GBS Antibiotic Use in Early Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

Question
I'm 34 and approximately 9 weeks pregnant. This is my first pregnancy and I feel paranoid about everything! My doctor's office called to say that my urine test came back indicating that I am a carrier of GBS and they prescribed amoxicillin. From what I've read, GBS is usually treated immediately before labor... Does it matter if I start taking antibiotics in my 1st trimester? Won't it come back between now and birth? For fetal development concerns, should I wait until after my 10th or 11th week to expose the baby to a prescription drug? If I get a yeast infection from the antibiotic, is that going to be difficult to treat while I'm pregnant? Lastly, could my husband be infected too and will he need a prescription (before we have sex again)? Thanks!

Answer
If a culture of your vagina is positive for GBS at 36 weeks, then you will be extremely colonized at term and, therefore, will be treated with antibiotics during labor. However, if you have GBS in your urine (at any time during the pregnancy) you must be treated. Amoxicillin is safe for use at any time during the pregnancy. There will not be any problem with fetal development and you want to protect the fetus from GBS, in any case. You cannot transit GBS to your husband. If you get a yeast infection, you can, indeed, use Monistat-7 cream during pregnancy. Uust follow the directions of your obstetrician and don't worry.