Pregnant Women, Think Before Taking Antibiotics as It May Increase Risk of Miscarriage

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed during pregnancy but it is very important to be aware of the possible dangers it has and also the side effects it can cause. The increasing use of antibiotics has become quite controversial. Antibiotics are powerful drugs that destroy or slow down the growth of bacteria. Therefore, they are also known as anti-bacterials and are often prescribed for minor infections like cold, flu, cough and sore throat. But, in the recent years, there has been a lot of talk about the side effects of popping antibiotics regularly, especially for children and pregnant women. According to a new study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, taking certain antibiotic drugs may increase the risk of miscarriage by 60% to 100%.The study that was conducted by researchers at the Universite de Montreal in Canada warns women who take antibiotics during the early stages of pregnancy. The team studies data from about 9000 cases miscarriage including women between the ages of 15 to 45. It was seen that many common antibiotics such as macrolides, quinolones, tetracyclines, sulfonamides and metronidazole had a strong link with the increased risk of miscarriage in early pregnancy. Interestingly, a certain class of antibiotic drugs that are commonly used during pregnancy were not found to be harmful. For instance, antibiotics like erythromycin and nitrofurantoin that are often used to treat urinary tract infections in pregnant women were not associated with the risk of miscarriage.
 _{Certain antibiotic drugs may increase the risk of miscarriage}According to the researchers, the risk is small and only pertains to the consumption of antibiotics during early pregnancy. Infections are common during pregnancy and although, in some cases antibiotics can actually help decrease the risk of premature birth or low birth weight, certain antibiotics have been found to increase the risk of spontaneous abortion as per this new study. The study also took into consideration facts like women who miscarried were more likely to be older, living alone, and may have had multiple health issues and infections while analyzing the results. Therefore, you should always avoid self-medication and consult your doctor before you decide to take any pill.