Strep B & antibiotics during labour

[Honeymoonmummy]

When I was PG last time I had to have strep B antibiotics through a cannula. I have now been tested positive for it again. I hated having the cannula in my hand (although also needed it for induction drugs) but would like to avoid it next time if possible. I read on a thread that it was possible to get an injection of the antibiotics rather than continuous feed and asked consultant about this at hospital but she said it was not as effective for the baby and would hurt a lot?? Anyone got any thoughts?

have no idea but I'm in a similar position to you. I've been told it's done through IV. Is there another person at the hospital you can check with? I was given incorrect advice at my hospital those morning from a consultant re: their antibiotic policy for grp b strep and antibiotics so they might just be wrong/not know about it.

Don't understand why it would hurt - sounds odd, no? I'd check TBH.

you could maybe ask for the cannula to be put somewhere other than the back of your hand. I needed a drip for fluids a couple of years ago and the doctor put it into the side of my arm (roughly 2 inches below my elbow and to the right if i held the underside of my arm up - hope that makes sense). Its the most comfortable place I've ever had a cannula (have had them in hand and elbow crook before) and it meant i could move my arm around without any trouble. It still felt fine 24 hours later which was a big change from cannulas in my hand which I can handle for about an hour before begging to have it removed.

My sister has cystic fibrosis and she always has her IV ABs in a cannula in her arm. She says it's much more comfortable than the back of her hand (and less likely to catch on things)

Presumably, it would hurt to have the injection as it would be intramuscular (and probably quite a large dose).

Point out to the nurse that if you're going to give birth then any kind of injection probably isn't going to be that bad.

IM wouldn't be much use in labour as it would take so much longer to be absorbed, metabolised and effective.

I.V. ideally needs 2 hours to become fully effective 'cover', and that's the quickest.

Hi, I also got diagnosed with strep b just now and I was told that the IV antibiotics could be given as two separate injections into a cannula without any problems, then it wouldn't be a hindrance if you wanted a waterbirth or active birth.

The infusion usually takes about 20 mins, and can then be disconected.
If you ask them to put a good thick wrap bandage over it maybe it won't be such a bother for you? Won't knock it and stuff as you mobilise

Thanks guys, some good ideas here.

I asked my midwife about this and she laughed and told me I definitely couldn't have a water birth. I had group b strep with my first pregnancy but haven't got it this time around with my second. However I'm told I still need the antibiotics just in case.

I agree, the cannula was the worst part of my labour last time. It was so irritating and felt like if I bent my wrist the needle would pop out the side of my hand. I still have a scar from it 2 years later. I will definitely suggest they put it in the side of my arm after reading this thread.

Any further information on the possibility of water births even with the cannulaa would be very useful. I did read somewhere that they can waterproof the cannula and you can keep your arm out of the water but after my attempted discussion with my midwife about this I had written off the idea... hopefully it will depend on the midwife you get during the labour and what their personal views on the topic are.

My hospital consultant said there would be absolutely no problem with me having a water birth. Get a second opinion RoaryBear.

RoaryBear, you should contact "head of midwifery" at your local hospital, your midwife should support you.