Metronidazole during pregnancy?

Question

has anyone ever used this drug during pregnancy to treat a bacterial infection? it was prescribed to me but i dont feel comfortable with it. i looked it up online and there are so many mixed opinions about how safe it really is and if it even really is affective in preventing preterm birth. i am 14 weeks along and this was actually prescribed at 8 weeks but i called the office to figure out why i needed it and the lady on the phone said not to take it in the first trimester cause it could cause birth defects so i didnt take it. so i went for my apt yest. and the midwife told me to start taking it now and insisted that it is fine and i should have taken it when it was given to me first. now i dont know what to do..i kinda feel like they should have re tested to see if the infection cleared up on its own before making me take this? also it has a lot of crappy side effects like vomiting, diarrhea ive even read that some babies have died in utero when mom was on this... just totally crappy oh and i read it may possibly be a carcinogen! and im scared for my baby...i dont know if i trust this lady with all these mixed opinions im getting.

i guess i just wanna see if anyone else has taken this antibiotic during pregnancy and if it had any effects on the baby? i took one dose already this morning but i dont feel good about it! and i kinda wish i looked into it more before doing that but i just want the best for my baby....any help would be appreciated i just want to ease my mind, i wanna be able to trust the ppl who are taking care of me since i live in a small town and they are the only ob office here!

thank you for taking the time to read this!

Answer 1

There is inadequate evidence of the safety of metronidazole in pregnancy but it has been in wide use for many years without apparent ill consequence. Nevertheless metronidazole, like other medicines, should not be given during pregnancy or during lactation unless the physician considers it essential; in these circumstances the short, high-dosage regimens are not recommended.

Answer 2

If you are not happy taking this then they should be able to give you something else that will do the same job-as they would do if you were allergic to one of the ingredients or something. Your midwife does not sound very helpful at all, perhaps you should see your normal doctor about this?  

Answer 3

i know, i have had 2 rounds of it, and think i might possibly need another. i NEVER take antibiotics! but, the thing is that, when the infection was not being controlled- i was having alot of contractions, and after a few days on the stuff they stopped. and thats the main risk w/ BV is preterm labor. and with you being only 14 weeks, your baby would not live. im 32 weeks- mine would (with major problems!) SO, my point is- i think its better to do the antibiotics rather than take the risk of preterm labor.

i had no side effects, except stopping my contractions- which is a good thing. i feel your fear, but i think the majority of people do fine on it.