Homebirth and Strep B

[BadHair]

I'm not pg or anything, but one day would like another baby. But, when ds2 was on the way I found out I was a Strep B carrier, and because of this I needed intravenous antibiotics during labour (didn't actually have them as he arrived so quickly, but that's another story). After a tough labour with ds1 I wanted a hospital birth anyway so didn't mind that I was advised to go in.
If (big IF) I do have another baby I would definitely like to have him/her at home. But I've heard conflicting advice about whether or not I could - some say that yes I can but I need to find a midwife who'll give IV antibiotics, and some say no I can't and would have to have baby in hospital.
Are there any Strep B carriers out there who've had planned homebirths, and was it easy to find a midwife?

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BadHair I carry Strept B too. I found out during labour with my DS1. When pg with DS2 I really wanted a homebirth, unfortunately the midwives with my area were not trained to give the antibiotics and I was told my only option was to investigate the possibility of having a Dr on call come out and administer the antibiotics. I decided it was a risk I didn't want to take (not to mention added hassle). However I have heard that in some areas it is not a problem to have a midwife administer your antibiotics. I suppose it would just be a case of finding out what the procedure is in your local area.

Like you my DS2 arrived quickly and although I received one shot of antibiotics they were given so close to delivery that I doubt whether they would have made any difference.

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secur have a look at Strep B Support . I think they have all the details on this and the statistics regarding the risks. With my DS2 the drugs were not given in enough time (despite my being admitted in plenty of time but them deciding they would wait until things took off, which they did at high speed) but he was not given IV antibiotics after labour. I was told however that I should not be taking him home as they wanted to monitor him for his first few days, I'm afraid I was very naughty and took him home the same day as giving birth assuring them I would be back in a flash if something wasn't right with him.

Have no idea but saw a case on Babes in the Wood (discovery health) where the lady wasn't allowed to have her baby at the Birthing Unit in Hythe but had to have it in hospital as she had Strep B!!

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Not sure that I would say its extreme - they had a thing on GMTV a while back and a ladies baby had died and she was trying to raise awareness so it did not affect other mothers to such an extent - it certainly made me more aware and after seeing the website I have to say that if I had strep B I would make sure I got treatment!!

Each to their own though I suppose!!

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No they couldn't apparently at the birthing centre they do not have the facilities for that!!

I was tested with DD - not sure I have to be again - I do think though that it is a small sacrifice to make for a healthy baby!!

Oh - we were part of a group that were used for a clinical trial thats why I was tested - 2 or 3 other things we were tested for which were not routine - will try and dig out notes to see what they were.

Secur: yes, I am afraid DS was put on Anti-biotics at birth because I was found to be positive. I think in our area, they only test if your waters have broken more than 24 hours before birth.
Because my mw didn't test until AGES after my waters had broken, and I was in labour for ages, the swab didn't come back until after DS was born. They insisted that he go on these anti-biotics, and I was most reluctant until my GP told me that she had seen babies 'just snuff it' v quickly once infection becomes apparant. I had to keep him in hospital for 5 days, and the drugs were IV, but he wasn't on a drip. They put a canula in his hand and I had to take him down to the SBCU twice a day for the drugs to be put in. It was horrid, but I was given to understand that if you leave it until the infection is apparant in a new born it may be too late to avoid damage - or worse.

The whole thing seems v confusing, and I think as attention to Strep B is a fairly recent thing, many different policies and approaches are held in different NHS trusts.

Secur, and I THINK the length of labour is highly salienbt to the risk to the baby, so if Demented's baby was born after a short labour, her baby was not at such a high risk as mine, since my waters had broken 42 hours before the birth.

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Oh right - get it now - I think for the £18 fee I would get tested to me its a small price to pay for peice of mind and a healthy baby!!

These factors increase the risk 3 fold if the infection is present

where labour or membrane rupture is preterm (prior to 37 completed weeks of pregnancy);
where there is prolonged rupture of membranes (more than 18-24 hours before delivery; and
where the pregnant woman has a raised temperature (37.8°C or higher) during labour*.

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secur, in the past I have e-mailed the organisers of the support group direct and they were very helpful, may be an idea if you are still concerned.

Sort of similar to what Twinkie saw, I wasn't allowed to have either of my babies in the Midwife Led Unit in our hospital and had to have them in the Obstetric Unit because of Strep B.

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