Would I be unreasonable to have another baby (after 1st was critically ill with GBS (Group B Strep))?

[winnieinpooh]

I was looking at baby photos of my DD (nearly 3) yesterday and it hit me that I'd really love to have another baby.

My DD is fine and healthy now, but was critically ill from septicemia caused by a GBS infection at two weeks old. I also had pre-eclampsia at 37 weeks and she was born by ELCS so I really don't know if I was a carrier or if she picked it up from someone else handling her - I guess that I'll never know.

When she recovered I read about GBS (see here if you want to read about it. I'd not heard much about it before DD was born) and realised how much of a lucky escape we had, that she had survived and had no lasting effects. Other parents have not been so lucky .

At the time, I thought we should just stick at one and not push our luck any further. The risks also increase if you've already had a child with GBS to 1 in 100 (it's about 1 in 1000 with no prior risk factor).

I'm 35 soon, and both DH and I would love another, but I'm scared.

Would I be unreasonable to try for another given that I carry an extra risk and I already have one DD? I'd hate to make another baby suffer/ die/ have long term problems.

Should I just stick with one to be on the safe side?

hi there,

well I had a baby who was diagnosed after birth with a heart condition, he spent 6 weeks in hospital and had to have a major operation. He is now 2.2 and very well and happy, though I'm still paranoid about him. I'm now 4 months pregnant with another one, even though having had one baby with a heart condition raises the risk of having another one. I hope that's not wrong. I guess you have to look at how big the risks are, 1 in 100 does not sound that big to me. I think that the average risk of being born with a heart condition is something like 1 in 100, with my history it might go up to 5 in 100 or so. But most of those are minor holes with sort themselves out, or if not conditions which can be sorted out, like my DS's. I dunno, life is a risk, and of course I'm doing everything in my power to keep DS and the next one healthy...

best of luck x

I'm very sorry to hear about your experience and I am glad DD came through it.
I tested positive for GBS when pregnant with DC4, had IV antibiotics during labour, and again with DC5. In your circumstances, no consultant should say no even if not tested positive again just to reassure you and be on the safe side. The threat of a lawsuit if anything happens to next baby is always a winner with a grumpy consultant.

I had this and passed it to my son, then had another and no one thought to give me antibiotics or test for it again, was actually in labour when they realised and all went mental, running around, shoving needles in me etc... horrendous, and then he picked it up too because of their negligence.

But I think the main thing is that if they are aware of it they can give you antibiotics all through- i was on 12 a day for about 2 months with eldest once they realised i had it-. I'm not too sure of it as no one told me a damn thing and it was only when I saw Kevin Websters child on Corrie die of it that it hit me how bloody close we were to potentially losing my 2 boys!

I'd seek medical advice, they'll know more (or they should!)