Bstrep - thoughts on private testing??

[flopsybunny45]

Hi there -

Cannot decide whether to send off my bstrep tests to the lab or not... it seems a little hit/miss as to whether they can actually detect it being an issue and yet I'm worried I'll seriously regret not doing it... agh!

Any opinions would be appreciated... I am almost 38 weeks so need to decide fairly pronto!

Thanks,
x

The NHS doesnt offer any tests that are sensitive to rule out strep so if you have tested positive before they will always treat you as positive.

You need a private test for a definite negative result. I think if you go to GBSS org or something along that line. Its about £35

Not quite sure if that answers your question. As not sure if you have tested positive before or not

I've just ordered my Strep B test for this pregnancy, having tested positive in my last pregnancy and having had IV antibiotics during my first labour. I have had an NHS swab done, but the NHS screening is not as sensitive as the private test, so my consultant has agreed that I can have antibiotics if my private test comes back positive (even if the NHS test is negative).

I think bodicea is correct though - the NHS would have offered me antibiotics regardless, given that I tested positive during my last pregnancy, but I am choosing to follow the Group B Strep guidelines and only have antibiotics if I test positive now (at just over 37 weeks). I do not (currently) have any of the other risk factors so am comfortable with this approach based on my research (which has mainly come from the fantastic Group Strep B charity).

For me personally, it is a no-brainer to be tested and have treatment if positive, but this is mainly because I know people who have unfortunately been badly affected by Strep B. Many people take the view that the risk is very low and therefore not worth investigating. I would take a look at the Strep B charity website which should give you enough info to decide what is the right decision for you.

I tested positive in my first pregnancy, always treated myself as positive as group b strep can be there one month and not the next. im now on my third baby and will have anti biotics in labour.
they didn't put me on a drip in my first labour as I delivered too quickly but they did take my sin away for an hour straight after delivery to give him the anti biotics which was really horrible because I didn't know when he was coming back and it felt like he had been gone for hours.

Thanks ladies for your thoughts... think I will send them off tomorrow.

I was swabbed during first labour. Had a very quick birth and was home the following day. It was only two days later I was told I had tested positive. I was devestated, but luckily all was well.

Second pregnancy and I was encouraged to have a homebirth. I was swabbed for gbstrep, which was negative and I had a wonderful homebirth.

Third pregnancy and another wonderful homebirth, with no concerns about gbstrep.

I have no idea why they didn't worry more about it. I remember being discouraged from testing as the results aren't very accurate. It's really difficult to get information from midwives, I found and it was difficult to understand.

Can anyone let me know what the test involves? I'm having it done but not quite sure what's being swabbed!!

PeriodMath, the NHS test is a high vaginal swab and the private test (which you do yourself or can ask your midwife/GP to do for you (but they may charge)) is a vaginal and rectal swap

'swab' not 'swap' - nobody wants a vaginal and rectal swap

Sorry to get graphic but what's "high vaginal"? Is it like a smear? Which leads me to ask, how high is the rectal thing?

Regretting this now....

Nhs swab was taken from just inside opening of vagina. Nothing like a smear. That was 7yrs ago though.

periodmath! The NHS swab that I had this week was a bit like a smear, with a speculum. The private one that I did last year was a low vaginal and (low) rectal swab .