Pregnancy is a beautiful journey for every woman. It is an amazing feeling to nurture a tiny life inside you and watch it grow.

However, the journey of pregnancy can be challenging, with various physical and emotional changes that a woman goes through during this period. Along with these changes, a woman’s immune system also undergoes changes, making her more prone to infections.

Antibiotics have been a boon to medical science, helping in the treatment of bacterial infections. However, certain antibiotics can pose a risk to the fetus if taken during pregnancy.

It is crucial to know which antibiotics are safe to use during pregnancy and which ones to avoid.

Why are some antibiotics harmful during pregnancy?

Antibiotics are classified as either safe or risky during pregnancy based on various factors like the class of antibiotics, dosage, and the stage of pregnancy in which it is taken.

Some antibiotics can cause harm to the fetus’s health by crossing the placenta and affecting its development. The risk depends on the type of antibiotic and the stage of fetal development when the antibiotic is taken.

Certain antibiotics may have teratogenic effects, which means that they can cause birth defects, while others may cause fetal tissue damage and preterm labor. Some antibiotics can also lead to a foetal distress disorder.

It is, therefore, crucial to avoid taking any antibiotics during pregnancy without consulting a healthcare provider.

Antibiotics to avoid during pregnancy

While certain antibiotics are safe during pregnancy, others are to be avoided. Here are some of the commonly used antibiotics to avoid during pregnancy:.

Tetracyclines

Tetracyclines are broad-spectrum antibiotics that are used to treat bacterial infections. They can cause fetal bone growth retardation and permanent yellow discoloration of teeth in the fetus if taken during pregnancy.

Tetracyclines should, therefore, be avoided during pregnancy, particularly in the second and third trimesters.

Fluoroquinolones

Fluoroquinolones are another class of antibiotics that should be avoided during pregnancy. Although there is limited data on the effects of fluoroquinolones on the fetus, animal studies have shown that it can cause fetal harm.

Fluoroquinolones can also affect the fetal bone’s development, leading to bone deformities.

Sulfonamides

Sulfonamides are commonly used antibiotics that are used to treat urinary tract infections and pneumonia.

It is typically safe to use sulfonamides during the first trimester; however, it should be avoided during the third trimester as it can cause jaundice, anemia, and brain damage in the fetus.

Macrolides

Macrolides are a class of antibiotics that are widely used to treat respiratory and skin infections.

Although macrolides have a relatively low risk of causing harm to the fetus, erythromycin, a popular macrolide, can cause pyloric stenosis in the fetus in rare cases. Pyloric stenosis is a condition where the muscle at the base of the stomach thickens, preventing food from entering the small intestine.

Aminoglycosides

Aminoglycosides are another class of antibiotics that can cause fetal harm if taken during pregnancy. Aminoglycosides can cause hearing loss, nerve damage, and kidney damage in the fetus when taken in the later stages of pregnancy.

Nitrofurantoin

Nitrofurantoin is a commonly used antibiotic that is used to treat urinary tract infections.

Nitrofurantoin should not be taken during pregnancy as it can cause haemolytic anaemia in the fetus, a condition where the red blood cells break down faster than they are produced.

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ)

TMP-SMZ is a combination antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and bronchitis. It should be avoided during pregnancy as it can cause birth defects in the fetus.

TMP-SMZ can also increase the risk of jaundice in the newborn.

Antibiotics that are safe to use during pregnancy

Although certain antibiotics are risky during pregnancy, there are still many options for safe antibiotics that can help treat bacterial infections.

Here are some antibiotics that can be safely taken during pregnancy under a healthcare provider’s supervision:.

Penicillins

Penicillins are the most commonly used antibiotics used during pregnancy. They are known to be safe and do not cross the placenta, making them an ideal choice to treat bacterial infections during pregnancy.

However, if a woman is allergic to penicillin, alternatives should be considered.

Cephalosporins

Cephalosporins are a class of antibiotics used to treat respiratory and skin infections, and urinary tract infections. It is a safe alternative to penicillin and does not cause any harm to the fetus.

Erythromycin

Erythromycin is another safe antibiotic that can be used during pregnancy. It is widely used to treat respiratory and skin infections and can also be prescribed to treat chlamydial infections during pregnancy.

Clindamycin

Clindamycin is a commonly used antibiotic that is safe to use during pregnancy. It can be used to treat bacterial infections like pneumonia, skin, and soft tissue infections.

However, it should be avoided if a woman has a history of inflammatory bowel disease.

The importance of consulting a healthcare provider

It is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before taking any antibiotics during pregnancy.

The healthcare provider will evaluate the potential risks and benefits of taking antibiotics and determine which antibiotic is safe to use and at what stage of pregnancy. Women should not self-medicate or buy antibiotics over-the-counter as it may lead to complications that could harm the fetus or the mother.

Conclusion

Antibiotics are a vital part of medical treatment for bacterial infections. However, certain antibiotics are risky during pregnancy and can cause harm to the fetal development.

Women should be aware of which antibiotics are safe to use during pregnancy and avoid taking any antibiotics without consulting a healthcare provider. With the right care and guidance, women can enjoy a healthy and safe pregnancy.