Strep B

[MaggieW]

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.

Butterflymum, I absolutely agree with you that mum-power can be immensely effective. If each one of us educates our own GP practice, our midwife, our obstetrician and our health visitor plus our pregnant friends, then that's increased understanding and knowledge about GBS that they'll have and, hopefully, pass on to others. Who knows, maybe one GBS infection will be prevented as a result - and that's got to be good for not only that baby, but his/her parents too! GBSS (www.gbss.org.uk) provided me with loads of leaflets and posters to give to my health professionals (some duck when they see me!), and everytime I visit my GP I make sure the poster is up on the wall and the leaflets are in the waiting room. It's something I CAN do - and just maybe this grass-roots up approach will help influence UK policy eventually.

I'll get off my soap box now but, as you can tell, it's something I feel really passionate about!

Oops - I know I'm passionate about this, but I didn't intend to post twice. Sorry!

Way to go!, JaneEliz. Oh for another hundred or so like you - keep up the excellent work (note: I do realise that the way JaneEliz promotes GBS is not necessarily the most suitable way for others - each of us has our own strengths and abilities - if other mums or dads can promote GBS awareness in any way, shape or form then that is excellent too.)

Me again - I apologise in advance to anyone who is becoming bored by my posting on this topic but I really feel the issue is an important one.

I read that Alan Millburn (think that's right) has been replaced as Health Secretary by Dr John Reid. Well, 'new broom' and all that, I have decided to write to him (Dr Reid) about Strep B and sent the following by email this evening:

"Firstly, may I congratulate you on your new post as Health Secretary.

It is in this capacity, that I hope you will be able to help.

I am writing to you as a former constituent and as a mum who carries Strep B. In your new capacity as Health Secretary, I would ask that you give consideration to the issues surrounding testing in pregnancy for Group B Strep and treatment in labour for mums with known risk factors.

David Cameron, MP has recently laid down an EDM (1211)covering these issues and this is receiving a good number of signatures from fellow MP's. I understand (but please correct me if this is not the case) that members of the government are not allowed to sign such motions, however, I do feel it is important to draw the matter to your attention and herewith copy the details:

"That this House notes that an estimated 3,500 mothers in the UK in the last five years have suffered the pain and trauma of their baby developing life-threatening Group B Streptococcal (GBS) infections, including septicaemia, pneumonia and meningitis; further notes that approximately 500 of these sick babies have died, and a further 200 of the survivors have been left with consequences including brain damage; recognises that GBS infections and deaths can be drastically reduced by adopting screening programmes for all pregnant women and taking precautionary action, usually giving intravenous anti-biotics during labour to women found to carry GBS and those with recognised risk factors; understands that screening programmes and other measures have been adopted and found to work in other European countries and the US; and calls on the Government to investigate instigating similar schemes in the UK as a matter of urgency."

It would be much appreciated if, as Health Secretary, you could give some attention to these issues and help in anyway you can to give mums in the United Kingdom the support and care they require and, indeed, deserve. Yes, I realise that there are many areas in ante-natal testing that are not covered due to lack of funding etc., but this is one area in which we are falling behind our European counterparts and for which there is a lot of good research into the benefits of testing and treatment.

Once again, I seek your help and support for this important issue.

Thanking you, in anticipation, for your attention to same."

Well, he may not even reply but I think it is worth the try and if nothing else, hopefully he will be made aware of the issue. Who knows, he may even be more interested than his predecessor was - we can but hope!

butterflymum, keep at it! A speaker at the NCT conference today quoted a midwife who said to him 'If you think you are too small to make a noise, you have never shared a bed with a mosquito'

Thanks for that, SueW! Nice to know we can still share a laugh even in the midst of a fairly serious issue.

For those of you who are interested in reading articles on Strep B, the GBSS support group have just notified members of a good one that has appeared on todays Times Online:

www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,172-716796,00.html .

Some of you may not be aware of this and may be interested in reading it.

EDM signatures rising well - now stand at 151

Mums must be getting the message to their MP's - lets hope they listen and don't just sign in the hope that the issue will go away.

Anyone out there who would like to help, please check via the GBSS site links and find out if your MP has signed - if not, urge them to do so.

Thanks again.

Good news about the EDM signatures.
My M.P is yet to sign so Im on a mission now to track him down..unlucky for him that I know where he lives!!! Ha!

