To ask if anyone had an infection - mother and baby during birth and what it was?

[GoodTimesforaChangeSeetheLifeIveHad]

Hi all

I’m feeling very nervous about birth coming up in about three weeks now…we really struggled to have this baby, it took 5 years, miscarriage and two cycles of IVF. Now we are nearly here I’m worried we could lose her.

I have a son who is 10, when he was born we both had infections. Everything is a blur now, I can’t remember what kind of infection though I am going to ask the midwife next time I see her if they’ve kept the records. I had a temperature, it was an induction and membranes were ruptured about a day before he came out, long labour. He was born not breathing and blue and needed to be resuscitated. We were in for five days on IV antibiotic and he needed a lumber puncture due to suspected meningitis which was very scary and upsetting. The doctor confirmed his infection markers were up after two days of antibiotics but they finally went down at 5 days.

I’ve been recommended to have an induction again due to IVF pregnancy, I’m fine with that but I’m so scared about infection…is there anything I can do to prevent it? Can I ask for IV antibiotics during birth so that baby doesn’t get an infection? I’m really scared the same thing will happen again if not worse. I am very grateful that my son got the antibiotics he needed so quickly as it could have been so much worse. But I just want to do anything I can to prevent infection and the same thing from happening again….

Does anyone have a similar first birth experience and different outcome for second birth?

Both I and my baby did (IVF pregnancy too!). I don’t know what the infection was, or can’t remember; it was all a bit hazy, but she was on antibiotics for 5 days and me 3 I think. I do remember hearing the word “sepsis”, but I don’t think we had this. Perhaps they were trying to prevent it? It was all ok though.

Good luck!

I had Strep B, unknowingly, with my 2nd child. They got meningitis at a few weeks old. Next labour I had antibiotics, although it was a fast labour so we had to stay in a few days to get antibiotics for baby. I requested a test in my 3rd pregnancy. My sister says her area automatically test. Look at the Strep B website for info.

@DixonD Im sorry you went through the same birth experience but so lovely to hear you got your IVF miracle too. It will be such a relief just to get her home after all we go through with IVF as I’m sure you can relate to. Hope you’re having a snuggly time with your little bundle now x

@Chocolatedip Thank you for this info. How did you find out you had strep b with your second baby? Did they tell you at the birth or when you went in for your third pregnancy appts? I’m thinking this may have been what I had but I don’t know how I go about finding out. Pregnancy was 10 years ago so not sure if they’ll still have the notes. Though I will ask my midwife when I next see her 🤞

They keep notes for at least 20 years at the trust where I delivered. They should have them.

I asked to be checked. I was around 36 weeks or so.

Group b strep, both of us were really poorly, my son had meningococcal group b strep, im getting a private test this time.

I had heard about Group B strep and decided to get a test done myself, as they don't routinely offer them. I discussed it with my midwife/GP (can't remember which) who to my surprise said yes, get it, they would if they were me. It cost about £40 and was very straightforward (swab test to send off) and quick results. I did test positive so they gave me IV antibiotics during labour - my baby was fine. Of course I have no way of knowing whether she'd have been affected if I hadn't had antibiotics, but it gave me peace of mind to be aware and that it was flagged up to the hospital. Useful information here: https://gbss.org.uk/info-support/group-b-strep-testing/ecm-test-where-how/

I also tested positive for GB strep with both DC. I only knew about it as a friend had a baby who was very ill with it post delivery. As PP’s have said, you have to pay to have it done privately (it’s a swab you do at home) then if you are positive, you will have IV antibiotics during labour. It’s very common and I really wish women were tested routinely for it before giving birth.

I had group b strep, I only found out once I read my notes - I knew I had antibiotics but didn't know why. My baby was thankfully fine. Definitely request your notes x

I'm not sure if I was lucky but I didn't have to pay to test in subsequent pregnancies, I had the swab done on the nhs

I had some kind of infection and high temperature caused like you by torn membranes and amniotic fluid getting contaminated or something like that. They covered me in wet towels during labour to help bring down temp. Baby was born big and healthy but had to stay in ICU in an incubator for 5 days just for obs. No further consequences.

Yes I did in my first pregnancy but no idea what it was. It wasn’t GBS though as I was tested for that and tested negative. Like other posters my memory of it is a bit hazy though I know there were antibiotics both IV and later pills. My second pregnancy was fine though, no infection for either of us.

@eachtigertires could still have been GBS. It comes and goes. Can test neg one day and pos the next.

My OB told me the lifecycle of GBS is around 5 weeks hence you have to test around 36 weeks ish. It’s a routine test that everyone takes where I live.