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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Strep B

8 replies

juniper9 · 25/07/2013 13:31

Has anyone else been told they have this / have any experience of this?

I found out yesterday that my urine sample has tested positive. Haven't had a chance to talk to my midwife yet.

From what I've read, it means both baby and I will need an IV drip of antibiotics during and after labour, and baby will need to be kept in to be monitored.

OP posts:
MortifiedAdams · 25/07/2013 13:37

I tested +ve for Streb B during the early stages of my pregnancy. The first thing the MW told me was not to google.

I have since found out that the NHS doesnt routinely test for it, as ot comes and goes, and as much as 50% of women could have it at some point durong their pg and delivery.

As I say, it comes and goes, so may even be gone at delivery but its best (imo) to take the drip in labour as a precaution. I got a weeks dose of antibiotics at about 36 weeks to clear any possible infection, however in labour they swabbed me and it was present.

They give antibiotics every four hours in labour to keep the baby safe from.the infection while in the birth canal, but the baby shouldnt need any after delivery. They kept me in two nights but we werent any more closely mo.itorwd than any other new mother.

gatsby79 · 25/07/2013 16:09

I knew I had this as a routine gynaecologist appointment flagged it up before I was even pregnant. Mentioned it to my gp when I told him I was pregnant and he totally dismissed me! He said it made no difference and just to forget about it. So I did but now I'm really worried!

Breadrollsbuns · 25/07/2013 16:14

Hi, I tested positive for Strep B with DS1. Because I'm allergic to penecillin, I only had to have one dose of IV antibiotics in labour, as the non-penecillin alternative doesn't need to be topped up - but I understand that the standard anti-biotics may need to be topped up every 4 hours. They leave the canula in in any event, so I doubt that would be an issue.

DS1 didn't need any antibiotics and I went home the next day as planned as they said that 12 hours of monitoring was sufficient. By 'monitoring', they didn't do anything other than occasionally check on us (which I assume they would do anyway??) so it was very managable.

Try not to worry about it, I was a bit worried TBH but it was fine.

Breadrollsbuns · 25/07/2013 16:16

I should add that the only guidance I was given was to mention the fact that you're Strep B positive when you call the labour ward as they may want you to come in slightly earlier to get the anti-biotics.

ChristineDaae · 25/07/2013 16:24

I had it when I was having DD. had the dual cannula in as I was induced, they just topped antibiotics every 4 hours. I don't know if if was to do with the time between waters breaking and having baby (14 hrs) but DD did have to have antibiotics 'just in case' until her bloods came back. And we were stuck in for 3 days because she came on a Saturday and the labs close for the weekend....

ChristineDaae · 25/07/2013 16:25

Gatsby how far are you? If you know you have it I would ask them to check closer to your due date. It may well have moved, but if not there's a (small) chance it can really endanger your baby during labour.

gatsby79 · 25/07/2013 17:10

I'm only 9 weeks so plenty of time. I'm glad I've found out its something I should mention though, and not just forget about!

workingonitagain · 26/07/2013 21:14

where I live they never test you for it in pregnancy. years ago I had thrush and went the the gp who did a few tests including step B and it came back positive I've had 2 pregnancies since and they never re tested me for it just put a bright orange sticker on my notes to say I have it. I was induced last time at 10 am and by 10 pm and still not had any antibiotics as they said I wasn't in labour but then I gave birth just after 12 am so by the time they gave me the antibiotics It didn't have time to go through me so when my baby was born, and as it was such a fast delivery he had some water left in his lungs so they weren't sure if that was because of the fast delivery or because of a beginning of infection from strep B so had to stay in hospital for 4 days while his tests came back and completed antibiotics....
when I asked the consultant if this time when I go into hospital could I have the antibiotics a bit earlier basically he said they won't waste it on me unless im in proper labour even tho likely to be a fast labour again...
anyway in the grand scheme of things it's a big issue.. good luck x

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