If you develop a bacterial infection (such as a urinary tract infection) during pregnancy, antibiotics are generally safe to use. However, the specific medication needs careful selection, as some antibiotics are safe during pregnancy while others should be avoided.
The safety of antibiotics during pregnancy depends on several factors, including the type of antibiotic, dosage, the stage of pregnancy, and the duration of use. The following antibiotics are generally considered safe:
Certain other antibiotics should be avoided during pregnancy, especially tetracycline antibiotics (such as doxycycline, tetracycline, and minocycline). These can damage the mother's liver, cause discoloration of the baby's teeth, and lead to other birth defects. Additionally, recent findings suggest that nitrofurantoin (often used to treat urinary tract infections) and sulfonamides may also pose a risk of birth defects. While the evidence is not yet strong, it is best to avoid these medications as a precaution.