Hope you manage to get him Drib.

I am still waiting for my MP to sign.

Signatures seem to be hovering around 151/152.

Lots,lots,lots,lots,lots more needed - anyone else out there willing to chase up their MP (pleaseeee..........)?

It's on the move again - signatures now up to 170!!

Let's hope the Government themselves, start to take notice soon.

There are still mums out there not getting adequate testing and/or treatment. Help change this - please!

Butterflymum, did you know you were a carrier of GBS before you had your children??? Only me and my Husband are thinking of starting again for another child, but Im worried about GBS striking again.
I know that all the precautions will be in place for our next one but I cant help but worry that I will miss the signs of GBS in my next baby.
Drib x

Drib

I only found out After son number 2 was born. I had a false labour a few days before his birth and some swabs were taken. I think it was then on the day he was born or day after, that I was told he 'needed a course of antibiotics as a precaution - something had shown up on my tests and that it could pass to baby '. It was on about day four, when I saw my consultant, that I discovered what the 'something'was.

He (consultant) said I had Strep B and that baby had been given antibiotics as a precaution because it could sometimes crossover at birth. The full possible effects were not explained. I was told that this would be recorded on my notes but that if I had subsequent pregnancies I should remember to bring it to the GP/Midwife/Hospitals attention - also, that I would probably require antibiotics during a subsequent labour.

I found out what I could about Strep B afterwards but (even though I worked within Health Service at time), info was limited. I did learn that a baby could die, or have other illness shortly after birth, if strep b was passed on during labour/birth.

Fastforward 2 years, pregnant with number 3 son, I repeatedly mentioned my 'Strep B' status throughout my ante-natal appointments. Was told 'not to worry - they would keep an eye on things'. Really, no one seemed overly concerned.
I asked again, my husband and I recall, during labour/birth.

I was not, as far as we are aware, given intravenous antibiotics. Thankfully, very thankfully, my son was born and there were no complications or signs of infection.

This was one year ago. To be honest, I did not give too much more attention to the issue until reading this thread on mumsnet - this is when I reeled back in shock at the widespread 'little concern given' to this issue. The widespread 'lack of testing' and 'lack of treatment'. My understanding of all the issues has increased dramatically over these past weeks and I suppose I am a bit like a '(wo)man with a mission' - I feel so strongly that others should not go through what we have and need educated etc.

Others need to know - I was lucky - you Drib were not. Many, many more are completely unaware.

Drib, to answer your own question, I think that with the support of GBSS and with the knowledge that, sadly, you have had to gain, you are now best placed to indeed go forward into another pregnancy (we were not aware of GBSS group until recently). Because of your first experience, I would truly hope that testing/treatment would automatically be offered this time round. You would no doubt be able to demand this anyhow, under the circumstances. If you both feel the time is right, and I know it is a hard decision, then trust your instincts. Charlie will always be your son. You will not be 'replacing' him but merely adding a brother or sister. Charlie has enabled you to hopefully prevent other babies from dying or being ill from strep b by campaigning and letting people know his story - that is his legacy. Our decision to go ahead was not armed with so much knowledge - to an extent this probably meant we did not face such a dilemma - but it was 'right' if you understand what I mean.

Best wishes and thank you for sharing what you did earlier in this post - I would not be taking action now if I had not read your story!

Butterflymum, Many thanks for that!!!

You are an amazing person and If it wasnt for people like you then GBS would proberbly go by without a mention.
I cant believe they did not give you antibiotics during the birth of your 3rd child. The 'health profesionals' just seems to fob off GBS as another infection and because ONLY 200 babies die of this every year they just dont seem bothered about looking into it.
I just wish I could let them swap lives with me for the day!

We have an appointment with our consultant on Thursday to see what steps they will take for my care during our next pregnancy.
Thanks to GBSS im armed with facts about GBS and hopefully we will get the care we request!
I will let you know how we get on.

Butterflymum, I really appreciate your advise and support. Thank you.

Drib xxxxx

Can I ask what is probably a stupid question ...?

When I was 36 weeks pregnant with dd2 my waters broke prematurely and I went in to labour, and had dd later that day.

At some point the midwife took a vaginal swab - presume this was during labour, and they gave me oral antibiotics, starting after the birth, saying I was carrying something without knowing - I didn't ask what at the time, but I'm sure she said it was what gave you a sore throat ?? Can't remenber now, wish I could.

