of drug is safe or risky for pregnancy.
Pregnant women should not take antibiotics carelessly. However, this does not mean pregnant women should completely avoid this drug. Avoiding taking antibiotics when they are actually needed can actually have a worse effect on pregnant women or the fetus.
Here are some things about antibiotics for pregnant women that need attention:
- As much as possible, avoid taking antibiotics in the first trimester of pregnancy, which is the period of organ formation in the fetus.
- Use antibiotics that already have a history of safe use effects
- Take the drug with the lowest effective dose.
- Do not take antibiotics together with over-the-counter drugs or other types without a doctor's recommendation because there is a risk of reducing the effectiveness or even increasing the effect of the drug.
So, pregnant women no longer need to worry about taking antibiotics, right? There is, how come, antibiotics for pregnant women that are safe for consumption. But remember, the consumption of antibiotics must still be based on the doctor's advice, yes.