I have GBS - really worried

[dinny]

Just found out today I am a carrier. So no homebirth for me Feel so scared for my baby - what if the IV antibiotics in labour don't work?
Also, I really want a natural birth - does this treatment plan mean intervention is likely?
I've looked on the GBSS site but just need some words of wisdom from the people on here. Thanks, Dinny

Dinny, I had GBS with my first and had IV antibiotics during labour. It was absolutely no problem and everything turned out fine. The risk for your baby acquiring it are extremely small if you have the antibiotics.

Hope the birth goes well.

Dinny, like PC said, you need to do the test between 35-37 weeks to determine if you should have the antibiotics.

I carry GBS and had iv antibiotics when ds was born. The hospital were perhaps over-cautious and insisted on ds having iv antibiotics for 5 days following his birth. It wasnt the best start for him and I am sure it became a factor in my failure to breastfeed him. I have been told this time around (due Nov) that I will need iv antibiotics again and then they will closely monitor the baby for 48 hours for signs of infection. Only if infection is indicated will they give him/her antibiotics.

I would love a homebirth or at a small local unit but I have been told this isnt possible so I'll be at a big hospital too. Looking on the bright side, GBS does kill babies and we are amongst the lucky few who are aware we carry it therefore we can take preventative action. Many women are not aware of it and do pass it on to their babies.

Had antibiotics in labour - but labour was so fast that I didn't get the full dose! I had a natural birth & didn't even notice the antibiotic drip! Why can't you have a home birth? if you don't mind me asking

But isn't the test unreliable (ie only detects 50% of cases). I thought once you have it they assume you will have it at delivery. Will check though - thanks, guys.

dinny, I think there is a test you can pay for (@£18) and it is meant to be very accurate. The test offered by the NHS is pretty useless though. The GBS website should have details of the private test.

have you searched this site for GBS threads? there are a few

Bunny2, how did it affect your baby and how did it affect not bfing? I am already worried about bfing (didn't work out with pre-term dd1) and So want it to happen this time.

Fairyprincess, apparently you can't have IV antibios at home in case of allergic recation. And I think there may have to be a paed at delivery? Not sure about that though.

Thanks Bunny2 - you reminded me that dd had antibiotics for 4 days afterwards.

Antibiotics can cause thrush & dd did have this during week 3. Thrush can transmit to the breast so it can be useful to look out for white spots on nipple or in baby's mouth or on bottom. Sometimes thrush can cause sore nipples or there can be breast pain felt any time - not just when feeding. Thrush can be sorted with an antifungal medication from doctor. Keep a look out for thrush so that if it appears you can get it treated quickly. Best wishes

God, I hadn't thought of that. And presumably any antibiotics the baby has after delivery is IV? Do they have to be in SCBU for that?

Did you have any signs you had GBS? I had thrush that wouldn't go away and mw wanted to rule out GBS.... Quite glad I got a positive, given how unreliable the test is, iykwim.

See what you mean about the allergic reaction precaution.
If you wanted to you could always call an nct breastfeeding counsellor before the birth to get supportive suggestions. I think the number is on the nct website.

Luckily ds didnt get thrush. He just was not interested in feeding and wouldnt latch on. After a week I gave in and used a bottle. I had been determined to bf due to lots of family allergies but he seemed very sleepy and lethargic,. I have always suspected the antibiotics might have been partly to blame but I might be wrong.

Thanks, Fairyprincess. I am actually seeing a bf counsellor tomorrow (at the hosp) so will ask her advice.

Bunny2, sounds like my dd1. Sorry it didn't work out for you. x

My dd had an access point in her hand which was covered with bandage to protect it. It didn't cause any probs at all. I had to stretch her clothes to go over. I had dd in my room with me and co-slept with her (paying attention to all the advice on safe sleeping with baby) I stayed 5 days because of other medical probs - not related to gbs. Do you always have gbs or does it come and go? I only had it for my last dd not my others.

Jaundice can cause newborn to be sleepy & lathergic. My dds had this - but weren't sleepy at all! If your baby doesn't wake for feeds wake him/her up so that your milk supply is stimulated by frequent feeds. Milk comes in around days 3-5 after birth so lots of suckling will help milk production get going. Ask the bfc for info on diff bf positions as well. Wishing you all the best with this.

Thanks, Fairyprincess.

Think once you have tested positive for GBS they always treat you as a carrier in subsequent pregnancies.

Thanks, Alexsmum.

Hi (again!) Podmog - I read somewhere the other day (think on Mumsnet thread) about a mother who managed to get GBS on her breasts (they found it when swabbing for thrush). They wouldn't let her feed and she had to dry her milk up. Just for something else to panic about I am now worried this will happen. Is this rare, do you think?