Strep B - No check whatsoever

[lubella]

I was at my Ante Natal class last night and the MW for my hospital told me they did not check women at any stage for Strep B due mainly to cost. I find this really bad, she got quite cagey and I could tell she did not want to go into it.

Is there anything I can do? can I organise to pay for it privately?
Would really appreciate all comments/ thoughts on this.

You can do it privately - its not expensive i dont think - iirc it is about £30.

I had mine done on the NHS when I had severe thrush during pregnancy as it came up on the usual swap.

I feel a bit gutted I know Im a carrier now because it means that regardless of whether I am carrying the virus in my next pregnancy, I will still have to have the antibiotics in labour.

Rebecca tested positive for group b strep after birth, but didnt show any signs of the infection so did not need any antibiotics herself.

thanks for the quick response, that is good news.
So at what stage should I ask for the test? and do they perform it at the GP surgery?

I would say about 34 weeks - thats whn mine was.

I think you may need to contact GP surgery to discuss further with them?! Not sure if they will do it or refer you elsewhere.

You can go private but the thing is it can show up negative when you do have it, it's not accurate. Once you have tested postive though you always have it but it can change from one week to the next with the test.

I see - it is quite confusing

our region is piloting a urine test. Cheaper than culturing from fanjo swabs. My friend was picked up with this.

The Group B Strep support website is very helpful the address is www.gbss.org.uk

The private test is more accurate - I can't remember why exactly but the test is slightly different. I didn't ask my GP for the test I told him I wanted to be tested and ignored his negative comments. I had the NHS one and it came back positive. If it had come back negative I would've had to decide whether or not to go for the more accurate private test. I think the test is best performed after 35 weeks - it can come and go so you don't want to be tested too early.