Group B Strep - anyone got tested?

[strangerjo]

I'm weighing up whether to get tested for group b strep. My midwife said the hospital won't do it so I'm considering going privately. If anyone did get tested, did you do the self-swab thing or go to a clinic?I can only find one clinic that does it in London and they need a gp referral.
Any thoughts much appreciated!

[LidikaLikes]

I had never even heard of GBS during my first pregnancy. Had a bit of a scare at 20 weeks in 2nd pregnancy - thought I was leaking waters. Had swab to check waters and they found GBS.

Had antibiotic tablets during pregnancy, IV during labour and DC was monitored for 48 hours. She was good solid baby 9lb, born at 41 weeks.

[May09Bump]

I did the self swab in my last pregnancy, it was positive and then the hospital made a big deal of it. Big stickers on the front of notes and antibiotic drip during labour. It's a disgrace that it's not part of the screening in pregnancy on the NHS, it can really affect babies health in the short and long term.

It's the best 30 pounds I've spent. I will be doing again next week with my second.

[booface]

I had it done privately as well and came up positive. I had the same antibiotic drip as May09Bump and was very pleased that knew I was positive. I woudl say go for it.

[Fjlb]

There's a group on fb that gives lots of advice on places to test. I knew I'd had it prior to getting pregnant. Midwife wouldn't test me as too early when I was pregnant, baby turned up at 34 weeks after 2 hour labour and was given iv antibiotics

[strangerjo]

Thanks everyone. I think I will pay privately for it.

[RugbyWidow7]

Definitely do it. I sent off for the test in my first two pregnancies, which came up negative. My friend was positive and was monitored - all fine. Another friend didn't test and turns out she was positive as her baby got an infection from her at birth and spent her first days in intensive care! I'll be testing in a few weeks again in this pregnancy.

[booface]

There is a website that might be helpful. GBSS.org.uk. But don't let worrying about it spoil your pregnancy. If you have it, and know about it, it really isn't a big deal as I and other on the thread have found out.

[LastOneDancing]

I've ordered a home test (by text!) That you pay £35 for when you send it off.

I was considering asking my MW if she would be able to take the swabs for me.
I'm a bit squeamish about doing the bum one - is it easy to do?

[firsttimemum15]

I self tested. You can buy the kit and ask if your drs will swap you. Some practices will and some may not. Those who perform the test may charge.

I did it for peace of mind after reading awful things. Beware though that there may be no guarantee that they get the drip into you in time anyway if you are positive.

Also it can show up and go at different times so I thought it could still show up after the test. I was negative and it set my mind at ease.

[Eastend2015]

Definitely intending to get it done later in pregnancy!

[Amazonmulu]

My friend was refused a test on the NHS but paid to have a private one. After that she was monitored and had iv anti-bacs during labour. All turned out OK for both of hers. Ive put it in my calendar to order the kit when I am at 35 weeks!

[Cnmorgan13]

My midwife told me that the test is only valid for that day, so if you're negative on the monday you could be positive on the Tuesday and visa Versa.

[diggerdigsdogs]

I think that's why you're supposed to test near the end of your pg Cnmorgan.

I was tested and found to be positive. It's routine in Aus. I was induced for various reasons, this being one of them, and DD was monitored for 48 hrs.

[LentilStew]

Cnm, that's not quite true. Or at least it doesn't change day to day. I was told that having it done at 37wks means it is highly likely to be the same result in labour. I had it done at the clinic and got the results a wk later.

[Cnmorgan13]

I thought she was trying to bs me. It is rediculous that it's not offered. Even at a cost

[firsttimemum15]

It's routinely available in Scotland

[SecretSpy]

I found out later I had been positive when DC1 was born (ie a year later when I obtained my notes ).

I chose not to test. Partly because of the result fluctuating and also because I knew I was likely to have a CS and we'd be in hospital for the first couple of days anyway.

I found the RCOG green top guidelines helpful when I was deciding, it suggests that the risk is higher if waters have been broken a long time, ,fever, or GBS in the urine. So I decided I'd only want antibiotics if one of those applied.

But it's individual choice on balancing the risks and benefits.

[SecretSpy]

I believe that the green top guidelines have been updated since then so the advice could have changed.

[SpottedLorax]

GBS is a difficult one. It's not as simple as demanding the NHS screen everyone.

A lot of people have it. You can test positive one day then negative a few days later. If you test positive you're putting yourself on that route of having an IV, which means you're less mobile, which means you're more likely to need interventions. Plus there are indications that giving antibiotics at birth uneccessarily is harmful too ( of course if you need them it's a different matter.)
The negative effects of that are pretty big, and to NICE it's not clear that the benefits of screening everyone outweigh that.
The argument is more nuanced than just slating the NHS for not screening.

[firsttimemum15]

I don't think people are slating it. Just questioning it. If it's routine in Scotland it should be in England too and the rest of the UK.

One gynaecologist I saw didn't see why it wasn't screened for. I guess it depends who you speak to.

[Salene]

Absolutely get it done, it can kill your baby.

Pay £35 over Internet for the home testing kit. It's a disgrace the NHS don't test for it.

I did it in last pregnacy and will again with this. It's just not worth the risk in my eyes

[Salene]

I live in Scotland and it's not availble by my health board (Grampian). You have to pay for for privately

[Roonerspism]

I can see both sides of the coin. At its most brutal, the NHS probably weighs up the small number of newborn deaths each year from GBS against the cost/hassle/implications of IV ABs. All well and good.

But if you are one of the people whose child dies from a completely preventative disease, then it's devastating.

Personally, I prefer to weigh these things up myself so I got tested and was positive and had the ABs. And I'm glad I did.

[Roonerspism]

Oh and it's definitely not widely available in Scotland.

[sodonewithit]

I live in Scotland and was tested somewhat reluctantly by my midwife in late pregnancy as I'd had thrush constantly for my whole pregnancy and I'd read this could be a sign I had GBS. She told me I was wrong but dis it anyway. I was positive and treated during labour. It did mean I was hooked to IV thru labour and was pretty immobile which hadn't been my plan. However baby was healthy which was all that mattered. Friend of my SIL wasn't tested and had it and her baby was very ill after birth. Get tested!