Group B strep - Can I still have water birth?

[cuffyj1]

Not got it at the moment but been picked up on a swab in the past. I've been told i'll need antibiotics when in labour but was hoping for a water birth is it still poss?

as far as i know, yes it is. its IV antibiotics every 4 hours so no reason why you shouldnt.

Im group b strep too, but not planning a water birth - love my epidurals too much!

have had this- could have had a water birth but chose to come out of the bath when having dd3.

In our unit women can still have a waterbirth.

these guidelines are really helpful

I'm not good with pain so i'll probably end up havin epidural anyway.

It's my 1st baby so I don't know the pain yet?

Sorry can I just ask a quick question? How do you know if you have it? Do you get tested at any point? Or can I get tested if I ask? Sorry a few questions!!

Hi Popadopalis, not sure if they test 4 it they just told me at ante-natal check that it had been detected in a past swab, i'd never even heard of it.

i had a swab taken for recurrent thrush and it was picked up on there, you can get tested but you have to pay (about £36 i think) but it does come and go apparently. You may have it on a swab, but when it comes to delivery, it could have gone! You just dont know!

If it is detected, they have a duty to take the right precautions. After my MW appointment today, i now have very fetching yellow stickers all over my notes saying GROUP B STREP POSITIVE IV ANTIBIOTICS DURING LABOUR

Hi Cuffyj1, have a quick look at this thread for some good links, or search the archives under Pregnancy and Childbirth.

I'd heard that if you want a waterbirth you just have to get out during the time the IV antibiotics are being administered and can then get back in. Just have to keep your wrist out of the water.

I've read somewhere that women are tryin to get as a routine test in pregnancy because it is very common but as jessicaandbumpsmummy says it comes and goes and has no symptoms so is hard to detect all the time.

Thanks for the info. I'll speak to my midwife and see what she says.

Ive been tested positively for it in the past also. Spoke to MW this a.m. and seemingly at Kingston hosp they test you when your waters break??? Same reason because it comes and goes there is no point in testing too early!
Has anyone else delivered at Kingston and been tested?

But the NHS use a test which is only 50 accurate! The private test is the only which is 100%.

Here are the current RCOG guidelines which make interesting reading

mrow, I've also heard that it takes a couple of days for the NHS result to come in (same for private test) so it's pointless taking a swab during labour..! I did the private one at 36wks and will repeat at 39wks if I make it that far, an extra expense but I really want to avoid the AB's if we can.

How do you go about getting tested privately? Im 39 weeks today. Baby due next Thurs!!..do you think Ive left it too late?

Hi mrow, I got my test from The Doctors Laboratory as suggested by GBSS - here . If you email them today you should get a kit in a few days. I did the sample myself (with dh's help) and sent it straight back, you don't necessarily need a health prof to do it for you. I'm repeating the test at 39wks and hope the results come back before baby appears! Good luck!

forgot to say I rang them up for the result since the post was so slow and they were happy to give it to me over the phone. Waited for the 'official' paperwork to arrive a few days later and put in my notes.

Thanks for that, really helpful. I'll see what I can do. Good luck with the baby!!