Group Strep B?

[stopgap]

This is more of a moan, but I'd be happy to hear of experiences as well.

I'm in America, where this test is done as standard, and yesterday found out that I'm positive, which means getting to the hospital ASAP as soon as labour begins for iv antibiotics. As per my first birth, I had visions of labouring at home until practically the last minute, but this time will need to be at the hospital as soon as labour begins, and require both an iv and constant fetal heart monitoring, meaning I'll be all but immobile.

After an easy first birthand a quick one at thatI am utterly dreading this time round, as I'm also managing (poorly) gestational diabetes and Hashimoto's (successfully, thank goodness).

Are those really your only options (under your insurance, I guess).
It's a pain; there are much more important risk factors than being GBS+, but the American conventions are not to recognise that.
I suppose these things are sent to try us...

Strict hospital policy, I'm afraid. And they like to administer two doses of antibiotics within four hours, and I'm worried that I won't be able to get there in time, and shall then require a two-day stay.

And then there's the issue of how the antibiotics will affect the new baby's gut. My first son had horrific silent reflux for a year, and the thought of GI problems a second time round is weighing heavily on my mind...

Hiya, I had GBS and no problems. Was worried ab all the same things as you especially as I am prone to thrush after ABs but so far (3wks after birth) no issues. I did not need fetal monitoring (well until my waters went with heavy meconium) and spent the first half of my labour in birth pool. Is your hospital totally inflexible on that point?

They don't even have birth pools, Quodlibet. I gave birth in their birthing centre two years ago and had a wonderful experience, but this time, due to the GD, I'm risked out of the birthing centre and will be on the regular labour and delivery floor.

Because of the GD, my midwife has already told me that I'll be on the fetal heart monitor the whole time. And because of the GBS, I'll be on an IV drip for half an hour in early labour.

I am really dreading this labour experience.

I imagine in that system I would wait until the last possible second to get to hospital (assuming none of the important risk factors for GBS applied).

Hi Op

The fetal heart monitoring is obviously going to restrict your movement slightly but don't worry about the IV drip. I've had this in my 2 previous labours now and it's a really small and quick drip that you hardly notice. They try to get 2 doses in 4 hours apart but if they can't then (in the UK) they just put the baby on 12 hour obs. With all the things you have going on this pregnancy you will probably have to resign yourself to a slightly longer stay after the birth so maybe you'll have to resign yourself to that now

Def better to have the IV tho, trust me! My dc2 was infected by the strep b (didn't know I carried it at that point) and he was very very ill and had to stay in special care for a week on IV antibiotics.

It's always a shame to have your birth plans taken out of your hands but after 4 dc now, I've come to realise that they're all different, anything can happen before, during or after birth and you just have to go with the flow and concentrate on the best interests of you and your baby.

Good luck!

I understand it is a complete pain OP and I do feel sorry for the adjustment to your planned birth. I had to have the antibiotics and monitoring due to GBS with my twins' births but still managed to have a relaxed wonderful time (albeit highly medicalised).

However, although I understand your frustration, at least you are aware of this complication because they routinely test for it in America. I wish they did here because for every inconvenienced birth they have potentially stopped a nightmare scenario. My DS contracted GBS Meningitis because I was not aware I was carrying the infection and had no risk factors present. I spent the first 3 months of his life in hospital with him and all I could do was blame myself for not being aware enough of GBS and then blaming the NHS for not routinely testing. He is now a wonderful 11yr old but he is disabled due to the complications of GBS infection in a newborn.

This was not meant to preach in anyway, sorry if it sounds that way, and I do agree it is a pain for you. However, at least you know and can plan to have the best birth possible for you, within these limitations. Interesting side note, my natural, non-assisted birth with DS was horrendous yet my medicalised, IV attached, monitored labour with the twins was a healing experience, so it is possible!

Good luck!