AboutBrenda Expertise I have been an R.N. since 1988 and come from a family of nurses. I have clinical experience in labor and delivery, as well as post-partum care and pre-term pregnancy complications. I have also worked in Community Health Clinics dealing with this area of expertise, including WIC (Women, Infant, & Children) clinics performing nursing evaluations and assessments in determining a need for services or intervention for pregnant women, newborns, and young children. I have worked in immunization clinics in and around my community as well. I also have several years experience in OB and Pediatric Home Care Nursing. In addition to that, I am a mother of two, ages 21 and 16, both of which I had hoped would be vaginal deliveries, but ended up being C-Sections... one of which had me in pre-term labor...another which was frank breech (bottom first)... one who rejected the breast... and so on... to list my personal experience would be a bit lengthy! I'd simply like to help anyone who might have a question or concern that I can draw on my expertise to answer!
Experience I have been an R.N. since 1988 and come from a family of nurses. I have clinical experience in labor and delivery, as well as post-partum care and pre-term pregnancy complications. I have also worked in Community Health Clinics dealing with this area of expertise, including WIC (Women, Infant, & Children) clinics performing nursing evaluations and assessments in determining a need for services or intervention for pregnant women, newborns, and young children. I have worked in immunization clinics in and around my community as well. I also have several years experience in OB and Pediatric Home Care Nursing. My experience also includes approximately three years working in Behavioral Services.
Education/Credentials Graduated from the Mary Lanning School of Nursing in May 1988. Have been a licensed Registered Nurse in the state of NE since 1988.
Question I am 28 weeks pregnant and prone to UTI's. I see a urologist, and she has prescribed me with Cipro for the type of infection I have. (she said the bug I have is only sensitive to gentamycin and cipro) Well she consulted my OB-GYN and he okay'd it. I have done some research and am nervous about taking it. Its a pregnancy category C and apparently has fused bone/cartilage in fetus's of animals. I was wondering with all your experience and background if you ever looked after any pregnant patients on Cipro and if their babies turned out okay. Thanks for your help.
Answer Dear Christi,
I have not had direct personal experience with anyone specifically on Cipro - that I can recall. Which means that I either haven't had, or the mother/baby did not have any adverse reactions to it that would have made it stick out in my memory. I have, however, cared for moms who have required antibiotics in general during their pregnancy and most antibiotics have some type of "warning" regarding pregnancy.
Here's the deal... doctors will weigh medications on a case by case basis, depending upon how severe the condition is that is requiring the drug and what the potential adverse effects could be on the pregnancy if the condition goes untreated. Your infection must be severe enough that they do not want to let it continue to go unchecked for the next 12 weeks (potentially). Having a raging infection of bladder or kidneys is not ideal for your pregnancy either and could cause other problems. Not only is it hard on your body (and uncomfortable to boot) kidney infections may cause early labor and a low birth weight baby.
You've now entered your 3rd trimester. Most of your baby's critical development has taken place. Doctors tend to be much more concerned about "non-approved" medications early in pregnancy when organ, neural, and skeletal development is more intense.
My thought is that your urologist and your OB have weighed the pros and cons of your particular situation and feel that this is the best option for you and your pregnancy.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. Please feel free to write again with any additional questions. I wish you a joyous remainder of your pregnancy and Christmas season!
