> If a mother has antibiotics for 4 hours before the birth of her baby, does
> the abx cross the placenta?  Will a baby be more likely to develop thrush
> because of this pre-birth treatment of her mother?
>

Yes.  It does cross.....there are times when the amniotic fluid can literally
reek of the meds.  The baby is drinking, swimming, absorbed in it.  So of
course it increases the likelihood of thrush.  One of the FIRST questions I
ask a mom that contacts me within the first week with very sore nipples is
whether they had IV antibiotics during labor.

Personally......I'm quite happy to sign a waiver and refuse the antibiotics.
I don't like antibiotics used before they are needed.  I prefer to monitor a
baby's temperature and watch for the telltale drop in temp you'll see with
GBS before the infection sets in.  But then of course we open a whole 'nother
can of worms with the time that would take to monitor a baby's temp hourly
for the first couple of days.  Not something a nursery staff is happy to do.
Not something I mind doing in the comfort of my home.  :)  We're nursing
anyway.

Cheryl Taylor White
Oklahoma City, OK

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