MRSA swabbing?

[Elasticsong]

I'm coming up 30 weeks and my MW has said that all pregnant women need to have an MRSA swab test. I can't find much info about this at all. Am planning a home birth so I'm assuming it's a 'just in case' thing.

Anyone else? Is it mandatory? Is it preventative or statistical or both?

[blackteaplease]

I had one. Its to check you are clear and if not give you drugs to shift infection to reduce risk to hospital. I would assume that you have the right to refuse it bit dontsee why you would. Its just a swipe round your nose and.mouth with a swab.

[Elasticsong]

Thanks blacktea, not planning on refusing but, having looked it up a little, I was a bit ...meh... that the midwife had sold it to me as something all pg women would have yet nobody else seems to mention it.

[Boop33]

I ha d it at 36 weeks but your right no one had mentioned it before...........??

[Paradisefound]

At my local hospital if you are admitted for any reason you are swabbed, part of infection control.

[terilou87]

its the same at our local hospital too. everyone who is admitted is swabbed. iv never heard of having to be swabbed outside of hospital tho, maybe its just incase you have to be taken into hospital precaution kind of thing.

[Nicky1306]

Hi, yep it's standard where I live, I had it at my 20 wk scan, swab around the nostrils and then quick nip to the ladies to swab around my groin area x x

[Elasticsong]

Weirdly inconsistent then... odd.

Thanks for the replies though.

[QueenOfTheDrama]

I'd never heard about this before either but when I was admitted to hospital earlier in my pregnancy with dehydration (hyperemesis) I was tested for it, just a quick swab around the nostrils and groin. Nurse said it was to minimise the risk of infection to those already admitted and that everyone has it now. I think its a good idea actually.