Antibiotics in Pregnancy

introduction

An antibiotic is a drug that can either kill bacteria or change them in such a way that they do not die, but at least they can no longer multiply.
So it gives the body time to destroy the bacteria itself.

Most antibiotics are obtained from microorganisms and some of them are processed synthetically. Different classes of antibiotics act at different points in the metabolism of the bacteria.

Some inhibit DNA synthesis, which means that bacteria can no longer read and pass on their genetic information. Others inhibit cell wall synthesis or protein synthesis. Without a cell wall or proteins, the bacteria cannot survive and perish.

Read more about the topic here: Antibiotics

Indications

Antibiotics can be prescribed by a doctor for bacterial infections, infections and illnesses.
This means that they do not help with colds caused by viruses, for example, and should not be taken.

Read more on the topic: Respiratory infection in pregnancy

In addition, not all antibiotics are effective against all types of bacteria. There are over a hundred different bacteria that have very different structures and react differently to antibiotics.
For example, some bacteria are naturally resistant to penicillin because they have an enzyme that simply breaks this drug down.
Here you can find out more about the topic: Antibiotic resistance

It is therefore important to first find out which exact bacterium is causing the disease that is being treated before an antibiotic can be prescribed. Otherwise, the side effects antibiotics can have would be far more harmful than their benefits.

Which antibiotics are allowed during pregnancy?

Will be a pregnant woman sick from bacteria, must be carefully considered, whether or not antibiotics should be taken.

Because much of what the mother ingests can be done through her placenta also get into the child's body. Often, for example in the context of food components, this is of course wanted and also very good.
In the case of medication, however, this can be very harmful to the child Unborn babies are very vulnerable against any kind of poison and a amount different chemical substances are contained in medicines could be.

Depending on the substance and depending on at what time Taking an antibiotic during pregnancy may different consequences on the baby to have.
These range from mild symptoms, like Yellow discoloration of the teeth, up to massive disorders in the development of certain organs.

Among the antibiotics that prove to be very compatible for the mother and child turned out to count Penicillins how Amoxicillin, Penicillin V, Propicillin, Flucloxacillin and Ampicillin.
Also can Cephalosporins and the Macrolide erythromycin be prescribed. There are no studies showing that these antibiotics are harmful. They can be used by pregnant women without hesitation, but of course only if it is really necessary.

There are, however also antibiotics, the only with absolutely strict indications should be taken. This means that they should only be taken if the mother is really seriously ill or is critically ill and the antibiotics mentioned above would not help. Becomes this group Fosfomycin counted.

Which antibiotics are contraindicated in pregnancy?

If Medication the Organ development and thus the endanger the entire development of the embryo, they are called teratogenic substances designated.
The antibiotic may be teratogenic Co-trimoxazole.

For sure contraindicated are Fluoroquinolones, Tetracyclines such as Doxycycline, Aminoglycosides, Vancomycin, Carbapenems and Metronidazole.
These antibiotics should during pregnancyt and also Under no circumstances during breastfeeding be taken because they cause massive disruptions in the development of an embryo or a newborn.
Mostly they are Bones, cartilage and teeth affected, but can also, depending on the antibiotic Hearing damage occur.

What are the consequences of taking antibiotics for my child?

Become Antibiotics prescribed during pregnancy, become selected suchwhich, according to the current state of knowledge, is perfect harmless to the child are.
Because only such harmless antibiotics may be given to mothers. That means that the Ingestion no consequences for the child has.

If but an antibiotic is prescribed that theoretically harmful to the child can be, can various consequences occur for the child.
The spectrum of consequences is very wide and ranges from Discoloration of the teeth up to Termination of pregnancy. Antibiotics that should not be taken during pregnancy are under the question "Which antibiotics are contraindicated during pregnancy" listed.

Antibiotics for cystitis during pregnancy

If from a Cystitis is spoken is mostly a Urinary tract infection meant.
This means that it is not the urinary bladder itself but the urinary tract that is inflamed.
Urinary tract infections, like actual bladder infections, are caused by bacteria and can therefore be treated with the help of antibiotics.

However, they should only be used in extreme cases, as the side effects such as digestive problems and the development of resistance are not uncommon.
The emergence of resistance means that the bacteria learn to defend themselves against the antibiotic and can no longer be killed as a result.

In case of pregnancy however should early over a Therapy with antibiotics should be considered, as a urinary tract infection is extremely uncomfortable and painful, especially for pregnant women. Since the urinary tract is short in women, there is also the risk that the bacteria will migrate up into the urinary bladder. This is dangerous because from there they can get into the kidneys and are very difficult to kill.

Therefore a Pregnant women, the suspects a urinary tract infection, be sure to consult a doctor. This will then select the right antibiotic depending on the bacterium. This should then be taken regularly and as prescribed in order to keep the side effects as low as possible.

Antibiotics for pneumonia during pregnancy

Pneumonia can be caused by viruses and bacteria. Those through bacteria can be triggered effectively treated with antibiotics.

This should at a Illness as serious as pneumonia can also be done, especially during pregnancy.
Again, it depends on getting through what bacterium the pneumonia was triggered exactly. Depending on this, one then gives one of the antibiotics that work against it and pose no danger to pregnancy.

Antibiotics for angina during pregnancy

A angina or angina tonsillaris is one Inflammation of the tonsils. It is often mistaken for a normal cold, as the symptoms of the two diseases are very similar.

This is how one heals Angina often even without major therapeutic measures. This is called spontaneous healing. However, if the angina is more persistent, it should be clarified by a doctor. Viruses or bacteria can also be the cause. The latter respond to antibiotics.

During a pregnancyt will of course be back only those prescribed which are harmless to the pregnant woman and the child are.

If tonsillar angina occurs frequently, consideration can be given to having the tonsils surgically removed. If possible, this should only be done after pregnancy, since operations, even comparatively simple ones, always pose a risk.

Find out more about the topic here: Antibiotics for tonsillitis

Antibiotics for a cold during pregnancy

Normal colds are also called flu-like infections in technical jargon. Such flu-like infections are similar to normal flu, but are much more harmless and also show weaker symptoms. A full-blown flu as well as a flu-like infection are in the virus in most cases caused.

It means that Antibiotics don't help here would and therefore should also not be taken!
Antivirals can be prescribed by your doctor, but only help in the first 48 hours after symptoms appear. By the time you go to the doctor, however, these two days have usually already passed and you can only treat the cold symptomatically.

So you try merely relieving the symptoms. This is in the case of a Pregnancy is definitely the best strategy. Is it a special one? protracted and severe cold, of course, should always be one Doctor turned on to avoid spreading to the lungs, for example.

Read more about the topic here: Common cold during pregnancy

How bad is it if I have taken an antibiotic during an unconscious pregnancy?

How terrible it is when you have taken antibiotics during an unconscious pregnancy, depends a lot on it, at what point in pregnancy it was and of course which antibiotic was taken.

Most of the time it has no consequences for the child, since most of the antibiotics that are harmless for the unborn child are standard drugs anyway and are therefore often prescribed to non-pregnant women.
It is best to take a look at the list of well-tolerated antibiotics. If you still unsure is, you can ask the attending gynecologist and possibly the Development of the baby watch well.