Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Strep B

209 replies

MaggieW · 17/10/2002 21:11

I carry strep b and am pregnant. Dr's are all saying I'll need to be on a intravenous drip for antibiotics as soon as I go into labour. While I don't want to jeopardise or risk my baby, has anyone had any experience where they've worked around it another way please? I also want ot know if an intrav will slow down labour as had very quick one last time and would like a repeat performance! Thanks.

OP posts:
suedonim · 08/05/2003 15:28

Drib, I've no experience of this, but I just want to say how sorry I am that you lost your little boy in such awful circumstances.

bunny2 · 08/05/2003 21:57

Drib, I am so sorry for you. I cannot begin to imagine your pain.

There are a number of us here on Mumsnet who are well aware of Group B strep and alarmed with the medical professions ignorance. I suppose we have to shout louder. This cause is definately in need of some heavy publicity. Perhaps we should lobby our MPs to get something done (dont know the first thing about starting a campaign, does anyone else have any experience?)

Gilli · 08/05/2003 23:17

Drib - I feel so much for you and your husband's pain. Please keep posting as you will find so much support on Mumsnet, and hope and support for the future. My thoughts and love are with you in your sadness.

mieow · 09/05/2003 11:03

Sorry to hear your sad news.
My DD had Group B strep infection but we were not told till she was 2 years and had a Child Developement check as she has Cerebral Palsy.

Marina · 09/05/2003 11:44

Drib, so very sorry to hear of yet another little life needlessly lost to Strep B. I too cannot understand why this condition is routinely screened for the in the US and not in this country. In consequence their infection rate at birth is a fraction of ours.
I lost a baby son at 22 weeks last year, not from Strep B as far as I know, and can imagine a little of how you are feeling. There are many of us on here who have been through something similar, or who have friends who have, so post as much as you feel you want to about Charlie or about anything. A warm welcome to Mumsnet, you will find friendship and support here.
I hope you have been getting some support from the hospital or your GP in the aftermath of your bereavement - and that they are taking your legitimate concerns about why Charlie was not diagnosed sooner, seriously. Friends in a similar position to you have found the Group B Strep Organisation very supportive and I have found a lot of friendship and help in my local SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society) branch. Let me know if you want web links to either of these groups.

21stcenturygirl · 09/05/2003 13:35

Can I just let everyone know, as a member of Group B Strep Support things have changed! I attended the AGM last November and we were astonished that no Lab in the UK was able to provide private testing for Group B Strep. We asked the GBS committee to take this on board. In their latest newsletter, I am pleased to announce that a lab is now able to offer this test around 36/38 weeks for just £18. Contact GBSS and they will give you instructions of how to obtain this test.

Also, can I just make everyone aware that it is so very important that everyone who picks up a newborn baby washes there hands thoroughly as late-onset GBS can occur through poor hygiene.

Drib · 11/05/2003 14:23

Thanks everyone for your lovely messages of support. It really is lovely to have that support there and to know sometimes you are not the only one going through the simular sort of pain.
Bunny 2 that would be a great idea to start a campaign going, I know that some Mums in America done something simular and they got some great results.
Would anybody else be interested??
We really need to start doing something to get the goverment to start taking notice of Strep B and I know that I will do all I possibly can to raise awareness in this country.
Let me know if you all would be interested in doing something...the more we shout about this the more something will get done.
We owe it to all the little angels that have either passed away with this or had it at some point in there life.

bunny2 · 11/05/2003 14:53

Drib, I would be interested in pushing for more awareness, have no idea how to start though. I will have a think over the next few days.

21stcenturygirl - I remember all the people holding and touching my newborn. I didnt even think of asking them to wash their hands.

Drib · 11/05/2003 20:29

Bunny 2, I will think too and ask around....
I will let you know.
Take Care.

21stcenturygirl · 12/05/2003 10:03

Bunny2 and Drib - that's exactly what the Group B Strep Support Group do and that's why I joined them. All I wanted to do was raise awareness and their main priority is to do this. PLEASE, PLEASE join them (£12 a year!) and come to the AGM. They will give you leaflets/car stickers which you can then circulate amongst your friends/doctor's surgeries/hospitals. The more people that know about this common infection the better.

Drib · 12/05/2003 18:15

Thanks 21st century girl, I have recently only joined the gbs support group and would like to receive leaflets etc...certainly a good way to raise awareness.
Thanks!!

bunny2 · 12/05/2003 19:20

I'm going to look at the website now. I'm sure I will join.