They said they took a swab as my waters had broken early, and there was sometimes a link between this and an infection ?

Is this likely to be GBS or are there other things similar?

Hope this doesn't sound too stupid

Yes it was probably Strep B, JaneyT. People with more experience of this condition will no doubt post more authoritatively in due course but it sounds as though you received the right care at the right time, ie that they took that swab from you. I am guessing that they also tested dd2 and that she suffered no ill-effects either? Do hope so.

marina - thanks for replying....don't remember them testing dd2 - would that have been a blood test?

She is fine by the way, but does it mean you always carry gbs ? As we may want another baby at some point ?

Not sure about how they would have tested dd2, JaneyT - probably a blood test.
I am at antenatal refresher classes at the minute and Group B Strep Support sent a fantastic, informative pack to the teacher by return of post when one of the other mums raised it as an issue. They are such a good campaigning organisation, do get in touch with them. They will be able to advise you, but my understanding is that because you previously had Strep B in pregnancy, you will need to be monitored carefully during subsequent pregnancies and births.

Hi Janey T

If it was Strep B, antibiotics should have been given during labour or, as in my case, if the results came back after the birth, they should have given them to baby as a precaution.

Not really sure why they were given to you, as Strep B will not normally cause you personally any problem - just baby.

If you have not yet done so, do please read more of this thread and do go to the GBSS website. Jane Plumb will give you any help/info you may require.

You should try to ensure that if you do have a future pregnancy, that you request to be tested around 35/37 weeks (although if you read my story, this is not always achieved).

Gain as much info as possible - I would suggest you should even check with the hospital if indeed you did have Strep B. The medical secretary attached to your consultant should be able to check this out for you or ask your midwife. It is in your best interest to know this.

Hope this helps.

Take care.

ps for Drib

Drib - it is mums like you who are doing an exceptional job, I am doing very little in comparison. Email me via the links if you wish to chat.

Forgot to say, Janey.

Yes you will be a carrier - however, it may or may not be 'active' during a subsequent pregnancy

• hence reason for test.

HTH

butterflymum - thanks - I have just read some info on the gbs website Marina suggested - I will definately find out if it was strep b - they definately didn't give dd2 any antibiotics.

Having read the leaflet it mentions 'grunting' as one of the signs of gbs infection in newborns - this concerns me now as dd2 was doing this from birth - and the paeds did seem concerned about this and her rate of breathing.

However as dd2 is now 2 I presume any danger has long since passed, but will now chase hospital to find out what I had.

Help! I am a b strep carrier and I want a homebirth!
Strep B was discovered through tests on my daughter who had a haemorrage at birth. Although it was not related to Strep B, I now know I am a carrier. Is There an alternative to IV antibiotics (i.e. by mouth?)because I would love to have a home birth like I did for my other two children.
Many Thanks for any info!

Antibiotics are not absorbed properly by mouth when you are in labour. The treatment is effective when given intravenously - this s not normally recommended in a homebirth situation incase of allergic reaction. Could you consider a birthing unit that would give you a homely atmosphere and instant transfer back home. IV antibiotics are your choice of course - you could opt not to have them but you would then be taking quite a risk IMO.

Frederique, I can only echo what mears has said.

If needed, it really would be best that you have intravenous antibiotics.

Have you read nearer the start of this thread where some of the other mums discuss the same situation - ie being Strep B carriers and wanting a home birth?

Also, as I have said before, do try and speak with Jane at GBSS. She will guide you as best she can and give you all available info to help with the decision you have to make.

And remember, if your region do not test for Strep B as standard at around 35/37 weeks (as a carrier already, it may be active or inactive this time round), you can request a private test (details via GBSS website), at around £18 cost (a health professional does still need to make the request on your behalf though).

Hopefully you will now be able, at least, to make a more informed decision, even if unfortunately, it does not turn out to be a homebirth.

Either way, do take care and best wishes - you are one of the lucky ones really, you know about the condition and can make an informed choice.
Sadly, many are still unaware. This is what needs to change.

Thank You for your responses. I will check the Website you suggest. Incidentally, I went to my antenatal clinic yesterday and the doctor I saw knew nothing about Strep B! Unbelievable, considering that it seems to be one of the main causes of neonatal death! Many Thanks again.