September 2017 Moms

Metronidazole in 1st Trimester

Currently 10 weeks 5 days pregnant. I had 2 miscarriages last year, which has turned my into an anxious mess with this pregnancy. So far so good though, at my appointment on Thursday, baby was wiggling and had a heart beat of 174. However, I went in on Thursday because I'd been experiencing some slight itching and burning/pain that would come and go for the past few days, and also sometimes my discharge would have a slightly greenish tint, but not always. They ran some tests on Thursday, but the doctor went ahead and prescribed me metronidazole 500mg tablets twice a day for 7 days. When I went to the pharmacist to pick them up, I mentioned I was pregnant and she said these pills were contraindicated in the 1st trimester and not recommended. So I waited on taking them till I could call my doctor the next day to get my results. I talked to the nurse, and what she said didn't make a lot of sense. She said that all my lab work came back negative, but bacterial vaginosis was just the name for itching and burning, and although it came back negative to take it anyway. I'm concerned though because everything I've read says not to take it in the first trimester, but bacterial vaginosis left untreated can lead to second trimester miscarriages. I took the first pill this morning, but I've done a lot more research since then and am really scared about taking it in the first trimester. Has anyone taken metronidazole in the first trimester and it was okay? Should I keep taking it, or should I wait till Monday and call my doctor again before taking the next pill? I have a lot of anxiety due to the previous 2 miscarriages and this pregnancy seems to be going so well this time, I don't want to do anything that could harm my baby. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

Re: Metronidazole in 1st Trimester

  • In my last pregnancy I was prescribed a couple of medications that weren't "recommended for pregnancy." However, generally when my obgyn prescribed something it was because the risk of letting my condition continue was worse than the risks associated with the medication. I remember having contractions in my second trimester and tons of pain from a double kidney and bladder infection and the doctor decided to put me on a stronger dose of antibiotics than is generally recommended. 

    I would like to think that most doctors knowing you are pregnant wouldn't prescribe you something that would bring much risk to you or baby. However, it may be a good idea to wait to discuss it with your doctor since you are concerned. 


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  • Sorry for TMI!! 

    Ihad a bacterial infection (BV) and a yeast infection when I first went in. They gave me the pill form of metronidazole instead of the gel because it's the gel that's the most dangerous. For the yeast they gave me terazol cream which is safer than the pull diflucan. I've had chronic BV and yeast for years so I was super scared when I became pregnant. 

    If it was me and it came back negative, which happened at my 8 week appointment I would ask them to check again and make sure they are checking both bacteria and yeast. My ObGyn said that just the regular excess discharge from being pregnant can be just as irritating for a woman as having an infection so she wouldn't want me taking medication unless the test was positive. However it's correct that you are in more danger if you let the infection fester. 

    Also taking a daily probiotic with my prenatal has really helped me with both bacteria and the extra discharge. 



  • I think that's the thing I'm most confused on, is why if my tests came back negative, why they still want me to take it, could I still have it?
  • zetegazetega member
    edited February 2017
    @heatherwilson321 I went through a terrible couple of months of cycling yeast and BV infections a couple years ago. Once I finally felt back to "normal" I asked my OBGYN to test for BV to make sure things were actually cleared up and he wouldn't do it. He said the test results are not always reliable and it's possible to test positive when there isn't actually an issue (and, though he didn't say it, I suppose it would make sense that you can test negative when there IS actually an issue) and that if all my symptoms are cleared up we should leave it be.  Of course, I wasn't pregnant at the time so the miscarriage risk (of medicine or of an untreated infection) wasn't a problem. I hope you get to speak to your doctor-- is your doctor or another doctor in the practice on call over the weekend? 

    ETA I strongly agree that probiotics were very helpful in clearing up my issues and keeping them resolved! Also, I 1000% swear by boric acid suppositories for both yeast and BV, and my doctor actually just OK'd me to use those while pregnant (somewhat to my surprise-- I'm still going to try not to unless I am desperate). Not that you want to get all crazy experimental right now with treatments, but just more considerations!
  • Which probiotics do you guys use, I'm going to start those after the antibiotics are done.
  • I've used a few and am currently taking Jarrow femdophilus.  You can buy it on Amazon but it's better to get it a local health foods store since probiotics should be stored and shipped refrigerated.  You want one with Lactobacillus-- the most common/I guess best strains for vaginal health are lactobacillus reuteri and lactobacillus rhamnosus (not sure I spelled those right). 
  • What she said^^^
    go with a refrigerated one! 


    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

    **TW**
    Losses:
     #1: 8wks MMC 4/16
    #2: 13+4 T21 + Hydrops 3/17
  • I am 10w6d and currently on my second round of antibiotics for a UTI.... which has led me into a 4 week long and going yeast infection that is driving me absolutely crazy! I have also read about many of the treatments not being recommended in the 1st tri. I already feel guilty about taking 2 rounds of antibiotics as well as Zantac daily so I am trying hard to hold off but, it really feels pretty gross. I have applied coconut oil topically as it is a natural anti fungal and it helps somewhat. But, since I'm still 4 days from being done with antibiotics I don't expect it to do too much. I hate that everything is such a judgement call... some docs say something is fine some say it's not and who's left losing their minds is US! Especially us Pgals! 

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  • Thank you @OmSweetOm, I'm sorry you're going through all that, but it's nice to know someone else out there is in the same anxiety filled boat, I don't feel as alone now.
  • Ugh, it's time for me to take my medicine again, I have so much anxiety. 
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