Group B Strep

[SamP]

Hi, I'm sixteen weeks pregnant and have just been diagnosed with Group B Strep bacteria. Has anybody else had this or can anybody give me any information on how this could affect my baby? This is my first pregnancy and I'm a little panicky!

Hi, SamP, I have also been diagnosed with Group B this pregnancy. I contacted www.gbss.org.uk and they sent me some excellent information.
There are lots of Mumsnet threads on GBS if you do a search.
Have your midwives told you anything about Group B?

SamP, I was diagnosed as having Group B Strep at 13 weeks (now 23) after bleeding & having an emergency scan, I'm also in the same boat as you, first baby so I can understand why you feel panicky!

I was extremely concerned cos all I got was a letter from the hospital saying I had Strep B and what to do when I went into labour, but I spoke to my midwife who was very reassuring. She explained that Strep B is very common (I think something like 25% of women carry it - not sure )and the chances of it affecting the baby are extremely low.

Lie Dinny, I would definetley recommend gbss.org.uk, and also suggest speaking to your midwife if you feel happy doing that.

Bottom line is, please don't worry too much.

Thank-you for your replies dinny and Janos. I have spoken to my midwife who was reassuring but I was in too much of a panic to ask any real questions at the time. I will definitely be checking out the suggested web site and checking the rest of mumsnet.

Hi SamP. If its any consolation, I'm group b strep too, and have had 2 perfectly healthy boys. When I had ds1 I hadn't been diagnosed, so had no antibiotics during labour, and ds2 arrived too quickly for me to be given any.
Basically, don't worry too much, just make sure that the midwife who actually delivers your baby knows that you'll need IV antibiotics. If the labour ward is busy, make sure you remind her just in case he/she forgets! I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine - good luck!

SamP
I have had a ds and a dd (17 months apart), and both of them are healthy and had problem free deliveries. I have only just been diagnosed with Group B Strep - swab taken when I had a smear test. My doctor said there was very little to worry about - the only complications would occur during delivery. A lot of people carry it without getting any symptoms at all. So don't worry too much. At least they now know you are a carrier and they can monitor you. I have friends who had it and they had to go into hospital as soon as they went into labour, so they could be put onto antibiotics. Both had healthy, bouncing babes! Best of luck with your pregnancy, and try not to worry