21stcenturygirl · 13/05/2003 13:50

Drib - just give Jane a call and she'll pop some leaflets in the post to you.

Bunny - join today - it's well worth it and their newsletters are so informative and interesting.

Maybe I'll see you both at the AGM later on in the year.

Lulu41 · 14/05/2003 12:34

After reading a leaflet re: Strep B in the waiting area of my ante natal department I asked the midwife what my hospital's policy was as in my last pregnancy they were doing research and I volunteered for a high vaginal swab and everything was OK. Their policy is now just to keep an eye on women and if they have an unusual discharge then they may test them. I am now a bit concerned at this as there appears to be no standard test for this and after reading this thread and all the terrible things some of you have been through. Can I insist of some sort of testing or am I just over reacting?

Marina · 14/05/2003 13:09

Lulu, apart from the people on Mumsnet who have shared their Strep B experiences with us I know one person who lost a much-wanted grandchild to Strep B at 38 weeks this year. Even with no previous history of Strep B, because of my own loss last year I will be insisting on a swab at 38 weeks and another when I go into labour. You insist on yours too if you want one - this is a PREVENTABLE cause of neonatal mortality.

pie · 14/05/2003 13:16

I went to see my GP on Monday, who diagnosed a UTI and thrush. She took a vaginal swab, I was wondering if Strep B would show up automatically in such a swab, as I didn't see her write that on the specimen form.

Would she be looking for this to have taken the swab anyway.

After reading the really sad tales in this thread I am gettin quite worried!

The best of luck to you for the future Drib.

bells2 · 14/05/2003 16:45

Marina, my pregnancy book says a swab should be done at 28 weeks - I that it that that's wrong and it should actually be 38?

Marina · 14/05/2003 17:15

Not sure Bells, maybe someone on this thread who is in touch with GBSS might confirm? I think that one of the many problems with Strep B is that you can test positive, be treated successfully with antibiotics and then have it recur again just when it is dangerous. I am due a 28 week work-up next week at the clinic and will ask about it specifically.

pie · 14/05/2003 18:05

I've read that you will be treated for Strep B at any stage of your pregnancy when it is detected, you will then still get the IV antiobiotics during labour as it can linger and/or reoccur.

In America they routinely test around 35 weeks.

Marina · 14/05/2003 18:27

Thanks Pie - I knew it was tested for later than 28 weeks somewhere!

21stcenturygirl · 15/05/2003 11:50

The swab that is routinely offered by GPs and Hospitals is ONLY 50% accurate. I had the swab that you are all going to have/have had and I received a Negative result but I found out later(when by DD was 4 months) that this is only 50% accurate! I then joined GBSS as I was horrified that the medical profession put my baby's health at risk.

Please ladies, please, please have the new test done - it is only £18. The medical profession are only notified of this new test via the GBSS mailshots when they eventually get on to their desks. They, therefore, may not be aware of it. The new test is the same one that the Americans now offer women routinely.

If any of you need any information, please give the GBSS a call - there are always willing to talk at any time.

beanette · 17/05/2003 13:01

Hello to you all,
I am Dribs Mum and Nana to Charlie, whom died of GBS only 10 weeks ago.
I find this goverments attitude to GBS unexceptable, I did not know anything about this infection until after Charlies passing when one of the nurses at the hospital let slip about Strep B and acted as if though she was forbiden to talk about it. Alarm bells rang and at first I was not going to tell Drib about Strep B as I felt it would upset her but after getting facts from the GBSS I was amazed to see to see how many other people had been through the same and it came to me after after reading the symtoms that Charlie had that he passed away with Strep b.
I imediately told Drib as I wanted her to be prepared for what the doctors said about it so she wouldnt be fobbed off in any way.
Drib and I will fight throught the GBSS charity to raise funds and especially awareness about this infection and If you see Two manic women giving out GBSS leaflets on the street then its sure to be us!! Im currentely doing a sponsered slim so anybody interested in helping raising funds and would like to help let me know. Take care to you all and dont be frightened to ask about GBS to healthcare professionals because after all its your babys health that comes first. Beanette.

robinw · 17/05/2003 19:41

message withdrawn

robinw · 18/05/2003 16:26

message withdrawn

pie · 19/05/2003 15:16

I have just had the results back of my swab and was told it was all clear. After reading on this thread that the test is only 50% accurate should I go back for another one nearer my due date?

I read on the website posted that there is a more accurate test available for £18 would I have to go to my GP and ask her to request it, or are there private clinics?

Or should I just accept the results of the swab?