Group B Strep - Experience?

[Chooster]

Hi - I'd just like some advise if any has experience with Group B strep.

I had problems with my last pregnancy which I eventually lost at 21 weeks. During all the tests I had they found that I was positive for Group B strep. It was not relevant to the issues at the time so I didn't give it any more thought.

I mentioned the result to my midwife (am curerntly 26 weeks) and she called me back to say she's spoken to a consultant who said that if wanted to be treated with antibiotics after my waters have broken then I can but its my choice. She said the only implication is that I'll need to stay in hospital after my waters break. I will do some research on the web as well but just wondering if anyone has any advise / experience? I was kind of hoping for a recommendation from the midwife / consultant.

Thanks girls- I will mention to the MW next time I go and see her. XX

Hillls, Interesting to hear you say that once you are positive you are always positive. I was told that you can test positive then test negative sometime later on. I know from earlier on in this thread that you are right though, and you always do have it. Perhaps my MW was refering to the inaccuracy of the NHS test?

I was tested for loads of things after giving birth to my last baby at 21wks and GBS was just one thing done. I'm pretty sure at the time I wasn't advised to mention it when pregnant again and my current MW says they can't locate my NHS notes from my last pregnancy . Anyway, I digress.... I'm just surprised that there is so much conflicting info out there. Thanks to MN though I've got some good websites to look at.

If I had known about a test for GBS I would have had it and do believe that it should be done with all the other tests etc that you have to have. I always thought that I had read up on everything (didn't think I knew everything of course but tried to be as informed as poss) however was proved horribly wrong when I gave birth to my second baby last year.

I was induced, I was very overdue. My waters went and I spent the afternoon walking around, my DH went home early evening. I began to feel very very cold and ill and alerted the midwife. With a temperature over 100 I was taken to birthing suite and given antibiotics. They wanted to monitor me, I wanted to see my baby and asked for a section - best decision I have ever made. We were in hospital for 8 days, I had had a heavy colonisation of GBS and was 'very lucky'. My DS was given precautionary antibiotics at first when they found out how bad I had been they gave him a lumber puncture and more antibiotics. By their swift action my DS didn't get anything. I think everyone should also be aware that not all hospitals will take this precautionary approach and give antibiotics some will just monitor the baby and see what happens. I guess it depends on how you feel about this, I am very glad that they just did it, very happy with how they took the time to help us understand what was happening, the hospital were great.

Oh Aintnomountain, thats awful!! So sorry to hear you went through all this but so pleased that it all worked out for you in the end. To think it could all have been avoided had you been offered the test earlier on.