Strep B advice?

7 replies

Melliemulalula · 13/05/2016 23:06

Hi, I'm 39 weeks +2 & I've just tested positive for Strep B. I had a swab taken last week as I'd mentioned to the midwife about having more discharge than usual & she thought it would be best to send it off to check it. My urine sample came back clear, but my swab didn't. I'm absolutely deverstated to have it. I know a little about it from speaking to my midwife & researching but I was wondering is there anyone out there who has it? Had it in pregnancy or has any advice etc? I'm scared I really am. I'm scared somethings going to happen to our baby. I know I'll have to have antibiotics during labour...but what if it's too late? or I labour too fast & don't have time. I know they are all what ifs & I can't control what happens but I know no one who's had it or has it & was just looking to write it down somewhere & try & understand it. This is our first pregnancy & a much wanted one, we are so excited to have our baby girl & we are so close (I'm 2cm dilated, but have been for the last 2 weeks with no signs of anything yet.) but I feel like we're so far away now. I know I'm just going on but I just needed too. Any advice or experience would be great to hear. Thank you for letting me just go on. I really appreciate it.

Melissa X

OP posts:

Pagetta · 14/05/2016 07:14

Hiya
I had it last pregnancy and for me it meant that

went into hospital when contraction were 5 mins apart instead of 3
hooked up to anti Bs for labour
no water birth allowed

It does sound scary but it is just a precautionary measure to protect baby and it really is pretty straightforward .
They actually stopped testing for it routinely as felt many women were having uneccesary treatment. I haven't even had the test this pregnancy!

One tip I'd say is, just because you are hooked up to anti Bs don't feel you have to lay in bed - you CAN move and be upright with it on.

Good luck hun I'm sure all will be fine! Sounds like baby nearly here now! X

weaselwatcher · 14/05/2016 07:19

My labour was too fast only got the first dose of antibiotics. Me n ds2 had to stay in hospital 48 hours after birth while he had the second dose. He's a perfectly healthy 2 1/2 year old now X

Imfinehowareyou · 14/05/2016 07:22

My labour was too fast and I didn't get any antibiotics. My baby had to have them instead so we stayed in hospital for 2 days. All was fine.

Normandy144 · 14/05/2016 07:22

I had it in my first pregnancy and they didn't even bother re-testing me second time around, they just assumed I still had it and gave me the anti biotics anyway. I have to say though with all that goes on in labour it really was such a non event. They just hooked me up to the drip I think to give me them but I was still free to move around.

Consider yourself lucky that you got tested for it. As the previous poster said it is no longer a routine test but the consequences of having it and not knowing can be serious, so try looking at it that way.

WordGetsAround · 14/05/2016 07:23

The danger of strep b is when you don't know you have it. Now you know, everything can be put in place to ensure baby doesn't get it. Well done your midwife for following it up. Hope everything goes really well.

sammyjayneex · 14/05/2016 11:04

I had it in my 3rd pregnancy. I only found out AFTER baby was born because they 'found out I had it in my notes somewhere' so my daughter had to have antibiotics when she was born 'as a precaution'

Mummyme87 · 14/05/2016 18:03

Most hospitals will offer your IV antibiotics 4hourly in active labour. Most units you will be able to use birth centre and have a water birth. Probably offer 12-24hrs of obs for baby.

There is a cochrane review out now which shows there is no benefit to baby having antibiotics for GBS in labour. However this has not been implemented anyway I know yet

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