Talk to me about Group B Strep...

[SaggyOldPregnantCatpuss]

I tested positive last spring, and was prescribed antibiotics, but Ive heard it can come back.
How does the chance of getting it again affect my PG and prospective birth. Will it restrict my choices regarding location for the birth, and what occurs?

I've tested posative for it in the last 4 swabs over last 7 month, I'm now 12 weeks pregnant I mentioned it to my midwife, strep b does come and go so its likely that they will test you later on in pregnancy see if its present in the vagina, if it is they put you on I.v antibiotics whilst in labour to stop baby from contracting it. I don't think its constant though so should not affect too much how you wish to give birth, but don't mark my words on it lol cause I wasnt tested in my last 2 pregnancys so gave birth normally then, and midwife hasn't informed me too much yet of what will 100% happen, just that Il need some I.v ab xx

I had Strep B. I found out by sending off a sample to a private lab, cost about £30.
I had to have antibiotics by IV in labour which I was given as soon as my waters broke. The IV limited meant I was unable to move around really and I was told I wouldn't be able to use the pool or anything. I planned to have my baby in a hospital so not sure of what happens if you want to have baby elsewhere. Not sure if this is helpful!
You might be able to have antibiotics before labour but can still reoccur, best to ask your MW, hopefully she will be able to advise.

I sent the swab to a private lab as wasn't offered a test on nhs btw.

I tested positive w/both of my pregnancies. My doctor at the time said that he doesn't bother prescribing antibiotics as it can come back, like you mentioned in your post. Instead, they put me on antibiotics via my IV before the delivery. The standard (at least as of 2010 in the US) is to be on antibiotics for at least 4 hours before delivery. With DS1, no problem as he was induced. However, w/DS2, my delivery was too quick and we didn't make it to 4 hours. We simply stayed an extra night at the hospital since they wanted to ensure he was fine (which he was).

I found out that I had Strep B after the birth of DD1, so when I was in labour with DD2 i was given antibiotics - as tablets. They didn't seem to concerned about it and said I could still have given birth at home if I'd wanted to. They did say that even if you test negative to Strep B, (e.g. if you are tested at 30 weeks,) having previously been a carrier it could come back again by the time you give birth so they preferto give antibiotics just in case.

I really want a water birth!

If they give the antibiotics as tablets where you're planning on giving birth you'll be all right then - presumably it depends on the hospital?

Lots of information about Strep B on the Group B Strep Support's website at www.gbss.org.uk for those who are interested in more information :)

I had this at the end of my last pregnancy and had to have IV antobiotics throughout labour, which meant no birthing pool. I have just got the results back for this pregnancy (I'm 38 wks) and don't have it now. I had a private test done this time through the website given by Lovely.

Hi Op
i was tested years ago as had thrush and never tested since but was told that once you have it, during pregnancy they'll just assume you have it and won't test you again.
when i went into labout with ds2 they give you anitiobitcs every 4hrs but as labour was so quick, it never had the chance to go through my system so when ds2 arrived, they put him on antibiotics as he had a bit of a fast breathing and kept thinking it might be the infection he cought by coming through me but it turned out it was nothing. It never affected anything during my pregnancy apart from having a bright sticker on my notes. Good luck

At my hospital last year a positive Strep B status did not rule out a water birth. They said they'd do something clever with a plastic bag. I think different places might have different policies. So don't rule it out automatically!