CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

When Are Antibiotics Not Okay During Pregnancy?

save article
profile picture of Anisa Arsenault
By Anisa Arsenault, Associate Editor
Updated February 26, 2017
Hero Image
Image: Shutterstock

Even the most cautious moms-to-be can find themselves sick with a virus or infection during pregnancy. And if they do, it’s reassuring that researchers from the University of Montreal recently vetted common antibiotics, finding no link to birth defects. But a new study poses a question: Is it a good idea to take antibiotics the whole way through pregnancy?

The European Lung Foundation found that even when confounding factors like a mother’s smoking, asthma or respiratory illness history were accounted for, a link between infant wheezing and taking antibiotics during the third trimester of pregnancy remained.

“There is some evidence to suggest that taking antibiotics at this stage alters the composition of the mother’s bacteria, which when transmitted to the newborn may modify the immune system development and explain the increased susceptibility to infections and wheeze,” says Dr. Maja Popovic, lead author of the study.

“As we identified that this risk still exists at this late stage of pregnancy, we would suggest that more research is needed to understand this association and clarify the underlying mechanism so that practical public health interventions could be developed in order to minimise unnecessary antibiotic exposures during pregnancy.”

In other words, more research is needed to actually do something about this. Still, these new findings, published in the European Respiratory Journal, back previous studies that eliminating antibiotics during pregnancy could keep baby asthma-free.

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

FDA Greenlights First At-Home Cervical Cancer Screening Device
FDA Greenlights First At-Home Cervical Cancer Screening Device
By Wyndi Kappes
Amber Heard speaks on the stage during the 69th Taormina Film Festival on June 24, 2023 in Taormina, Italy
Amber Heard Welcomes Fraternal Twins and Shares Their Names
By Wyndi Kappes
smiling baby in infant lounger
New Safety Standards for Infant Support Cushions Go Into Effect
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
MMR vaccine
1,000 Measles Cases in 2025 Marks the 2nd Worst Year Since Elimination
By Wyndi Kappes
Mallory Pugh and Dansby Swanson Are Expecting Their First Baby
Mallory Pugh and Dansby Swanson Are Expecting Their First Baby
By Wyndi Kappes
mother and father holding newborn baby in hospital bed
America's Most Popular Baby Names, According to the SSA's Report
By Wyndi Kappes
pregnant woman sitting on hospital bed in labor and delivery room
4 in 5 Parents Say Giving Birth Abroad Was the More Affordable Choice
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
husband and wife smiling and holding hands during labor and delivery
Man’s ‘Worst Songs to Play While Your Wife Is Labor’ List Goes Viral
By Wyndi Kappes
close up of hand holding a tomato inside grocery store
Tomatoes Recalled in 14 States Due to Salmonella Risk
By Wyndi Kappes
pregnant couple shopping online at home
90% of Baby Products Get Hit With Tariffs: What Parents Need to Know
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mariah Riddlesprigger attend "Giannis: The Marvelous Journey" World Premiere on February 17, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mariah Riddlesprigger Welcome Baby No. 4
By Wyndi Kappes
Dr. Tiffany Moon and family portrait
Real Housewives’ Tiffany Moon on Trading Parenting Perfection for Connection
By Wyndi Kappes
Rihanna Is Pregnant Again! Expecting Baby No. 3 With A$AP Rocky
Rihanna Is Pregnant Again! Expecting Baby No. 3 With A$AP Rocky
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
mother and newborn baby in hospital after labor and delivery
New Zealand’s New List of Banned Baby Names Includes Some US Favorites
By Wyndi Kappes
close up of baby sleeping in crib
Safe to Sleep Program Cut Amid Increase in Sleep-Related Infant Deaths
By Wyndi Kappes
F1 Driver Max Verstappen Welcomes First Child With Kelly Piquet
F1 Driver Max Verstappen Welcomes First Child With Kelly Piquet
By Wyndi Kappes
lucy and adam isaac holding their newborn baby
Mom’s Womb Temporarily Removed During Pregnancy to Treat Cancer
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
mom and infant playing with toys
By 15 Months, Babies Can Learn Words for Things They’ve Never Seen
By Wyndi Kappes
close up of pregnant woman feeling belly
This Mom's Description of Baby's Movements During Pregnancy Is Spot on
By Wyndi Kappes
pregnant woman talking with doctor
How New Prenatal Care Guidance From ACOG Might Affect Parents-to-Be
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List