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Childbirth

Group B Strep - Should I be freaked out?

33 replies

Nats79 · 06/08/2008 20:59

Hi all

Have just received test results (opted to pay for them privately) that confirm I am positive for Group Strep B. TBH was expecting a negative so got a bit of a shock when was positive. I know all the stats that 30% women have it and the relatively small risk to the baby if you have antibiotics so don't know why I'm worried. The midwife didn't help when I got my results because she seemed to resent that I'd gone outside of the system just because I'd read about the option to do the test yourself. Can someone reassure me it's all going to be OK (or not!?)?

OP posts:

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SingingBear · 06/08/2008 21:52

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dinny · 06/08/2008 21:53

my mw told me last time it is very easy to get a false negative in the tests, think they are not very reliable, iirc

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Tangle · 07/08/2008 22:38

The test available on the NHS is unreliable and results in false -ves. The test available privately is more reliable but is more expensive.

If a newborn contracts GBS the consequences can be severe, as experience on this thread has shown. But that doesn't mean its common. There are risks to taking IV ABs and risks to not having them - all you can do is decide which set of risks you are more comfortable with, based on your personal risk factors and circumstances.

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LeonieD · 08/08/2008 06:29

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BabiesEverywhere · 08/08/2008 06:33

LeonieD,
Search mumsnet archives for group b strep and garlic. Garlic can clear the strep B colony prior to labour.

I tried it at 37 weeks and got a private test done at 38 weeks and it was negative. Hence I am labouring at home as I type

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dinny · 08/08/2008 08:21

Leonie, I have had two natural, active births (the seond labouring in a birthing pool) in hospital. I had to have IV antibiotics for GBS in the second labour and didn't affect my labour position at all, the mw just got them in (she held the bag) and then closed off the canula and I wasn't attached to anything.

also, I worried about getting thrush from the antibiotics as I always do if I have an oral course, but I didn't and nor did ds.

if you are having so many UTIs and they are strongly advising IV antibiotics, you would be wise to heed their advice IMO. Good luck.

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LeonieD · 08/08/2008 09:08

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pudding25 · 08/08/2008 21:08

Others have said this but make sure you cause a fuss when you get to the hospital about getting th antibiotics. My friend had strep b and they mcuked her around so much that there was no time to give her 2 lots of the antibiotics. The baby was fine but had to be kept in an extra night for observation and she was really pissed off and stressed out by it all.