step b test - did you pay or would your midwife send it off for you?

[sarahbeth2]

I have ordered one and have to send away but wondered if the midwife would send the test for me? Anyone done this?
Thanks

[moregranny]

My daughter asked her midwife but she wouldn't do anything for her.

[sarahbeth2]

They are not keen on strepb tests so i guess i may have the same. I know strep b can change from day to day but will still do it. My friend lost her baby at 39 weeks due to infection, not strep b but i suppose it just makes you more sensitive to it all!

[moregranny]

They do come with everything you need to do the test and return it, you then get a text message with the result :)

[varyingdegreesofdeafness]

or, if they aer like my miwife and doctors, the test is taken, midwife sends it to doctors who put it in file assuming mw will deal, mw sticks it at back of notes assuming gp will deal, 5hrs into labour the midwife asks me if i know i have strep b infection and asks if i can sort of hold on while i'm pumped with two courses of antibiotics to dc won't need iv drip when born

luckily, dc held on for hours and got my antibiotics

[sarahbeth2]

Not good! U have the test, i guess i will send it myself. Hate the way they are not open or testing for it more.

[chinateacup]

My MW invited me to have the test at 37 weeks and has put it on my notes. Maybe only because DS1 developed an infection shortly after birth so could have been Strep B...

[Thornykate]

I read that the private tests are more accurate than the nhs ones, sorry can't remember the technical reasons why.

[TransatlanticCityGirl]

My midwife did mine for free.

[aftereight]

I asked my mw and she gave me the swab to do my own and take to the hospital. She said it's not standard practice and results not reliable as results can be misleading e.g. Negative test a week earlier doesn't mean no strepb at birth.

[RumNoRaisinsPlease]

The culture methods used are different, the one used for the private test is specific for group B strep so higher pickup rate. The NHS lab tests are designed to pick up a whole range of pathogens not just group B strep so less sensitive.