Group B Strep - Experience?

[Chooster]

Hi - I'd just like some advise if any has experience with Group B strep.

I had problems with my last pregnancy which I eventually lost at 21 weeks. During all the tests I had they found that I was positive for Group B strep. It was not relevant to the issues at the time so I didn't give it any more thought.

I mentioned the result to my midwife (am curerntly 26 weeks) and she called me back to say she's spoken to a consultant who said that if wanted to be treated with antibiotics after my waters have broken then I can but its my choice. She said the only implication is that I'll need to stay in hospital after my waters break. I will do some research on the web as well but just wondering if anyone has any advise / experience? I was kind of hoping for a recommendation from the midwife / consultant.

[lilybubble]

Hi there,
I had this, it was found at around 36 weeks. I also had severe SPD and couldn't walk, so my whole labour was spent in bed, no walking around. I wasn't given a choice though about antibiotics, had to have them - they put me on a drip quite early on. It also meant I had to stay in hospital for a minimum of 24 hours after birth to be monitored, both dd and me that is. In the end was in there longer though, but for a variety of reasons.

Both dd and I were fine though, never had any problem from it.

Best of luck!

[Hillllllllllary]

Good morning Chooster,

I have alot of experience with GBS, I was GBS positive with my first baby who was delivered vaginally, I was given IV antibiotics 4 hours before delivery and she was absouloutly fine. Although I did have a 3rd Degree tear.

My second baby was an elective C-Section, The hospital would not give me antibiotics as they said there was no risk to the baby. My baby contracted a GBS infection and spent months on life support, she contracted septiacemia, phnemonia, meningitis and was given a 5% chance of survival. After alot of heartache, many blood and platlet transfusions and various trial drugs she pulled through, everyone was truely amazed she recovered even the consultant said she probably wouldnt survive - and they were his exact words.

My advice would be make sure you receive antibiotics as soon as you hit established labour, it takes 4 hours for the antibiotics to cross the placenta and protect the baby. I was on the assumption it will never happen to me but it did. If you have to stay in hospital then so be it, a few days in hospital complaining about their food is alot better than months in ITU crying.

Please have a look at my profile, I will post again and attach it (its not in this post)

[hana]

I had this with my 3rd pregnancy - I was given antibiotics as soon as my waters had broken - I was slightly worried as it was my 3rd and bound to be quicker than the others ( in terms of getting 'enough' antibiotics into me so that the baby wouldn't require any) but really, I worried for nothing. There was plenty of time to have all the doses ( and they can drip into you, or really really pour in!!)
I would def opt to stay in the hospital after you waters have broken - it's only a short term inconvenience really

[Hilllary]

Here have a look at my profile pictures

[Chooster]

Thanks for the replies. The midwife doesn't seem concerned and as they've given me a choice as to whether to have the antibiotics or not then I thought that there mustn't be a significant risk, but after hearing your story Hilllary I think I'll have them. I dont mind staying in hospital at all and would do anything to keep this baby safe, but its good to hear from others who've had this done. I thought it was interesting that my mid-wife also said that just because I was positive in Dec 05 it doesn't mean I'll be positive when this baby is due.

[beckybrastraps]

Yes. I stayed in hospital after my waters broke, and had 4 hourly antibiotics. We also stayed in for 48 hours after the delivery for regular obs. Dd actually developed a fever about 12 hours after she was born, causing us a bit of a panic, but it went as quickly as it came and she was fine. IMO, you can get arsey over these things, and I was certainly desparate to get home after dd was born, but for peace of mind I wouldn't have done it any other way.
So glad your dd recovered Hillary.

[Hilllary]

OOh I hate that, I was told that too but when I spoke to the consultant who came down from London (as my dd was too sick to be transfered) he said it was nonsence once positive always positive. It can travel around the body via your blood so having a c-section puts you at the same risk, also if you have bleeding during pregnancy you should be aware that if something is comming out, GBS can also go in.

The health proffessionals are so fay about it, it makes me sick and angry.

[beckybrastraps]

Really? Mine were fab. No panic, but full info and 'this is the way it will be'. They got it spot on I reckon. My only wobble was with the locum midwife who read it in my notes and stuck 'GBS ALERT' stickers all over the place. I felt rather 'unclean' . Sad to hear that my experience is not the norm.

[Jossiejump]

Hiya, my GBS was picked up in labour with my first son, it was emphasised to me that I had to have antibiotics and we had to stay in for three days after the birth for my son to be observed. For my next labour my waters leaked and I had to be induced (although I was a couple of weeks early) as I had to be in active labour within 24 hours of my waters leaked. Was also hooked up to an antibiotic drip and kept in for 3 days again. I have to say that I was glad that all of these precautions were made as I felt that the best care was being kept of us.
Hope this helps

[mrsdarcy]

Chooster - have a look at this website . It sets out all sorts of useful information about the risk factors and the recommendations for dealing with them. With respect to your midwife/consultant, I don't think their advice correlates to these recommendations.

I suggest you ask for a copy of the hospital's protocol for GBS. When I had my DD I had a big bright yellow "GBS" sticker on the front of my notes.

