QuestionHi Brenda
Today I am 30 weeks. Since 2 -3 weeks ago, I am having burning sensation around the area and the abdomen pain. Last week, my doctor had ordered 2 tests, one was the urine and one was called FFN.
His nurse called me today, saying that FFN is negative. Can you tell me what is the FFN test? for what?
And they found the bacteria in my urine and had perscribed, 20 pills of Ampicillin capsule 250mg, 1 capsule per 8 hours. What type of bacteria it is? and is it safe to take so many of the antibiotics (20 pcs) during my stage. In addition, I was prescribed 10 pills of the same kind of antibiotics during 12 weeks for GBS. I concern about my baby. The nurse over the phone could not tell me much about it. Please help.
And, do you think that I need to test the urine again when I finished all the medication just to make sure the bacteria is clear? and do you think that I need to re-take the urine test again and again to keep track of the bacteria up to delivery?
What precautions can reduce the urinary infection? any food or drink can reduce the infection from happening again?
Hence, I was diagonsed with gestational diabetes(no insulin injection is needed), and I am trying very hard to control myself, but sometimes, one or two times in a week, the glucose level goes up to 190 after meal, standard is <140. Will this affect the baby? what will be the harmful effect on my baby? And how soon the glucose level will be back to normal after delivery?
Thanks
AnswerDear Ellen,
The fetal fibronectin (fFN) test helps predict the likelihood of premature delivery. fFN is a protein produced during pregnancy and functions as a biological glue, attaching the fetal sac to the uterine lining. During the 1st trimester and for about half of the 2nd trimester (up to 22 weeks of gestation), fFN is normally present in the cervico-vaginal secretions of pregnant women. In most pregnancies, after 22 weeks, this protein is no longer detected until the end of the last trimester (1-3 weeks before labor). The presence of fFN during weeks 24-34 of a high-risk pregnancy, along with symptoms of labor, suggests that the "glue" may be disintegrating ahead of schedule and alerts doctors to a possibility of preterm delivery. Your negative result means that this protein is not present in your secretions so you are not at risk of preterm labor/delivery in the next couple of weeks.
The ampicillin for the urinary tract infection is fine during pregnancy. Ampicillin is considered safe during pregnancy. I have no way of knowing what particular bacterium caused the infection. Urinary tract infections are common during pregnancy and the most common causative organism is Escherichia coli. Your doctor may do a follow-up urinalysis after you have finished the full course of treatment to make sure the infection has cleared. Make sure you take the ampicillin as ordered and take all of it.
There are ways to help prevent UTIs. Here are a few suggestions:
- ALWAYS wipe from front to back after urinating or having a bowel movement
- Drink plenty of plain water everyday to help flush out your urinary tract
- Drinking cranberry juice is a fairly well known and natural way to both help prevent urinary tract infections, as well as help speed the recovery process when a UTI develops. Just drinking two 4 ounce glasses of cranberry juice daily is often enough to both prevent UTI and speed recovery when an infection does develop.
- When you feel the need to urinate, do so as soon as possible
- Always urinate after sexual intercourse and wash up if possible
- Limit use of feminine hygiene sprays and douches
- Always wear panties with a cotton crotch
- Take showers instead of tub baths
In regard to the GBS infection, medical research indicates that giving antibiotics through the vein to the mother during labor can greatly reduce the frequency of GBS infection in the baby immediately after birth or during the first week of life. Treating the mother with oral antibiotics during the pregnancy may decrease the amount of GBS for a short time, but it will NOT eliminate the bacteria completely and will leave the baby unprotected at birth. Also, waiting to treat the baby with antibiotics after birth is often too late to prevent illness. That is why IV antibiotics are nearly always given DURING labor/delivery.
Lastly, gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women. It usually begins in the 5th or 6th month of pregnancy (between the 24th and 28th weeks). Most often, gestational diabetes goes away after the baby is born. However, it may be several weeks after your baby's birth before your gestational diabetes goes away. To make sure it has gone away, your doctor will ask you to have a special blood test one or two months after you have your baby.
High sugar levels in your blood can be unhealthy for both you and your baby. If the diabetes isn't treated, your baby may be more likely to have problems at birth. For example, your baby may have a low blood sugar level or jaundice, or your baby may weigh much more than is normal. Gestational diabetes can also affect your health. For instance, if your baby is very large, you may have a more difficult delivery or need a cesarean section. You will need to follow a diet suggested by your doctor, exercise regularly and have blood tests to check your blood sugar level. You may also need to take medicine to control your blood sugar level. You should avoid eating foods that contain a lot of simple sugar, such as cake, cookies, candy or ice cream. Instead, eat foods that contain natural sugars, like fruits. If you get hungry between meals, eat foods that are healthy for you, such as raisins, carrot sticks, or a piece of fruit. Whole grain (as opposed to white) pasta, breads, rice and fruit are good for both you and your baby. As long as you are keeping the blood sugar <140 after meals nearly all of the time with diet and exercise, you should be able to avoid using insulin.
I hope all of this information has helped you and answered your questions. I wish you well.
Brenda
