Antibiotics during first trimester

bnt1023

Hello ladies. I've searched previous boards, so I hope I didn't miss this discussion. Just curious if anyone was prescribed an antibiotic during their first trimester (for bacterial vaginosis or yeast infection specifically). I was told by my OB at my first prenatal I have bv, but antibiotics aren't recommended in the first trimester. 

Clobert

@bnt1023 If you need antibiotics you should take them.  Infections can be a risk.  Always make sure your doctor knows you’re pregnant (your OB of course knows).  There are some antibiotics that are considered safe and some to avoid.  Your doctor will make sure it’s safe for pregnancy.  Amoxicillin is one that’s considered safe, but there are many others.  

vrj0522

I'm pretty sure your ob knows what they're doing so I would follow their direction and take the antibiotics. If you don't feel like you can trust your doctor's medical advice then it might be time to find another one.

bnt1023

My ob won't give me one. She said she doesn't give them out in the first trimester. (She knows I'm pregnant because it was my first prenatal appt). She told me I'd have to wait until 14 weeks. I'm going on a month with bv symptoms. It's so frustrating. 

vrj0522

Gotcha. I'm so sorry if you're having to wait then. It cannot be a comfortable thing. Have you tried natural remedies such as a daily garlic clove, yogurt, vitamin C, or apple cider vinegar?

bnt1023

I'm actually being referred to a high risk doctor which I see Wednesday, so I'll be asking his opinion on this. I've been doing alkaline water all day, a glass of lemon water a day, no scented soaps, and a very good probiotic. No change though. I do have some vitamin c tabs I could try. Thanks! @vrj0522

iamthewalrus2

Just a thought if you're looking to save a few bucks, the lemon water and your stomach acid at a pH of 2 will probs cancel out the alkaline water

antibiotics wouldn't do anything for a yeast infection, in fact can cause them (referring to your question). Maybe your bacteria count wasn't that high and your doctor feels comfortable waiting to see if your immune system can take care of it?

I would keep a close eye on symptoms and call the office right away if they get worse or you get a fever, and keep taking the probiotic. Hope it resolves soon!

bnt1023

@iamthewalrus86 I didn't even think about the lemon water being enough! Shoot that will save haha that alkaline water isn't cheap. Especially at 70 oz a day. Thanks!!

meiosis

My midwife just prescribed antibiotics for my UTI. There are many antibiotics that are safe to take during pregnancy, and it's really important to treat infections because they can cause complications. 

kamahina9

My situation isn't for infection but for a cold. I have a horrible cough that won't go away and if it's not better by tomorrow then I was told to go to the doctors office to get antibiotics. The midwife said it's more important for me to be able to sleep and to prevent fever. If my temperature gets above 100 I need to go in and get my temp down right away. I'm hovering around 99.5 but I'm hoping it doesn't get to that point. 

bnt1023

@meiosis trust me - I would take it if she would give it to me. I see another doctor tomorrow. I'm going to ask him about getting one. 
@kamahina9 I'm sorry you're not feeling well. I know that has got to be miserable. Our poor immune systems!

meiosis

@bnt1023 Good luck with the new doc! I really hope you get some relief soon!  

josie12367

Just curious, but did they do a slide  smear test to double check if it was a yeast issue or BV? I would ask them to do one as the treatments are completely different. It's just a quick swab that they would apply to a glass slide and then look at under a microscope. Good luck and I hope they get it figured out quickly for you!

lurvleybunchococonuts

@kamahina9 colds are causes by viruses. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. So taking an antibiotic for a cold is useless. Unless you midwife is thinking you have something other than a cold telling you to go get antibiotics is nonsenseical. I'm sorry you aren't feeling well. I was told to use robetussin dm, vicks vapocrub, and tylenol. Hope you feel better soon!

ETA: if you aren't already taking tylenol, that would be the FIRST thing I'd do especially if you're concerned about a fever.  

+1 @josie12367 suggestion of making sure they test to ensure it's BV and not a YI.  Two completely different causes with two different treatments but present similarly.

kamahina9

@lurvleybunchococonuts - thank you for the heads up! I will double check with the Dr I am supposed to see today. I definitely don't want to take antibiotics for nothing! I have been using tylonol for the fever and robotussin DM for the cough. I've also been using essentially oils and my humidifier to try and help me sleep at night

lurvleybunchococonuts

@kamahina9 good call on the essential oil/humidifier.  I want to say it was @offtoneverland that suggested to me putting a few drops of eucalyptus oil at the end of your bathtub next time you take a shower and the steam helps clear everything out.  Remember, even if your fever breaks or your cough gets better, make sure to stay up on your dose of Robitussin and Tylenol.  I am NOTORIOUS for taking it and then feeling better so 4-6 hours later when I'd be due to take the next dose I think ehhh I'm feeling good, I can skip it until I realize I feel miserable again and have to start over at square one essentially.  Hope you feel better soon!

bqtmom25

@bnt1023 I'm not sure if you recieved the antibiotics by now but apple cider vinegar with the mother diluted in a period bottle rinses should help a ton for either BV or YI.  

lurvleybunchococonuts

@bqtmom25 Oh good lord... the idea of spraying vinegar (even diluted) anywhere near my lady bits has me very tightly crossing my legs in terror.  I assume the idea is to "reset" the body's natural pH?  Couldn't that potentially just make it worse?  *cringe* 

bnt1023

@josie12367 @lurvleybunchococonuts hi ladies! Yes, they did what felt like full pap. But she did put it on a slide and determined it was bv. Good news! I received an antibiotic that I start Friday from my maternal fetal doctor today. 

bqtmom25

I know it's a bit scary, very very diluted I mean, like the small capful and the rest water in a *peri bottle.  It works to kill pathogens too (I think) and cools the itch/discomfort right away.  I use it for little in diapers but yes. VERY diluted. 

If it's like open and raw from irritation or itching I would actually go the opposite route and do baking soda baths first but I've never had it that bad on myself   Seriously diluted it is super effective.

Works on sunburns too.  Who knew?