Dr Monica Agarwal talks about certain antibiotics that doubles the risk of miscarriage
One in four pregnancies in India ends up in miscarriage. Indian women have been plagued with miscarriages amounting to be 32 per cent of the estimated pregnancies. The global rate for miscarriages is 10 per cent. Although the reasons for such unfortunate incidents are multifactorial which includes genetic or embryonic errors, certain medications in the form of antibiotics can be extremely harmful for expectant mothers and their babies. Increased risk of miscarriage has also been associated with age as older women conceiving a child have increased risk for miscarriage.
Antibiotics are necessary during pregnancy as the immunity of the woman is compromised and is more prone to infections. There are various infections that can be possible during pregnancy. We often cannot avoid giving medications to relieve pain that is often experienced when you are expecting. It has been observed that common medications such as penicillin or paracetamol do not increase the risk of miscarriage as they are mild drugs. What really can double the risk of miscarriage are the antibiotics given to treat respiratory infections or even acne. Doctors should be careful before prescribing a drug because it could have grave repercussions.
RISKS OF ADMINISTERING ANTIBIOTICS
According to the research published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India, recurrent spontaneous miscarriage was at 7.46 per cent in Indian women. It is a troublesome statistics. There has been reduction in the rate of abortions in India but the reasons of spontaneous miscarriage in Indian women has been given to tuberculosis and defects in a woman’s uterus. Even if a woman successfully gives birth to her baby, there can be certain defects in the new born due to antibiotics. Not all antibiotics are bad. But some antibiotics, even exceeding the dosage can even cause birth defects in the infant or even result in reduced birth weight.
ANTIBIOTICS TO AVOID
The antibiotics used to treat fever or common colds do not have any particular side effects during pregnancy. But antibiotics used for treating intestinal or respiratory infections should be taken with special care. Chances of miscarriage increases exponentially when antibiotics like macrolides, quinolones, tetracyclines, sulfonamides and metronidazole are used. Interestingly, the urinary tract infection (UTI), common in women and expectant mothers, is treated with antibiotics that are safe for pregnancy and don’t increase miscarriage. For treating infections that are common in pregnancy, home remedies can be used.
Infections can be evaded by regular yoga as it stabilises the body and maintains the health of the mother as well as the baby. For treating UTI, cranberry juice is extremely effective. It is important to strike a balance between nutrition and exercise.
The writer is consultant, obstetrics & gynaecology, Paras Bliss Panchkula