Group B strep - freaking out

[moonlightandstars]

I'm 9weeks pregnant. Last week I went to the doctors sure I had some sort of infection, she dipped my urine which came back fine and I also requested a swab to be on the safe side in case it was thrush.
Results came back today, Dr phoned to say I tested positive for Group B Strep. Prescribed me antibiotics but also said I'd need some during Labour because my baby could get infected!? And that can even cause very serious problems for the baby.

I'm freaking out!
Will the antibiotics prescribed not cure the infection now!? Why would I need more in Labour if I'm having some now?

I had this, and was given antibiotics during labour and we were both kept in for observation overnight. It’s good that it has been picked up now as your baby will be monitored to check that they are perfectly well before you leave the hospital.

Lots of information here. Now that you know you have Group B Strep, having antibiotics during labour will be an effective way to prevent it passing to the baby. https://gbss.org.uk/info-support/about-group-b-strep/what-is-group-b-strep/

Don't freak out! It's a very common bacteria present in around 40% of women.
They'll offer you ABs in labour, which if administered four hours before delivery will hugely reduce risk to the baby. However, if you don't manage to get them in time the risk is still really small, something like 1 in 400 IIRC. Of those babies who do get sick, around 10% are seriously affected. Look these stats up yourself though because it's been a few months since I researched this and, y'know, baby brain.
If it helps, many women who have it don't even know they have it, because they don't routinely screen, so actually you got lucky finding out, as now you'll be offered the ABs in labour. Try to view it as a positive that you know about it!

ABs now may or may not clear it from your vagina (but should ease the UTI symptoms). It comes and goes anyway, so may come back before labour. That's why they're offering ABs again then.

I'm really surprised they gave you anti bitoics to treat it now as the bacteria doesn't work like that and it lays dormant. I had group B strep and still carry it now. I was given anti biotics every 4 hours in labour and had a healthy baby boy.

PS the 1 in 400 statistic above includes babies who are premature or when waters break early etc (so higher risk babies basically). So if you reach full term and have an uncomplicated delivery the risk will be lower.

I have group b strep and i have had two babies.

For DD1, we didnt know i had GBS so i didnt have any antibiotics. She developed sepsis during my labour. She spent two weeks in the neonatal unit but is now nearly 3yrs old and has had no long term impacts. This is why they will give you antibiotics during your labour - to prevent sepsis, meningitis or pneumonia in your baby.

For DD2, i had antibiotics during labour and she did not develop any infection.

It is a good thing that you have found out as it means that the midwives can make sure you receive the right antibiotics. You should get a sticker to go on your notes (if you have paper notes) and just make sure you tell everyone when you go into labour so they know.

A pp has already linked to the GBSS charity - they are brilliant and have a helpline you can ring to ask questions as well.

Thank you everyone for your replies.

They have prescribed me antibiotics now because I have an active infection due to the bacteria which is causing odd cm, low abdominal pain and fever.

Hopefully everything will be okay then. The link sent in one of the comments is very useful & I appreciate all your time and comments on this post

I had a lot of swabs during pregnancy due to repeated thrush, and urine tests as had a few utis. Sometimes they would show group B strep, sometimes they wouldn't. My GP never even told me I found it at a later date when I looked through the results on my NHS app so told the midwives who put a sticker on my notes and told me as soon as labour starts to ring and go to hospital for IV antibiotics. I was told I could still go to the midwife led birth unit and have the IV antibiotics there but unfortunately due to other complications I was on the labour ward for a drip induction but I had the IV antibiotics and everything was fine
I was told any future pregnancies I would also have IV antibiotics just in case
My sister also had group B strep, she arrived at hospital too late for the IV antibiotics so her baby was monitored for 48 hours for any signs of infection, which there wasn't any

Group B strep is very common.

Look at the positives, It's a good thing it's been found and the antibiotics should keep baby safe at birth.