What's the view on group b strep tests these days?

[PrincessOfWails]

Just wondering. My FIL is an idiot retired bacteriologist who kindly told me I was not at risk because it's only in lower class families (eh??) and is not routinely tested (true, but is that necessarily for the right reasons??).
I, however, do not want to put my baby at risk of anything preventable, and this seems like a small price to pay really.

I had no idea about strep B or how serious it was, but the hospital I delivered at obviously do know about it and take it seriously. I had a c section and they tested me, I was positive (fairly middle classish I guess) and my baby was on anti-biotics as a preventative treatment. Luckily, this meant I now have a healthy happy child who had no illness.

I am really sorry to hear your story Mollie - thank you very much for sharing it. I hope the future holds brighter things for you! x

I have been reading the count the kicks thread and again here is another simple bit of information that does not seem to be part of the UK's standard care for new mums. I am realising how important Mumsnet is in being a sensible source of information and guidance - If I was not logging on here I would not know about any of these things. It makes me frustrated and let down by the NHS. I had to see the consultant after my 5min 12 week scan and I tried to discuss my worries about Downs , ( I am 39), and she was completely dismissive of it all - no point in discussing it until I got my results back - she clearly wanted me out of there - same response from my midwife. I have had to field the whole of that experience by myself, financially and emotionally. My midwife did not take a blood sample or urine sample from me until I was over 14 weeks. All in all I am not feeling as if I have confidence in the NHS system.

Is it not routine? My GP told me I'd get tested later on in pg, I'd actually never heard of it and definitely didn't ask about it.

My antenatal NHS care was decidedly average. However ds's care was world class. It was NHS doctors that saved his life. It was NHS doctors who treated his various developmental problems even though ds has had private insurance since birth. I've only used it once and that was to see a particular paediatric orthopedic surgeon. Ds is nearly 7 now and in excellent health. You'd never know what he went through and how rough the first 4.5 years were!

Jill I hope your care improves but don't judge all the NHS on this. My midwife was so horrible I didn't bother to tell her when I went into premature labour and she didn't bother to visit me until ds was 3 days old despite being based in the same hospital. She never visited ds in SCBU and said she could strike me off her list as there was no way that ds would be home within the two weeks that she was supposed to do home visits!

Does anyone know of any clinics where they will do the test privately for you? Have had a look on the internet to no avail... don't fancy doing the test myself but would want it done ...

Mollie -thank you for replying :) I know that there are of course lots of excellent docs and midwives all doing their best - I worry that the system they operate in may not be in the best 'health'!!! This is my first baby at a late age and I just feel that the people I have encountered so far in the NHS do not seem overly bothered about my concerns and I feel frustrated about policies that do not seem to be in my or my baby's best interest!!! grrr! I hope that my experience improves!!

Scmaffy - I put a link to the support group earlier in the thread - it tells you where to go

Jill I was 39 when I had ds. I had the pregnancy from hell and my midwife couldnt have cared less (I was hospitalised at every hospital antenatal appointment I had). I never saw the same obstetrician twice. The midwives who delivered ds were, fortunately, excellent but I do recall having a lot of worries throughout my pregnancy not helped by it bring my first experience of NHS care.

I don't know where you are but I paid for additional scans at the Fetal Medicine Centre in Harley street, London. Very reassuring. I had a 13 week and 20 week scan there. Fortunately I had my 20 week scan a few days before my NHS scan - where they reported to my GP that my baby was dead (a clerical error apparently). Both NHS scans were pretty poor.

I am 38+5 today and I asked the consultant at my 37+5 appointment if I could pay to have it done privately. She said she could never deprive me of something that she would absolutely insist on doing for herself and did the swab then and there. I felt really happy she took me seriously. Should clearly be routinely tested, esp since the cost is nominal and the implications are huge.

I got a message from midwife saying that I had thrush 3 days later!! Have done the pessary/cream business as I had no idea. Now worried about this instead. sigh

Edited to say, she did it free on the NHS.

I hadn't heard of GBS until I got a letter from the hospital at the weekend telling me I'd tested positive for it. I don't even recall the midwife telling me it was one of the tests they did at my booking appointment! From Mumsnet threads I've found out more info and the link to the support group is great. I was really freaked out by the leaflet enclosed with my letter (headline on front cover is 'GBS is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies in the UK' )

I'm only 12 weeks so assume I'll be tested again much later on in my pregnancy plus I feel much better informed to ask questions at my next appointment.

I can't believe it's not a routine test for all pregnant women and will be sending that letter on to add my support for broadening the range of ante-natal care options available to all women.

I was diagnosed with Strep B five days after giving birth to DD1 (was still in hospital for other reasons). Spent the next 10 days on intravenous antibiotics and the next three months pretty worried there was something wrong with my baby (the drs told me I would "just know" which was really reassuring to a first-time mum...). Please get yourself tested!