When I had my DS2, 4 years previously, I knew about the GBS but hadn't really researched it, and hadn't been told that I must get to hospital in time to have 4 hours of antibiotics. I didn't have any and my DS2 had to go to special care for IV abs as his temp shot up after delivery. He was fine, thank goodness, but I can tell you that I would rather have the minimal discomfort of IV antibiotics myself, than see my baby have them.

The risks are small and if you have a straightforward delivery, are even smaller - if the baby whooshes down the birth canal quickly it has minimal contact with the bacteria. But as Hillary's horrible experience shows, things can go wrong terribly quickly.

[helbel3]

Havent read whole thread. I have three children and strep B. I didnt know I had strep B until had a miscarriage after ds1 was born, doctors said the strep B could have been the cause of the miscarriage. I then went on to have ds2, they insisted on iv drip of antibiotics whilst I was in labour but delivered two hours after getting to hospital. Ds2 had to have an iv tap in his hand, this was awful for him, he was screaming and I was crying and hysterical and highly charged. The doctor who did this in front of me got a good telling off as the consultant said she should have got dh to go with the baby and not put me through it straight after the birth.

With my pregnancy with dd3 it was agreed that I would go in on my due date and receive antibiotics, one because I had previously laboured in under two hours and secondly because of the bad experience.

You will have to stay in a few nights whether you have antiobiotics or not as a baby can change so quickly.

I would recommend antibiotics. Sorry for the length

[monkey07]

I was unaware that i had GBS when my waters broke. Luckily the hospital swabbed me and it was identified...although not until about 60 hours after my waters breaking. I had to have a c-section for other reasons, but i got iv antbiotics while they induced me (and the hospital breathed a sigh of relief they had fially checked my swab results.. )My DS was fine, although they did get very overcautious and give him 72 hours iv antibiotics as a precaution.
My advice, have the antibiotics as soon as you are able, whether you having a vaginal birth or c-sect.
oh and isnt there an online petition campaigning for routine testing for GBS? i think i will sign it...

[Chooster]

Thanks to all of you for your replies and for the web site link. I've definately opted for the anti-biotics and it is now written on my notes so I shouldn't have to discuss it again when I get to hospital.

In hindsight I suppose I am quite surprised that the advise given to me hadn't been stronger. It was very much a case of "its your call". I also got the impression that they were going to allow me to make the choice as I'd had a bad experience with my last pregnancy, whereas they may not have given someone else the choice? Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but thanks again for all your comments and stories. Its certianly helped me understand the significance.

[NKF]

I think it's odd the attitude that it's your call. There is a GBS charity and it might be worth having a look at their website. It's a small charity and if you ask them a question, you will get a very personal and friendly response. GBS is very manageable. That I do know.

[SparklyGothKat]

After I delivered DD1 at 31 weeks, she had septiacemia while in SCBU, but we only found out from a medical report when she was 1 that she had septiacemia, we also found out about the GBS when she is 2 from another medical report, I had had Dd2 in between at 33 weeks and had no knowledge of the GBS. Am pregnant again and because of DD1 contracting GBS at birth they have stuck GSB stickers all over my notes.

[jabuti]

can i ask how do they detect if you have strep b if nhs doesnt do that as routine check? are there symptoms?

(paranoid lady here)

[Princesspowersparkle]

Ohhh Jabuti- thats just what I was going to ask. Going through another panic about that now!
X

[Babylovesmuffins]

PPS and Jabuti - I was wondering the same thing! HAve a look at the link Mrs Darcy sent. The website says you can have a test done privately for about £32 and best done at 35-37 weeks. (Funnily enough they don't recommend the NHS test as they say it's not very accurate!!)

[Megglevache]

Message withdrawn

[franca70]

Just wanted to add that many European countries test routinely for gbs at around 36 weeks. Testing is, as far as I know, recommended by WHO. Also it sounds weird that whether having antibiotics is something of your choice. If it's true that it's quite rare for the babies to catch it, it's true that it can be life threatening infection. Put your foot down on this chooster.

[franca70]

yes, I signed that petition

[jabuti]

yes, i read the link and i think i will go for a private test.

but i was wondering how the other ones that posted here found out they had it since nhs doesnt offer it as a routine... you know what im saying?

[Hillls]

jabuti I was swabbed by the maternity unit as my waters broke early, they didnt tell me until I was in labour that I had to have IV anitbiotics, I wanted to know why and they said it was because I was GBS positive

Once positive always positive.

The private test is more accurate than the NHS one. If you are worried you can ask your midwife/gp to be tested, they cannot refuse you especially if you say on your head be it!!

There are no symptoms for GBS it is carried like MRSA its not an issue unless you have a baby - like MRSA and an open wound.

GBS bacteria can also be contracted from the environment so make sure everyone who touches your baby washes their hands and uses antibacterial gel - something else they dont tell you.

[elibumbum]

I was a GBS carrier - the GBSS website is very good - you can download a very helpful info pack for carriers via their site. I had 2x IV antibiotics over 8 hours. Each dose doesn't take long to go in so you are not linked up to the drip for very long - ask them to site the canula on your hand so you can bend your wrist (this helps if you want to be on hands and knees during the labour).

If you have to stay in for a few days get your DP/family/friends to bring you meals then you don't even have to suffer hospital food!

[jabuti]

ah, i see! thank you so much for the clarifications hills.

im taking mental notes and bookmarking things from mumsnetters tips & advice!