Medical advice can only be obtained from a qualified, licensed, medical professional, so information from other sources should only be considered as a starting point. It is commonly recommended that you take only medication that has been approved by your doctor or health-care provider, especially when you are pregnant. Since antibiotics require a prescription, you would have to see your doctor to get them. He or she should carefully choose the appropriate type and dosage of antibiotics during pregnancy, ensuring that the medication is safe for both you and your baby.
Certain types of medications are considered safe antibiotics during pregnancy. Many drugs can be classified by the absence of risk, indicators of risk, known risks, or having not been studied enough to know if there are risks to pregnant women and unborn babies. Most doctors will avoid prescribing antibiotics during pregnancy if there is associated risk, unless the mother is seriously or chronically ill and there is no comparable alternative to treat the illness. In some cases, drugs that would otherwise be considered dangerous during pregnancy may be used, as the risk to the mother’s health without them is higher than the risk of using them.
Penicillin and other related drugs are often prescribed as safe antibiotics during pregnancy. It is advised that you inform your doctor of other medications or supplements you are using that could interact with prescribed drugs. Antibiotic use is also dependent upon the dosage, the length of the time the drug needs to be used, and the stage of the pregnancy.
Tetracycline is generally not given to pregnant women and there is some controversy regarding sulfonamides, which are typically used to treat urinary tract infection. Streptomycin may create a risk of hearing loss in babies. There is some concern that certain antibiotics during pregnancy can hamper the benefits of folic acid, which is said to be essential for healthy pregnancies and to help decrease the risk of certain types of birth defects. If you have been prescribed drugs that cause concerns about taking antibiotics during pregnancy, it may be a good idea to seek a second opinion.
While antibiotics during pregnancy can kill bad bacteria, they can also kill good bacteria. It is suggested that eating yogurt can help restore good bacteria and that it should be eaten daily while taking antibiotics. This is another issue to discuss with your health-care provider, not only to be sure it is a good idea for you but to find out which types of yogurt your doctor prefers that you eat.