Group B Strep - Should I be freaked out?

[Nats79]

Hi all

Have just received test results (opted to pay for them privately) that confirm I am positive for Group Strep B. TBH was expecting a negative so got a bit of a shock when was positive. I know all the stats that 30% women have it and the relatively small risk to the baby if you have antibiotics so don't know why I'm worried. The midwife didn't help when I got my results because she seemed to resent that I'd gone outside of the system just because I'd read about the option to do the test yourself. Can someone reassure me it's all going to be OK (or not!?)?

[thisisyesterday]

yes it'll be fine! as you say, a lot of peiople ahve it.

read this
I Know it's on the homebirth site (which may not be relevant for you) but it has a lot of very, very good info on group b strep

[kiskidee]

If you don't mind a lentil weavery suggestion, i can tell you what i have read about as a cure.

but only if you don't mind trying a lentil weavery alternative.

[Nats79]

I don't mind a lentil weavery suggestion but midwife huffily told me that now they now I have it they have to treat me as positive. To be honest I'm inclined to just have the antib's and cover all bases?

[thisisyesterday]

I would be interested kiskidee! not that I have it. well, I might, but I don't know.
but I am interested in these sorts of things

[Nats79]

Thanks thisisyesterday for the link to homebirth and group strep b - will take a look now as I'd wanted a mainly natural birth so will be interesting to see their take on it

[kiskidee]

take a 2 or 3 cloves of garlic, string it on some sturdy cotton, and put it up your fanjo. Repeat for a few days. you may want to look up more details by googling but that is what i have gleaned from the home birth yahoo group.

[dinny]

this is the site you need

they are really really helpful and very reassuring, you can speak to advisors on the phone

I had Group B with ds, had IV antibiotics in labour and all was well.

[dinny]

www.gbss.org.uk/

[thisisyesterday]

bum, just realised that link doesn't lead to the group b strep page.

you can ask for another swab later in pregnancy as well though, to make sure it's still there. because often it isn't.

IV antibiotics can also make Baby become more at risk of infection from other, antibiotic-resistant organisms

[thisisyesterday]

here, try this

[dinny]

Nats, I had a natural birth with ds (in hosp), at times in the birthing pool, have the antibiotics didn't affect labour at all (except flipping hurt getting the canular in!)

I did want a homebirth, though, and couldn't because of Group B

[Nats79]

Dinny - how did you feel on the antibiotics and were you able to stay mobile throughout? Had thought about using the birth pool but midwife said this prob isnt possible anymore. Was your bub all OK afterwards and how long did you stay in for? I'm 38+4 now so not much chance of it going before labour

[Nats79]

Thanks Dinny - made me feel better that you wanted a similar kind of birth and more or less got it.

[GrinningGorilla]

Please write in red pen on the front of your maternity notes GROUP B STREP. If it is your first baby he/she will probably be fine. If it is subsequent babies you must make sure that you are give I.V antibiotics in labour if there is time. Group B strep can have serious consequences in newborns if not identified. Prevention is better than cure.

DS2 nearly died. We took him home and 3 days later we noticed he was unwell, he ended up in SCBU and was very poorly.

When I had DD1 the labour was too quick for the I.V antibiotics so she had to go to SCBU. She had I.V antibiotics as a precaution, which was just as well as she had Group B strep.

I don't mean to be sensationalist but I had two babies with it and I was lucky.

[Nats79]

Thanks SingingBear so much for sharing that info with me. Hearing about the lumbar puncture (your poor friend) is enough to convince me antib's is the path to take and although it might reduce her resilience to other bugs I'm hoping breastfeeding might counteract some of that. Thisisyesterday - I'll give the garlic a whirl anyway (if only to give the midwives something pleasant to smell when they examine me!!)

[laura325630]

I cant believe the test isnt offered to all women and you had to pay. I asked for one when I was pregnant and the midwife asked why!! You are lucky that you know and that they can give you antibiotics to help you and dc. Good luck x

[Nats79]

GrinningGorilla you had a terrible time but thanks for sharing. It seems like the docs and midwives really play down the potential consequences and I would rather know to be able to prevent it so it doesn't seem sensationalist just realist

[GrinningGorilla]

I was in labour with my daughter (only 2 hours) and all I Kept shouting was "I need antibiotics she will have Strep" I couldnt focus on the labour at all I was so worried. The midwives didn't seem to understand the seriousness of it. I just don't think its accepted that it can be so dangerous.

Good luck and I'm sure if you make everyone aware that you have it you and baby will be fine.

[Dragonbutter]

you can put garlic up your fanjo if you like, but if i were you i'd take the antibiotics during labour.

[dinny]

Nats, didn't affect my labour at all, the antibiotics going in - think I had them going in when I was in the birthing pool actually, it was all rushed as was 8cm dilated when got to hosp

I didn't actually have them the requisite 4 hours before delivery, but the paeds agreed to observe ds rather than commence with IV antibiotics for him, and he was fine thankfully

another factor that helped was that he came down the birth canal with his waters intact

you have reminded me I need to tell my mw I had GBS last pregnancy as am pg again now

Grinninggorilla - so glad all worked out well for you. Why does GBS affect subsquent babies more than first?

[dinny]

I'm sure I remember reading last time that once you have tested positive in one pg they treat you as a carrier in subsequent pgs.....

not sure if had it first time, think I may have done as dd was premature for now apparent reason...they never tested her or me, though all was well with us both