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Childbirth

IV antibiotics in labour (GBS)

4 replies

dinny · 20/08/2004 20:19

I need IV antibitotics in labour - at least four hours before delivery. This is my second pregnancy and I'm getting worried that I won't reach hospital in time to receive them. Can anyone advise me of their experiences? Thanks, Dinny

OP posts:

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zebra · 20/08/2004 20:55

I don't know for sure if this is right, but hopefully someone will correct me if it's wrong. I think if you have the baby very quickly, esp. very soon after the waters have broken, then the risk of the baby getting GBS is dramatically if not entirely reduced. So... having a very quick labour can actually be a good thing if you carry GBS.

I know there are are other threads about IVs in labour/GBS, if you can make time to search for them.

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louli · 21/08/2004 19:57

Dinny I am due next week and have the same worries as you. The way I understand it is that you go to hospital as soon as possible after the first sign of labour and they can start you on the anti-b's then rather than waiting until labour is really in full swing. I know last time I had a long time from waters breaking to starting anti-b's and that meant that the infection had really taken hold. I want this labour to be at least 4 hours if not 8 to get two doses of anti-b's through to the baby. Good luck!

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alexsmum · 21/08/2004 20:14

I had gbs with both my boys.ds1 didn't have any anti-biotics and ds2 did.they were both fine. I know this isn't everyone's experience but it was mine.
I just stayed at home until i couldn't cope any longer and then went in.i had one dose of anti-biotics probably about 3pmish and ds was born at 6pmish.However my waters didn't break until 8 minutes before he was born.Midwife had asked if i wanted her to break my waters..i said no.
After ds was born, they did some blood tests on ds and if they had been positive he would have had anti-biotics, but thankfully they were negative. If your baby has to have blood tests, please ask for someone from scbu to do them.I had a junior dr fumbling about for ages until I told her to stop and get someone more experienced.The dr from scbu did it first time without waking him up.
Please remember that while it is a terrible thing ,gbs disease in babies is very rare.Don't let your worry spoil things for you.

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dinny · 21/08/2004 20:54

Thanks for these posts. I so want to receive the antibiotics in labour so the baby isn't started on them as a precaution.
Louli, I am not looking forward to being in hospital from early on in labour. But it's a small price to pay to lower the risk of GBS infection. Just hope it's long enough to get there in time... Hope everything goes well for you. x
Zebra and Alexsmum, my waters didn't break last time - had ARM when fully dilated. No-one is touching them this time! Hope they stay intact as long. Thanks for posting.