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Pregnancy

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

I have strep b and am now pregnant- what does this mean? What do I need to do (if anything)?

10 replies

dottytablecloth · 15/05/2014 09:46

They discovered I had strep b in my last pregnancy but no one really explained what it was or what to do.

I had a c section birth and that is why (I think) no one was too concerned.

My GP said about a year ago it was important to mention that I have strep b if I were ever to get pregnant again.

Am 10 weeks pregnant now so does anyone know what the implications are?

Who do I tell? Midwife at first scan? Consultant?

Hope someone will have experience of this they can share.

OP posts:
tiredbutstillsmiling · 15/05/2014 10:49

I too carry strep-B. DD was born at 36 weeks and stopped breathing 12 hours after birth. Was so scary!

I'm 28 weeks now and was told at my first consultant appointment that I'll be given antibiotics when labour begins and immediately after the birth.

Apparently what happened to DD was a 1 in 200 chance but they're not risking it again.

tiredbutstillsmiling · 15/05/2014 10:51

Oh and I told midwife at my first appointment but they knew and so did hospital from my records.

I have now a big sticker on my birth plan that tells the midwife who'll be assigned to me in labour to give me antibiotics!

CarCiKoTab · 15/05/2014 11:12

I also had Group B Strep with my third and I went on a rampage to find any information as I could as I too didn't get very much information on it. My midwife stuck an alert sticker on my notes and I was made to feel like I was HIV positive it was horrid!

You need to tell your midwife on your first appointment, the problem with GBS is that although one day you may be positive the next you will test negative and considering how serious it can be for the unborn child they do not routinely test for it in the UK only in the USA. Unfortunately opting for a C-section does not erase the risk of GBS on your unborn child hence why they should use IV anti-biotic's during labour, they aim to get at least one 4 hour dose in before the baby is born.

You need to make every person who you see aware just so they can treat you accordingly, although it doesn't cause for great concern unless your waters are to break prematurely i.e 48 hours before your labour starts as that can pose a threat to the baby.

The thing is even with antibiotics, it doesn't completely prevent it just decreases the chance of you passing it on and it only prevents early onset GBS which happens in the first 24 hours of birth usually and can be sorted quite effectively, there is a risk of late onset which usually comes about within 2 weeks and anything up to 3 months but late onset GBS at 3 months is quite rare.

I had IV antibiotics with my third and my waters broke at 9cm dilated which in my eyes was the best possible outcome as she was born about 5 minutes after my waters went. I was scared at the time but with this pregnancy I'm currently 17 weeks I feel fine about it, just do your homework avoid the horror stories unfortunately they are out there but my labour was fine, in fact it was the best I had out of all three!

GBS is common affecting 30% of women in the UK, you don't carry any symptoms and strep throat is completely different not to be confused with strep A e.t.c e.t.c. Baby can get GBS from your amniotic fluid rare but can happen, usually baby will contract it through the birth canal.

Hope this has helped. You will be fine it's a 1 in 200 chance your baby will get GBS and they will keep you in for 24 hours for monitoring to ensure all is well but my experience is only positive.

All the best.

bakingtins · 15/05/2014 11:56

gbss.org.uk/ for info and support.

I have a friend whose first baby was infected and was v poorly, though thankfully made a full recovery (she didn't know she was a carrier) In subsequent labours she had iv antibiotics in labour, baby was kept in for a few days to be monitored, fine in both cases.

flymo79 · 15/05/2014 14:29

what I can't work out from any of the websites is how you can get a test and when? is there any point in being tested unless your waters break early? not sure I fully understand, am reluctant to ask midwife as they seem to toe the party line and I just get a bland response to most of my concerns (i.e. don't worry about it, small risk etc)

hayesgirl · 16/05/2014 12:27

I had GBS in previous pregnancy. Different NHS Trusts have different policies on it but essentially consensus seems to be anti biotics during labour and then monitoring of baby for at least 24 hours for signs of infection.

If you have c-section you won't need anti biotics for this or monitoring of baby because it is only transmitted via vaginal delivery as that is where the GBS bacteria live. Doubt they will give elective section just because you were pos for GBS in last pregnancy though.

flymo79 · 16/05/2014 14:58

Does anyone know how you get a test for it though?

hayesgirl · 16/05/2014 15:05

When I was worrying about my midwife said that if I go to her and complain of a strange discharge nod nod wink wink she would take a swab and it will automatically be tested for it anyway. It was also picked up in my first pregnancy from a urine test when I thought I had a UTI.

bakingtins · 16/05/2014 15:27

flymo test is available privately for £35 from

The Doctor’s Laboratory* Tel: 020 7307 7373 (or Text ‘GBS’ to 88020) www.tdlpathology.com/gbs
The Blood Testing Service Tel: 0800 756 6240 www.bloodtestingservice.co.uk
Blue Horizon Medicals Tel: 0800 098 8751 www.bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk
Medichecks Tel: 0845 602 9029 www.medichecks.com
Medisave Tel: 0871 288 4380 www.medisave.co.uk
Group B Strep Test www.groupbstreptest.co.uk
Well Woman and Baby Room Tel: 07913 208149 www.wellwomanandbabyroom.co.uk
MedLab Pathology (Republic of Ireland) Tel: 1800 303 349 www.medlabpathology.ie

They send you a test pack , you post off the swabs (which you can take yourself or ask MW to do it) at 35-37 weeks pregnant, they text you a result. Have only used the Doctor's Lab but it was v straightforward.

flymo79 · 19/05/2014 09:23

thanks SO much everyone!

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