Group B strep - argh?

[Teeste]

So I just got a very stark letter informing me GBS has been found in my urine (I'm consultant led) and I'll be needing IV antibiotics in labour, along with a leaflet from the GBSS. I'm just about to go out to my routine MW appointment so will obviously be asking her some questions about it, but she's covering for my usual MW so no idea if she'll be able to answer them.

Anyone else been through this? I've been doing a quick bit of googling but, as usual, answers range from the very worst fatal outcomes to shrug-it-off-no-problem.

Are the ABs risky in any way? Will this mean extra monitoring and time in hospital post-birth? Will this affect my birth plan just when I was beginning to believe they might let me have a water birth? What if I need a CS? How do you tell if your baby is infected after birth when all the symptoms sound pretty normal baby stuff (poor feeding, not sleeping etc.)? Will I need to be in hospital from very early on? My pregnancy has otherwise been pretty standard, I'm only consultant led due to BMI. Does this count as one of those other risk factors?

I'm nearly 36 weeks with my first btw. And probably in a bit of a flap right now! Argh!

[AbbeyRoadCrossing]

I had GBS and they'll give you an antibiotic IV during labour and possibly antibiotics to your baby too. I think you can still have a water birth as long as you keep your hand out and if the ward has a pool you can use. I was still allowed one but ended up with an emcs anyway so it didn't matter
It's undetected GBS that's dangerous so at least you know

[TakesTwoToTango]

I had it too. You have to go in earlier than you usually would in early labour/as soon as waters break to get the abs.

Whether they will allow a water birth depends on the hospital. Mine initially said no but I argued and they agreed (nb consultant midwife at the hospital much more helpful/used to this than the consultant!). Post natal policy at my hospital was as long as mum had received two doses in labour (given 4 hrs apart) no prophetic abs for baby post delivery but had to stay in at least 24hrs with regular checks/temperature etc on baby before being discharged home.

I was not thrilled at the prospect of baby getting the abs via me before/during delivery but offset against the potential risks of contracting gbs I decided it was well worth it.

Good luck!

[Butler4]

I found out I have gbs at 18 weeks after a vaginal swab for a separate issue. Don't get worked up about it, after reading up on it I'm pretty glad that I know before labour (first baby too) I would be in more of a panic if i didn't know.
I have to phone triage when my waters break and take it from there. Although waters may not break first so I will be prepared to phone them if I think I'm having contractions or in labour.
Should be put on an antibiotic drip during labour to protect baby for 8 hours minimum. I will be kept in for at least 12 hours so that baby can be monitored to make sure all is well.
You never know what type of labour you are going to have but I am just extremely glad it was found out before because I know that they will definitely be looking out for baby.
The midwives I have spoken to have been very good reassuring me as well.

[GlitzAndGigglesx]

I went into labour naturally and delivered dd perfectly fine on the drip. It was only detected pretty much last minute. DD wasn't affected at all

[boatrace30]

Hi, I had GBS diagnosed at nine weeks so it was taken into account with my birth plan. So firstly:

1. I was told to go in sooner rather than later so they could ensure baby gets at least 4 hours worth of ABS
   
2. If baby gets 4hrs of ABS via me, no need for them to have it
   
3. Water birth okay as I wouldn't be hooked up to iv the whole time.
   
   From my reading there were possible side effects of ABS such as increased risk of allergies and risk to you of getting thrush, but benefits far outweigh risks in my opinion.
   
   In the end I am having a c-section as I have a stubborn breech baby. So, GBS becomes irrelevant and no ABS needed as the baby won't pass through the birth canal. So after months of stressing about it...

[berrypicking]

I am 33 weeks and I have been found to have gbs after a swab for possible thrush. I have been told I need to go into hospital as soon as my waters go or labor starts so I can have at least 2 lots of antibiotics before I give birth hopefully! I have been told I can use the birthing pool if I want to [smile
I was worried too but I keep thinking thank god they found it and they can help prevent baby being infected! So I think chances are good.

[Teeste]

Thanks for all the answers! Sorry I didn't get back to you all sooner, I was admitted to hospital on Tuesday with raised BP and have only just escaped. Although BP is under control with labetalol and no protein in urine, I'm now on pre-eclampsia watch - such fun!

I had a word with the MWs at the hospital, apparently I will be on the IV ABs and baby will also be given them until he's found not to need them, so it's a precautionary thing. I may well be induced in the next few weeks and/or have a CS anyway now! Kind of puts everything into perspective a bit. I may have to give up my dreams of a nice water birth with whale music, tweeting birds and forest creatures like Sleeping Beauty and resign myself to the full-on medical route. Mind you, after spending 2 days on the ante natal ward listening to many, many frightened women in the throes of early labour, I'm thinking plenty of drugs will be no bad thing!

[Lemondrizzletwunt]

I have no answers for you as I don't know enough about it, but there's a great website / organisation called Group B Strep Support: gbss.org.uk They seem to be able to answer all sorts!

[AmberLav]

DD developed a mystery infection right after birth, which I know wasn't Strep B, but had a lot of the similar sypmtoms to Strep B (they did cultures, which is how I know it wasnt Strep) and her only symptom was fast breathing, which led to the blood tests that showed high infection markers.

She had 5 days of intensive antibiotics, and at 2 years old, she is just as healthy as her brother, and it a bright little button if I do say so myself.

You may not even have Strep B when you deliver, but I am so glad that DD had the antibiotics, and her infection was picked up early, even if it was a bit traumatic for the first few days. And being used as a pincushion did not ruin her naturally sunny disposion (though at 2, she's learned to be cross!)

Good luck with it all!