Labour with Group B Strep

[laura1306]

Been told today I have group B strep, Im 34 weeks and terrified now. They told me I'd be on a drip of antibiotics through labour and the risks of my boy becoming ill from passing through the birth canal. I have next to no support or understanding from my partner so would really like to hear some real life stories and just reach out to some people who understand.

It’ll be ok - they’ve picked it up. Hence it’ll be treated and everything will be ok. The danger is when a woman has strep b but doesn’t know about it.

Second what PP has said. The risk is only there when they don't know about it.

Hi op, my group b strephad been put in my notes and neither the gp or midwife picked it up! It was thelabour ward staff who saw thenotes and realised. I was immediately put on a drip and told to lay back,relax and keep that baby in for at least 3 hours. Baby erred on side of caution and stayed in for a loooong time

Seriously allwasfine, staff are aware so will have things in handx

I had it. From memory I needed a bag of antibiotics every 4 hours?? So not continuously hooked up. Sounds scary but at least they've identified it and baby will be safe.

I had this and was worried. However, it was all fine. I had anti-biotics during labour - and I believe, but can’t remember properly, afterwards. I also remember that they said that if my waters burst I had to go straight into hospital. But as it was I was induced one evening and went in the next morning. Gave birth in the evening.
I would recommend that you speak to your midwife about this as she will explain it all fat better than me. I just wanted to say that I understand how you’re feeling and that my experience was absolutely fine. I’m sorry that you’re worried, but it’s good they know about it remember. Good luck.

I've had it in both pregnancies and honestly, now you've got it in your notes, it will be fine.

There is only a risk that it will pass to your baby during the birth, and those risks are still quite low.

Pregnancy 1 - anti biotics during labour. I think the only complication is that I had to have a cannula in my hand (not sure whether that was a group b stret thing or a twin thing to keep the labour going) so it might not be standard procedure.

Pregnancy 2 - I was already quite dilated by the time I got to hospital (6-7cm) and my waters went as soon as I arrived so there wasn't time for antibiotics - they thought I'd deliver within 2 hours. The standard procedure in those circumstances was to keep us both in for 24 hours (I delivered at 3am and they would have let me home later that morning otherwise) so they could monitor us both. It was all fine.

Had it during my second pregnancy. My waters burst in the middle of week 37 and I had to go straight into hospital where they put me on a drip. My DD came quickly so I didn’t get the sufficient Dosis of antibiotics. As a result she had to get antibiotics herself for 2 or 3 days. She was perfectly fine at the birth and they then had to put a canula into her arm so that they could administer the antibiotics. They would inject them through the canula every 12 hours or so. This meant we had to stay at the hospital for a few days.
It wasn’t the end of the world. She didn’t get sick and there were loads of babies in the queue for antibiotics every night, it felt like a production line! What I am trying to say this was all a routine procedure..
They put a sticker on the front cover of my maternity notes to make it obvious I had it.
Hope it all goes well for you.

I had it but nobody knew until after I had given birth as test results didn't come back in time. Just had to stay in few days longer for obs but everything was ok.

Yep had this with dc. Had antibiotics every four hours but was only hooked onto a drip long enough to administer them, not continuously. It'll be fine as they've picked it up early.

So glad everybody is so positive. The only relief I'm getting from my worrying is knowing that they've found it and thank goodness for that! I'm due to be induced as I have obstetric Cholestasis, SPD and a very large baby but hopefully that won't make a difference, if anything it might make it easier and more controlled with giving me the antibiotics. I just panicked because it sounds so scary and I don't would hate myself if anything went wrong!

Mine wastarted only detected after deliveryou and discharge home...baby swabbed and a little around I think ...not treated...baby fine...

I had group b strep, my waters went at the hospital they gave me anti biotics through iv I think i had 4 doses but can't remember due to the pain, baby was born healthy no problems!! They should supply you with stickers that you can stick on your notes! I stuck one on my notes and one on my birth plan, otherwise write on your notes " strep b alert " or "please offer anti biotics I have strep b " there is a help line number you can call as well, hope this helps xx

I had it with my first and gave birth so fast, they didn't have time to get the antibiotics in me by IV before he was born. All it meant for us was that we stayed in for 48 hours rather than 24 whilst LO was given the antibiotics and monitored, and he was grand. Don't panic - they know it's there so they can treat it effectively, and get it all sorted out. Good luck with the birth, and congratulations!