Untreated bacterial infections in pregnancy can be harmful, so antibiotics are sometimes necessary and important. Certain antibiotics are widely used and considered safe in pregnancy, while others are usually avoided, particularly in certain trimesters.
Because the choice depends on the antibiotic, the infection, and how far along you are, your clinician will pick one suited to pregnancy. Always tell any prescriber or pharmacist that you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding.
Do not self-treat with leftover or over-the-counter products, and do not skip a prescribed antibiotic out of worry without discussing it first. Seek urgent care for fever, severe abdominal pain, or signs of a kidney infection during pregnancy.