Group B strep & antibiotics while pregnant

[Gooseisloose]

During my 20 week appointment my midwife told me she was testing for group b strep as I had this during my last pregnancy. I'm a bit confused as I received a letter this morning saying I tested positive and a prescription for antibiotics.

During my last pregnancy I was under the care of a different hospital and I also tested positive but was told not to worry as I would be giving an IV drip of antibiotics once I went into labour and there was nothing to do for the infection during the pregnancy as the infection is inclined to come back anyway. Why would I have been giving antibiotics this time around? I'm 21 weeks and if it's inclined to come back it surely will by my due date!

I'm not liking the thought of taking antibiotics for an unneeded reason or if it will come back anyway! But at the same time I would hate to think not taking the antibiotics could be damping in some way?

I'm currently 29 weeks with DC2. When I was pregnant with DD1 I tested positive for Group B strep and was given course of antibiotics. When in labour, I was also given an IV drip of antibiotics.

This time around, one of the 1st things I was told at my 10 week check-in was that it would be assumed I was still carrying it and would automatically have to go on the IV drip again when I go into labour this time (at least I know what to expect this time!).

Have no idea whether I do actually have it still.......

Perhaps it reduces the overall load? It can be quite nasty, if you are unlucky.

If it's GBS in urine you should have antibiotics, if on a swab there is no evidence that oral antibiotics will do anything to help. IV antibiotics will be advised in labour to help prevent transferring to baby. However, current evidence suggests that iV antibiotics in labour don't reduce or prevent neonatal death from GBS